What happens at an assessment?

[Mysweaterisonbackwardsandinsideout]

My DS3 has been referred to community paediatrics for an assessment which is in June. I suspect he’s autistic.

Can anyone tell what the process is? I presume there are a few appointments where he’ll be observed in different settings. Do they refer to other services and do they follow up in a few year to see any changes?

Thanks and sorry if these are silly questions. I’m new to all of this and feeling anxious about it all.

Also are the community paediatricians the people that can diagnose or is that another role later on down the process?

I’m following this thread. We are in a similar boat. Primary aged son being profiled for neurodiversity by the school. The SENDCO said he displays a lot of traits that remind her of her autistic son when he was the same age. So we are early on in the process of his needs being recognised & supported.

My DD has been with community paediatrics since she was 6, now 14. The first appointment was about an hour of me giving her history and observing her playing and interacting with me. The paediatrician then referred her to a range of specialists including speech and language therapist, CAMHS, audiology, endocrinology etc. They don’t diagnose as such but will prescribe eg melatonin for sleep difficulties. They will liaise with your GP and other services identified as being needed. The paediatrician really listened to my concerns for my DD and was holistic in her assessment. She also gave helpful parenting advice specific to my DDs needs.

After the initial appointment we had regular follow ups every 3/6 months. She kept in top of the various referrals and waiting lists, chased things up for me and as my DD has grown the paediatrician adjusted her care plans, made follow referrals.

Of all the services we’ve been involved in community paediatrics have been the most worthwhile in coordinating my DDs health needs and support needs. My DD now has an annual check in where issues are picked up and dealt with.

Hey@CornwallCoast what are the kinds of traits that have been picked up on? X

My daughter has had an ASD and ADHD assessment on the NHS.
Autism one, we met in a central hub. Chatted with a specialist nurse assessor for over an hour, both DD and me. Assessor then went to school and watched/ chatted with teachers. Traits but not enough for a diagnosis.
ADHD- just a chat in a central hub with a doctor. Then as findings were non conclusive, DD did a test on a computer. Waiting for follow up but think it’ll be ‘there are traits but not enough for a diagnosis’.
I couldn’t fault the thoroughness of either.

Thank you both. That’s really helpful.
My DS is showing more and more signs as he gets older (I know he’s still so little). He has a real lack of understanding so I think there’s a learning delay also. Not sure if that fits under autism or something else. He is globally delayed.

Stims when anxious or under pressure, struggles socially, uncomfortable in noisy environments, very picky on who is partner is, monotone voice, teacher says he can’t move onto other tasks easily and has certain rituals, chews clothes, emotional meltdowns at home (never school), teacher said he’s good at maths/subjects with black & white answers but finds things that involve more nuanced/ambiguity thinking is much harder. I’ve suspected a difference since he was 3 but I was always dismissed by teachers as he does well academically. However now that there are more demands of him it’s becoming more apparent. GP told me not to go through NHS route as waiting lists are 7 years and let the school deal with it… I now wonder if this is correct? How long have you been waiting?

@CornwallCoastsounds like you have a good list of reasons to justify wanting answers.

I suspected my DS from around 18 months but nobody else could see it. From about 2.5 people could see he wasn’t responding to his name or developing his speech. He does have loads of words and phrases but there’s no conversation and he’s doesn’t understand basic instructions. He sometimes lines toys up and he stims.

We requested an assessment via the NHS (not the right to choose) in December an have an appointment in June. I’m not sure how this has happened as we were told at least 33 months.

There seems such a huge difference in waiting times across the country. Although other people in my area have also been waiting years.