If you suspected asd

[Blahblahgingerbreadlady]

If you had concerns and suspected asd in toddler, how did you get support and referrals? Feeling a bit stuck. Health visitor was lovely and acknowledged some issues but said he didn’t score high enough to be referred to CAMHS. We are thinking of getting a private psychologist but if would be nice to hear from others who have had kids in similar situations. The older he gets (nearly 4) the more clear it is that he is wildly different to other kids his own age. Main issues are social skills, empathy, extreme repetitive behaviours and lots of anxiety, also some sensory. But he also achieves ‘high’ in other areas which apparently means he cannot be referred currently. It’s really sad watching him struggle and it’s making things so hard as no one seems to know.

We contacted the GP who agreed there was an issue and then we were referred to paediatrics for assessment (in the suspected Austism direction). It took over 3 years for diagnosis via that route.

In the meantime we did a private assessment (£2000!) but got the assessment back within 3 months (incidentally a much more thorough assessment than the NHS one).

Regardless you can get SEN provisions at nursery or preschool if you use one and start on the road to an EHCP which will be the real route your child will receive support anyway.

There might be some local community provisions/groups for ASD or suspected ASD, but these are a postcode lottery.

I would try the GP first to see if you can start that ball rolling, start looking into an EHCP (you can even self refer) and then only if you can afford it look into a reputable private assessor. Diagnosis doesn't lead to much extra support unfortunately... most of us are left to sink or swim on our own... but it can be helpful for YOU to guide in how to help your child. Best of luck

The pathways may be different in your area, but could you ask nursery to refer to Speech and Language (for social skills, even if his actual speech is ok) and Occupational Therapy (for the sensory issues)? If they also suspect ASD, they may be able to refer into the diagnostic pathway.

As the PP said, if there are difficulties eg with sensory issues, social development at nursery, they should be able to put a Learning Plan in place to address those without a diagnosis.

In some areas, you can self refer for a diagnostic assessment and to SALT and OT (although not all ICBs commission sensory OT now). If you can’t self refer and the HV won’t, you could ask your GP and nursery. You could also ask about a referral to paeds rather than CAMHS.

I’m in EXACTLY the same situation with the same issues in my child you described and feeling so stressed! ADHD and ASD are in the family and I have read it’s hereditary. My child attends two different settings but run by the same company, one staff member has spoke to me about there concerns encouraged me to seek referral, but the main company manager has taken over and disregarded everything this staff member has told me and claims this is a new concern and not the norm, it’s just social interaction issues from not attending as much as peers ?! So I have no back up and my child’s about to be thrown into school. Has your child’s setting raised concern?

I tried the GP with no luck and now going through the HV I suspect I will have the same outcome as you, will support be available at school with no diagnosis ?