Can Community Paediatrician diagnose autism

[Pegasus41]

My DS age 9 has just been referred to community paediatricians to consider whether he could be autistic (and also for wetting problems). Can community paeds diagnose autism or would they refer on to CAMHS for autism assessment? I’m wondering what the process is. Also, is the wait typically very long for autism assessment for children?
Thanks

Hi there

my DD5 is undergoing assessment for autism at the minute, she just had her ADOS assessment on Monday. My DD didn’t have to wait to see a paediatrician as she has already had a paediatrician from she was 18 months due to other issues. It was at her annual review in June that I brought up my concerns for ASD which she agreed with so referred her directly for the ADOS assessment. So we have gone in a much faster route however a girl I know with a son the same age has just had her first paediatrician appointment after a 2.5 year wait and has also been referred for assessment now but she has been told it will be a further 18 months or so. This is entirely dependent on your local area, we are in NI which I have heard has the longest wait time.

The assessors at DD’s ADOS gave me some feedback but were unable to diagnose her, they said that has to come from her paediatrician and that the ADOS is just a small piece of the puzzle in assessing. They said the paediatrician will take into account the results of the ADOS, her own views, SLT and OT views (my DD sees both), educational psychology’s views and most importantly my views when deciding to give a diagnosis or not. i am still fully expecting a diagnosis as all health professionals involved in DD’s care are all supportive of an ASD diagnosis.

So to answer your question, yes it will be our community paed diagnosing DD but this is in connection to many HCP’s input and educational psychology’s input and of course my own. I am not sure with the age of your son whether they refer to Camhs or not so I’m sorry I can’t help you there but very best of luck 💐

Who assesses for and diagnoses ASD differs depending on where you live. As does the process and the waiting time (although there will be a wait wherever you are). In some areas it is CAMHS, in others it is paeds and some have a standalone team. If you have been referred to community paeds for assessment, then it is probably them (and their MDT) who diagnose.

Thanks so much, really helpful.

Hi, my DD7 was referred by school for ASD assessment in June, she had an initial appointment with a community paediatrician in August. At that appointment they took a developmental history and current concerns and asked what felt like a hundred questions about routine, rituals and communication.

At that appointment, she could only recommend for further assessment - she gave me questionnaires for me and the school to complete. These, together with her report and recommendation to assess, went to a multi-disciplinary panel this month, which agreed to further assessment and only now has DD has been added to the waiting list, which in our area is apparently 2-3 years!

So in our area it seems to be a particularly long-winded process...

NICE guidelines on assessment of U19s

Thanks @Sunnydays41 That is a long wait! I’ve just read the webpage for Community Paediatrics in my area, and it states they don’t take appointments re suspected autism in over 5’s, only for under 5’s, so we may have been referred to the wrong place. Will wait and see.