Sons asd assessment next week. So worried/anxious

[senmommabear]

DS has been on the waitlist for 2 years, he is 7. We know he shows a lot of signs of asd, this year school have also seen it although he tries to mask (hasn’t shown anything previous years). I know it sounds stupid but I’m worried sick because we’ve fought for help for over 5 years and it feels like the decision about diagnosis all comes down to this assessment. Has anyone else been through it who can offer any advice? Anything I can do to prepare? I’ve obviously written lots of things about his struggles to go through on the day but not sure if I need to do anything else.
I think I’m also worried because of the masking, what if he shows no signs at all on the day because it’s someone new and he won’t feel comfortable? It just all feels like it’s coming down to one persons opinion. Although I’m hoping that not the case as they have had the report from school and his speech therapist.

A good HCP will recognise masking for what it is. They will take into account other professionals’ opinions too.

As well as writing notes about current difficulties, it can help to make some notes about DS’s history - e.g. developmental history, educational history, family history, his birth/your pregnancy.

Thank you, I will make sure I do this as well. I also have videos of some of his meltdowns that the paediatrician asked me to get so hopefully that might help.

The report we got was 95% verbatim what I and Senco had written/said in interview. When the nurse assessed my son, she had a ticklist. What she looked for and marked off were: hand gestures (or rather absence of it), stimming, eye contact, tone and modulation of voice. They usually get pictures of flying frogs shown and have to make up a story about it. Don't practice this beforehand and don't tell your child what is part of the interview. Just remind your child to be honest and to tell the interviewer openly what they find difficult, in school and at home. They are not out to get you, they will take what you and your child say at face value and write it down. It's not like cross-investigation in court. They will say things like 'oh, you are doing so well, you are such a great story teller etc' to encourage the child to keep talking and make them feel good. That doesn't mean they think the child is not autistic.

Don't worry - the assessors see DC all day and will be well used to what to ask.

DD masks like a champ yet they had no problem seeing the behaviours. She quite enjoyed some parts of it specially speech and language.

Good luck.

And it probably matters - at least at this stage - less than you think. Support - DLA, EHCP, etc... are based on need not on diagnosis.