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Original poster

ASD assessment process

14 replies

Dracarys1 · 22/05/2024 14:17

We're in the process of having DD7 assessed for autism. Someone I'm acquainted with said they had to agree to have a social worker in order to get an assessment for their DS. Is this an automatic part of the process? I'm aware some parenting courses will be recommended if she's diagnosed but the social worker comment has surprised me. Her school SENCo is dealing with the referral and hasn't mentioned this aspect to me. Thanks in advance for any input.

OP posts:
spanieleyes · 22/05/2024 14:37

Never heard of this before!
I'm sure Social services have enough on their hands without having to be involved in every assessment for ASD!

Sprinkles211 · 22/05/2024 14:42

Absolutely not! I don't think there would be enough social workers in the country just to cover children undergoing diagnosis. 3 children diagnosed at different ages no social service involvement.

Lindy2 · 22/05/2024 14:43

No you don't normally have a Social Worker involved in an ASD assessment. I would imagine that the other family are having difficulties associated with the ASD and Social Services are involved to help with that aspect.

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Original poster
Dracarys1 · 22/05/2024 14:51

Thank you so much. That's reassuring. I've stupidly been feeling quite anxious about it.

OP posts:
Justploddingonandon · 22/05/2024 14:55

No, though the doctor who did our assessment did recommend it as they can be useful for giving other services a kick up the arse and just knowing what's available. In our case it was more due to the associated challenging behaviour and she has been useful, although would've been more useful if it hadn't taken six months between referral and getting assigned a social worker.

Singleandproud · 22/05/2024 15:08

In my area children with ADHD and other conditions have a disability social worker, this is a completely different team to safeguarding. They are there to support the child and family, arrange young carers groups for siblings or respite if necessary / available. I haven't heard of autistic children having one and D does not however it wouldn't be a bad thing and will allow parents to be signposted to additional services easier.

Twolittleloves · 22/05/2024 15:26

Certainly not! I work in a social care role and also have a DD7 well into going through the assessment process....that is definitely not a thing.

SapphireGood · 22/05/2024 16:03

Definitely not. In my case the GP, the teacher and I all filled in a very long form, it got sent off to the NHS autism assessment service in our area, we later received a letter saying the paperwork met the criteria for child to be added to the waiting list for an assessment. 2 years later had the assessment.
At no point were social services involved.
It may be different if there is particularly challenging behaviour that you feel you can't cope with or someone is in danger because of it maybe??

Original poster
Dracarys1 · 22/05/2024 16:24

SapphireGood · 22/05/2024 16:03

Definitely not. In my case the GP, the teacher and I all filled in a very long form, it got sent off to the NHS autism assessment service in our area, we later received a letter saying the paperwork met the criteria for child to be added to the waiting list for an assessment. 2 years later had the assessment.
At no point were social services involved.
It may be different if there is particularly challenging behaviour that you feel you can't cope with or someone is in danger because of it maybe??

No definitely not the case, more extreme social immaturity and anxiety. Nothing that endangers anyone. It was more that I think she is probably on the autistic spectrum and I'm worried she might struggle more with school and life the older she gets so I want her assessed so she will have the support if and when it's required. The school senco is supportive of this decision. Good to see that it doesn't appear to be the standard process.

OP posts:
SapphireGood · 22/05/2024 21:32

Those were exactly my child's issues, and reasons for me deciding to assess too.
Good luck with it. It's no big deal, the assessment wasn't too daunting.

johnd2 · 22/05/2024 21:40

My experience so far is there are a lot of different people who get involved, from inside the school eg senco, local authority, and NHS. It's very confusing but we just literally bite their hand off whoever wants to offer us support we take it without thinking about who it is.
We haven't had anything from social services but if they think they can help then great we are ready to listen.
Good luck on your journey.

VelvetTurtle · 22/05/2024 21:46

No, my sister did try to tell me if your child is diagnosed with autism they go on a "child in need" plan but this isn't true I don't know why people say this stuff we've never had ss involved.

NewName24 · 22/05/2024 22:13

Oh, how I wish there were enough social workers for this to even be considered as an idea.

Avie29 · 22/05/2024 22:21

Hey ive been through asd assessment process twice, once through doctors/health visitor and once through school and neither way were ss involved xx

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