Social communication assessment - what to expect?

[TeddyBeans]

Just that really. DS7 has been on the waitlist for 2 years and we've just received his appointment. If anyone with recent experience of a social communication assessment could give me a heads up on what's likely to happen, I'd really appreciate it!

As an aside, is it possible to come out of a social communication assessment with an autism diagnosis or is it just one of many assessments to get the full picture?

Hopeful bump

The answer to both these questions will depend on the assessment provider.

Processes vary area to area.

In some areas, a social communication assessment will be part of a wider ASD assessment. In other areas, it will be the assessment and following it DC will be diagnosed with ASD (or something else) or not.

DS had an ASD assessment when he was 10, the lady just chatted to him, asked him to describe doing things to her and sort of role play them out - ADOS type stuff. It wasn't at all stressful and he was fine with it. DS was seen by an NHS paediatrician that specialised in ASD and was diagnosed by the end of it (45 minutes). He had also been observed at school by someone from SEND who suspected ASD. I expect it varies hugely from place to place though tbh.

Thanks both