Autism assessment process - awaiting diagnosis

[britespark1]

My DS (7) has been through the Umbrella Pathway process which is basically what the autism assessment process is called in our area He has had all of his appointments and the final meeting with all of the professionals involved was on 19th June. I was advised I'd receive feedback within a week but have now been told today it will actually be within 4 weeks. The waiting and wondering is driving me mad although I always knew the process was drawn out. Just needed to moan really and ask if anyone knew a way I could hurry a response up out of them as I'm just so fed up of all of this :-(

I can understand your frustration. The wait times seem ridiculous to me. My Ds is 15 and is also in the pathway. He was referred last July by his school, saw the paediatrician in December and saw the speech and language therapist this week. She has told us that she can't tell us if he will get a diagnosis as it's not her decision. We now have to wait for another appointment with the paediatrician. Ds starts year 11 in September and I'm pretty sure he won't have a diagnosis by then.

It seems really unfair to these children to keep them waiting for so long. I can see why you are fed up.

Thanks for replying - I know there's nothing I can do really to get an answer any quicker but i'm just so frustrated. I had hoped to get an answer before school finished for the summer so that DS's new teacher would have an up to date idea of the situation before September, but that seems very unlikely now. Good luck with it all, hopefully you wont be waiting too long for the next appointment.

I actually complained about the length of time they were saying it would take now for feedback and I can't believe it but I had a phone call earlier and they confirmed it was believed DS has Aspergers. So stand your ground and dont take no for an answer.

Wow, so it sounds like they could have told you before now. I'm not sure why they have to take such a long time. Because Ds is 15, they almost want him to agree to a diagnosis before they give it. The speech therapist has told him to read up about autism and for us to give him some books. I asked to speak to the therapist without Ds for a few minutes as he finds it very difficult when his problems are discussed, she refused.

I'm pleased that they phoned you. Hope you feel ok after the call, as I guess it can still be difficult to hear even if you are expecting it. Goodness knows how long our wait will be, just fed up with it all now.