Positives and Negatives of a diagnosis.

[english1]

I have been pushing for a diagnosis for my DC. Now I have received the letter for consent for the complex communication diagnosis, and I am having seconds thoughts. I dont want DC to be labelled and might affect him in future ( types of jobs he can do etc) to come and i know a DX would help open up support at least through school.

How much effect would a DX affect his future prospects - he is not borderline ASD/ADHD - the experts think for now.

Can a DX be kept through his lifetime?

Please give me your opinion.

I understand your reluctance to label him in case he becomes defined by it.

A good diagnosis is likely help you understand his learning problems and his learning strengths though, so that it is easier to play to his strengths and perhaps will provide strategies to help with the problems he faces.

Depending upon his problem he will also have extra time during public examinations, or a scribe or what ever it is that will help him reach his potential in the examinations.

Children may have their diagnosis shelved/removed/altered if it is no longer supporting their progress.

So I am in favour of diagnosis

So I am in favour.

His condition will affect him either way, diagnosis or not. He will still be the same person.

I am also in favour of diagnosis, it's the only way you can really get support, and if he needs support then he sould have it. I would have thought that getting the right support will increase his chances of good prospects.

Thanks Curlymama and jem44 for your positives comments. Anyone with any experiences of the cons.

I have a son with AS and having the dx has made a huge difference - not just in accessing support, but also to help him and his family understand his needs. It has meant that I've used parenting strategies that I wouldn't have considered if I hadn't known.

It's also allowed us to claim DLA, get support in school, get a SN dentist, respite care. Beyond school, I expect that he'll continue to get extra help in exams, Disabled Students Allowance, extra support in jobseeking (e.g. guaranteed interviews for disabled), protection from the DDA.

I myself have had longstanding MH issues and I've found that has had an impact on certain things - I expect that DS could have similar problems based on health questionnaires that I've seen. Some jobs will ask about any health/disability issues, even in the past, I know places like the army/police would rule me out (but that's not something that upsets me!), and it's sometimes been tricky getting life assurance/travel insurance. The DVLA, US (for visa entry) and jury service will also ask about health issues like that. In most cases, they won't automatically turn you down, but it could mean more paperwork or higher premiums.