Autism assessment expectations.

[Afrenchie]

My DS is just turning 2 and has been under the HV for 6 months under the GP for longer.
He has so a number of daily difficulties - minimal sleep, speech regression, minimal eye contact, constant spinning, hand flapping, clicking, jumping, walks on tip toes and has PICA. We have had some pre assessments and he has been referred to speech therapy and has weekly behaviour therapy he has now been referred to a pediatrician for Autism assessment (if the ped thinks he should) we have our first pediatrician apm coming up and I was wondering what other people’s experiences of the process have been and if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect. Thanks

How did you get on?
I think we are likely to be referred too.

Hi @livesimpledreambig after a deterioration of behaviour we were sent to see the paediatrician on an opening they had. They done an initial assessment and gave a Working diagnosis of Non verbal autism. Awaiting a panel assessment. It was pretty difficult trying wrangle my LO and listen time the outcome (as DH wasn’t allowed in- hospital rules COVID) but the ped team have been helpful so far. The only thing I find is the other departments that see my LO really aren’t as understanding. They made him have a hearing test due to his complete lack of response. We had to pre warn about his difficulties and they said it was fine, after driving all the way there and attempting tests they said because he didn’t respond they couldn’t do the Test - frustrating. But we are on the journey now and having input from lots of services. I have never been one to chase but that’s honestly the advise I would give in these cases. Keep shouting until someone hears you. My LO wasn’t due to be seen for a year and yet he was seen and they thanked me for making sure he was as he was struggling so much by the time they saw him. Go with your gut.