ASD assesment process

[Seagullslanding]

I'm hoping that somebody on this board might be able to offer some advice.

My eldest daughter has been displaying autistic traits for a number of years. When she was 8 we were finally able to get her primary school to really take notice, this was after a GP and CAMHS referral.

After being seen by an Ed Psych they agreed that she should have an ASD assesment. This decision was made in February 2021. We were warned that there was a 19 month wait. We didnt over concern ourselves at the time as she was doing well at primary school and her anxiety had come under control.

Since starting Secondary school (she is year 8) her problems with social communication are really becoming more apparent, they are crippling for her. She has no friends.

We finally received the phone call today with the date of the first assessment appointment. We have been told that i am to attend with her and that it will take 90 minutes. I was also told that it will be the first of I believe 4 appointments and that they will take place over a number of months.

Can anyone give me some advice as to what to expect and what to ask?

We are in South Wales if that is relevant.

Thankyou

Different areas assess in different ways. At the first appointment you may be asked a long list of questions about your DD. It will be helpful to make some notes beforehand.

When my DS was assessed (he was 9) they went right back to his birth. Did he crawl? How old was he when he walked, said his first word etc. They are aiming to get as full a picture of your DD as possible.

I would also think about examples that illustrate your concerns - eg what triggered any meltdowns or how her difficulties around her peers manifest themselves.

At some point your DD may be given an ADOS test (you can google it). It's an assessment for autism. There are different modules depending on the age of the child and if they're verbal or not.

Your DD will be taken into a different room (we could watch through a two-way mirror) and the assessment will be carried out by two highly trained professionals - probably a speech and language expert/an educational physiologist. My DS has had two assessments and he enjoyed them both. They will chat to your DD and ask her all kinds of questions. It's not something you can (or should) prepare a DC for. They are looking for very specific reactions. When I got my DS's report I was amazed by how much it revealed about his difficulties.

If your DD is having four appointments, they may possibly want to go and see her at school and talk to her teachers.

It's great that she's finally being seen. Where I live there's a 2-3 year wait.

You could speak to the assessors about applying for an EHCP for your DD if you think she would benefit from quite a high level of support. An EHCP doesn't just cover learning difficulties but also social communication targets too.

@Toomanyminifigs thankyou. thats really helpful. I made copies of the questionnaires that the school SENCO sent me when she was in primary school. These detail quite a lot of her earlier and ongoing issues. I'll refresh myself.

She is already working with SALT at her school - the feedback that they have given me has been quite an eye opener. Hopefully we can start the process of getting her the support she needs.