Is it normal to wait weeks for an autism assessment outcome?

[RipeAvacado]

Hi everyone.

My son is 7 and we were on the autism pathway from the age of 2. He has significant communication delays amongst other issues that it would take me too long to get into.

on the 15th May he had his autism assessment finally at the hospital. He was taken away from us for an hour, I assume to do numerous activities with the assessor.

She came out after and told us she couldn’t give us an answer today and ‘it might take months’ She said she had everything she needed such as his school reports and previous paediatrician reports. She made some comments such as “I’d assume he gets a lot of help in school, doesn’t he?” But other than that, nothing telling or leading.

it’s now been weeks and I’ve heard nothing at all. I know multiple parents whose children have had ASD assessments and it’s never taken this long for an outcome. I’m very confused and it’s making me debated whether he hasn’t been diagnosed at all and that’s why we’ve heard nothing?

Is it common for it to take this long AFTER the assessment? I’m aware the wait for an assessment is years but I didn’t realise the outcome would also take such a long time.

thanks in advance

Making me debate * sorry! I posted in a rush

I completely understand why you're overthinking it, but I honestly wouldn't read too much into the wait. I've known families who got an answer on the day, and others who waited several weeks because the team wanted to review everything before making a decision. The delay doesn't necessarily mean the outcome will go one way or the other. I know it's easier said than done, but I'd be tempted to give the service a call and ask for an update, if only to put your mind at rest.

It can be normal sometimes in some areas. Give them a call if you are worried.

I think it depends on the provider, we sent our report in and about a week later school sent there report. Two weeks later we had our parent meeting at 9am my son had his interview at 1pm and we had the outcome at 4pm
no waiting around for weeks upon weeks.