Autism assessment

[Lis2017]

DD7 has finally (it has been a long wait) got a date for her autism assessment. I'm now worrying about what to tell her about it leading up to the appointment.

In case it makes any difference, I'm unsure if she'll be diagnosed. The school recommended she be assessed for autism and ADHD (for which we are still awaiting an appointment and to me fits her behaviours more closely.)

Does anyone have any advice?

I think 7 is old enough to understand the basics of neurodivsity. My son is 8, was diagnosed at 5 (when we didn't tell him anything) and by 7 understood most of it.

How we talk about it is about having a special brain. Some people have a special brain that works a bit differently to other people's brains. We're going to see a doctor who will play with you and try and figure out if you have a different, special kind of brain, so we can figure out if maybe you need some things that regular-brain people don't need.

When my son has asked follow up questions we tend to talk about strengths. So pointing out the things he's extra-good at, and the things he finds a bit harder. So he's extra-good at storytelling but finds writing harder. Keeping it neutral so we use examples of things where being ND isn't 'better' or 'worse'.

This could be used in the context of an assessment - 'the reason the person wants to meet you is because they heard there are some things you're super-good at and some you find harder'

Thank you - that's really helpful advice.