Autism / ADHD diagnosis via Zoom?!

[WhatEh]

I had heard this was happening on the news, but to be honest, I thought it must be a small, isolated amount of people…

However, upon speaking to my friend yesterday, it turns out it’s very common for the NHS to refer people for ‘remote’ diagnosis - her own DC just did their autism assessment over Zoom and was diagnosed!

I understand needing to reduce the waiting list and burden on the NHS. I can’t help feel this is totally inappropriate.

When my own DC was diagnosed with dual ASD and ADHD, so many things the psychologist picked up on were from physically seeing them. Differences in body language, eye contact, sensory differences (one of the things that alerted her was them taking their shoes off when they came in the room).

I just don’t understand how something as complex as ASD can be diagnosed over Zoom, especially when lots of the criteria relate to differences in body language and communication. I am not autistic and I communicate differently when doing a meeting in person vs online. They haven’t even met the person who they are diagnosing.

one with me and one with him no video call or visit, but like I said that was for an ehcp so not assessment.

What area are you in? Have I read this right, the waiting list is over a decade long for an ASD assessment for a child?

Took my Grandkids and daughter 6 weeks of weekly assessments at the centre here especially for ASD.
Grandkids we're only age 4 ish ( daughter age 30).

I don't know about autism (although honestly, the whole "eye contact" trope drives me mad - It's like it's this one magic bullet symptom and I know enough people who actually are deadling with ASD to know it's just ONE symptom, and not in any way consistent), but for ADHD, I think doing it online is a really good plan. ADHD is diagnosed mostly on reported behaviours, not single behaviours at a single session. Those reports are cross-checked against each other - parents, child, teachers etc. And the final "confirmation" as it were, is often how the child reacts to the medication and over a period of time.

Our psychiatrist doesn't need to see DS in a 45 minute session - he needs DS, our and (sometimes) teachers reports of DS' behaviour over a longer term. As we adjust meds, he's MOST interested in when we notice behaviour changing during the day as he assesses whether we need to increase the dose etc. So doing it online is a brilliantly effective tool to improve efficiency and get things done.

this is not good and makes a joke out of people who actually have autism

Bollocks.

With my friends DC, she said it was questionnaires (one for her, one for school). A 1 hour interview with her, and then a 1 hour interview with her DC.

This doesn’t sound rigorous to me to make an accurate diagnosis and recommendations for support. This is a school age child, and the psychologist has made school recommendations, having never witnessed the child in the school environment.

“The assessment was undertaken by videoconferencing. It is recognised that the
virtual nature of the assessment may present some nuances in presentation. Despite
this, virtual assessments are still considered to be a reliable method to undertaking
autism diagnostic assessments (Blackmore et al. 2023). The benefits for the person
in being in their own familiar environment helps to mitigate distress and lead to a
more comfortable experience.”

How do you think educational psychologists worked during Covid?!

I was diagnosed with autism online via Zoom.

I just got my ADHD diagnosis over zoom yesterday. Along with the first part of my Autism assessment.

The 2nd part for autism has to be in person.

Covid was an exceptional period in time; just because it happened in Covid doesn’t mean we should continue it long term.

The problem is, having a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily open up doors for extra support/hep unless it’s the severe end of the spectrum. Such is the shocking state of the available funding and support

Yes to the eye contact rubbish! My son has recently had his ASD confirmed and he can maintain eye contact but it was noted it was in quite an unusual way so like prolonged eye contact rather than limited!

Not the same but I was diagnosed with bpd by a psychiatrist I'd never spoken to before on the phone in under 30 minutes it was ridiculous now im labeled for life and people hate people with bpd the diagnosis has made my life harder and it's most likely not even accurate

I would 100 per cent challenge this

Was he male by any chance?

this doesn't sound unreasonable, depending on what's in the questionairres. But even if it IS lacking in depth analysis, this isn't about ZOOM, it's about the process.

We did it virtually. We started with a very detailed questionairre I had to fill in to explain why I was concerned, what I was looking for. Then we had a 90 minute session with me, DH and DS. Then we had to fill in lengthy questionairres on behaviours etc - me and DH, DS and the school. Then we got a very detailed report back and a 60 minute session to discuss it. Then regular updates while we trialled medication.

Not sure I agree. My DC diagnosis have been put on their EHCPs and I feel much better knowing that there is an actual diagnosis on there rather than just saying on pathway or potential whatever. In an I deal world support would be based on need alone but I think the system is that shot it doesn’t always work like that unfortunately.

Many females with a BPD diagnosis are actually autistic - I would really recommend going back to your doctor for a second opinion.

Doesn’t matter really, it was still conducted without children being physically seen. Even when the schools were open.

Why not, if it works just as well?

No it was actually a female but i completely understand why you thought it was male. I have tried to question it but they won't take it of. I'm 99% sure it's actually autism i have but I honestly can't be bothered going through the system and waiting lists when theirs no treatment at the end seems pointless. I'm in my 30s i just accept it is what it is.

My son was diagnosed over video calls. One was an in depth interview with us as parents, the other a series of questions and activities with him. This was in addition to pre assessment questionnaires and input from the school and Ed psychologist. The actual diagnosis wasn’t officially given until several weeks afterwards, once all the information had been assessed. It certainly wasn’t just there you go!

it worked well for him as he was more comfortable and able to express himself in his normal manner. We had a follow up in person appointment with CAMHS some time later in which he didn’t engage at all.

I definitely think it is autism but I'm in my 30s now so I just don't want the hassle it won't change anything, maybe it will make hcw be nicer to me but apart from that I'm not that bothered

I think for some virtual assessments work better and for others who may have a tricky presentation face to face is better.