Dd 2yr diagnosed

[Pumpy001]

My dd has always been a model baby , sleeping through night no tantrums etc. Me being a single mum working full-time, and my elderly mum helping with daily childcare didn't help and nor did I keep up with milestones as I didn't know they excited . At 18 months no speech or gestures and to be fair she was watching cocomelan for about 8 hours a day in the other room with my mum. I turned it around, and stopped cocomelan and tv . Greater eye contact started to emerge , I put her in nursery at 20 months, shes now 24 mths, still no words, not really playing with other kids , not typically interested in toys though she can do a hi 5 through my teaching. We had a paed development appt and at the end of it he said I think your dd is autistic though they'd be a formal dx at 3 yrs.

I have the fear of God in me as to what this will mean for my dd , who only has me and an elderly mum at home.

I've started early intervention at home with the book ' an early start to a child with autism '. Implementing strategies and am hoping to go on the hanen more than words course v soon.

What im wondering is as she's precisely 2 atm, given she is autistic does that mean I'll definitely not see any speech in her for years to come ? Has anyone seen otherwise please to give me some hope ?

Thanking you immensely

Having autism doesn’t necessarily mean DD won’t develop speech for years.

Is DD receiving SALT? And, Portage if you live in an area that provides it for DC attending nursery? Is the nursery providing support?

Her peadetrician will refer her to SALT this should happen by December he says. I will look into portage , the nursery are just doing bucket time with her , I shall seek more support. The nursery is in Teddington, under Richmond Borough and apparently they're tight on budgets.

It all seems a lottery atm.

Thank you for your response. Im so hopeful for a 'mama' im ready to burst !

As the PP said, it doesn't mean that she won't ever talk. My DD started talking at 3.

The charity Speech & Language UK have some resources to help here. They also have a Helpline here.

Have you been given the details of any local charities? And would some private SLT be an option whilst you're waiting for the NHS?

If the nursery need more funding to meet DD’s needs they can apply for early years inclusion funding. Some areas only provide this to 3&4 year olds, but if I remember correctly Richmond provide it to some 2 year olds too. If you think it is necessary you could also request an EHCNA. IPSEA has more information about this on their website and they have a model letter you can use to request an EHCNA.

Thank you both, I will follow up with all suggestions.
The nursery sen coordinator isn't very forthcoming as she's the regional head of sen but I will certainly now push her on this after the dx this week.

There is a new SEN nursery opened in Isleworth, and I was thinking to stick dd in there but my bestie who has 3 Asd children says dd doesn't require that level of intervention. So let's see.

Certainly a learning curve
Xx

Can you afford the SEN Nursery and have you had a look around?

The current nursery is pretty expensive, I will have a look at the sen nursery potentially this week. Dd is used to the current nursery knows the people, the set up etc and loves her keyworker. Im concerned that the sen nursery may have dc on the extreme end of spectrum. Dd has no sensory issues , isn't the greatest eater, and I guess my hopes are that she will learn from older children when she moves next class up in January, 2-3 yr olds. They're holding her back atm because they hope she will develop a little more before the jump to next class up. Currently she's doing 4 full days

Are you claiming DLA? If not, apply. 2 year olds in receipt of DLA are entitled to 15hrs funded. If you think a specialist nursery may be necessary you should definitely have a look at requesting an EHCNA.

I looked at the dla form and boy is it exhaustive, dd can't speak nor has gestures and is in nappies and requires feeding.. it made me think they don't honour it, but ill certainly give it a try.

I'll have a look at the sen nursery first as I don't want to derail dd after 4 months at current place.

Thank you so much yellowrose for all the pointers you continue to provide

The Cerebra guide is helpful when completing the DLA form.

Even if you decide not to move DD, you can still request an EHCNA.

Is there a likewise guide for the Ecna?

Have a look at IPSEA and SOSSEN.

Hello I was wondering is the echna different from the echp? Just the sen coordinator of the nursery says she's applied for 35 kids before aged 3+ they get refused all the time, we need to gather evidence that we are doing something about SALT etc at the nursery, I need a formal dx by the peadetrician before we pursue otherwise we will be rejected. I wonder if she's fobbing me off 🤔

The EHCNA is the needs assessment you first request as part of the process of getting (or not) an EHCP.

You do not need a diagnosis or 2+ assess, plan, do, review cycles. The legal threshold for an EHCNA (the first threshold you need to focus on) is relatively low - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP. Anything else is unlawful. The LA may refuse, but then you can appeal and the vast majority of appeals are upheld.

Can I apply for this ? It just seems that them nursery are going to resist this and I can't to afford to waste time for dd.

You can request an EHCNA yourself. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Thank you so much ill try to find the draft letter

We're in the same area and I've pm'd you some info about resources in Richmond borough (apologies if it's what you already know).

My son was seen by SALT pretty quickly after a referral from the HV - I think a phone screen within 6 weeks and in person assessment within 3 months. So hopefully you won't have too long to wait.

Thank you responded

It isnt necessarily asd i would see how she progresses without so much tv now

Thank you,im trying my absolute best and will let you all know how we go after 1 Yr at formal diagnosis