WHAT DOES THE ASD ASSESSMENT INVOLVE?

[paganmummsy]

This is a follow up from my last thread HELP AND ADVICE, for all that were kind enough to give me advice i am pleased to say that i have my son booked in with Dr Peter Congdon for a formal assessment, not only will he assess him for autism/aspergers he will look into everything. This will take place on this coming Monday and i have never felt so in charge of the whole situation as now i feel that this will be the be all and end all and the real work for the right of an education for my son will begin.Also if CAHMS DO!!!! have my sons diognosis wrong i can present them with the evidence and tell them to start doing thier job properly to prevent other families going through what we have.
Can anybody tell me what to expect when i go for the assessment? What tests are carried out etc...? Is there a special test for autism? All help is very much appprietiated.

I spoke to oaasis who explained about BIBIC, i did contact BIBIC and they deal with kids that have already been diagnosed, oaasis also told me about Dr Peter Congdon.

So i will basically be doing everything that i experienced with CAHMS?
If DR Congdon does diagnose ASD, why didnt CAHMS pick up on this? Do you think it could be that they just specialise in all mental health problems and not ASD specifically?

BIBIC don't only deal with kids already diagnosed, neitehr of mine were when we went.

They don't however diagnose themselves although we found their paperwork aided the process hugely. very detailed tests.

It depends test wise on what they choose to use; standard gold standard assessment is a history taken by interview, along with observation of the child and reports from school, SLT and Psych.

OTOH a Psych or PAed may well diagnose alone in a very clear cut case though tbh i'd always be slightly wary of that.

technically an Ed Psych shouldn;t be diagnosisng but amny get sihgned off by a Paed

I asked on the otehr thread but I am doing an MA in ASD, do you want my notes / essays on diagnosis?

I am so looking forward to it, CAHMS made me feel like i was being assessed, they would seperate me and my son, he would go with someone and be asked questions and the same with me. I often felt as though CAHMS didnt believe a word i was saying, my sons behaviour was different when we were at the clinic, i have often been told that ASD kids behaviours change with a little more control if they are in a place they arnt familiar with and when they are comfortable of where they are they tend not to hold back is this true?

'i have often been told that ASD kids behaviours change with a little more control if they are in a place they arnt familiar with and when they are comfortable of where they are they tend not to hold back is this true?

Xan work either way; some like my ds1 hold the stress for where they feel safe (me!), but others melt down / struggle immediately.

SanctiMoanyArse

that would be fantastic if you could do that

Oh and the go woith someone and ask questions can be very normal

They do actually have tests they have to elarn and use- ADIR etc- but some people do ahve that air of disbeleif I know. They would ahve asked lots of questions though, often in an interview style, as they need to complete a standardised test and well, that's a good thing

Will you send them through email?
how do i tell you my mail ad

Okeydokey

My email

peaches and cream 04 @ bt internet . com

take out the spaces

feel free to ask whenever but am going camping Saturday so don't worry if delayed reply if it comes through after that

X posts

don't mind mine being on MN as it's DH's internet business contact as well LOL

It sounds as though CAHMS did do a throughough investigation and came up with attachment disorder, so why am i hearing from many many people, from ordinary people to professionals that my son seems not to have this disorder and to have more ASD traits

Brcause Psychs often get it wrong

DS1 has eating disorders and the CAMHs lady fully admits that she knows very little about ASD

CAMHs know most about psych disorders, Paeds and Psychiatrists about developmental ones

Besides, attachment disorder / ASD / childhood schizophrenia all very commonly mistaken for each other; you're not the fist on here
Do bear in mind though that we don't know your DS and only go from posts so can't make a dx

a mail has been sent, lol thanks

No probs Leonie.

Do you want the whole childhood set? Some post 16 ones won't be relvant (and weren'st as great anyhow) but there are some stunners there

tribunalgoer

you are so right about CAHMS, that is exactly what i have found (CAMHS tend to see the child's environment as the problem i.e. parenting, family issues, school bullying etc.)

i see the difference now between the professionals. Asi i have said previously my sons problems started nearing the age of 3, he is now 9, an awful lot of time has been wasted to helping him.

It has been a while since i have been on here, just an update really, well i took my son to see dr peter congdon but my little boy refused to undergo the assessment so dr congdon watched son from afar, dr explained that what he is looking at is a boy with classic aspergers syndrome, the sad thing is dr congdon was unable to write me a report as son wasnt actually assessed but dr told me to challenge CAHMS about the diagnosis of attachment disorder. Well i took his advice but CAHMS still refuse that son has aspergers syndrome and are sticking with the attachment disorder diagnosis and CAHMS were filling me in with the reasons why son has this diagnosis and what they base it on is the traumatic pregnancy and birth. Dr congdon explained that this is impossible as son developed normally from age 0-3years and showed problems from 3 years on, if he had attachment disorder signs would have shown from a much earlier age. What the hell do i do now, i feel like crying, son is labeled with attachment disorder when so many other proffessionals are against this. Son is currently going through parent statement, do you think that the docs and psychs involved in this will realise? HELP :(

Just tell you GP that you demand him to refer you to someone who can give you a 2nd opinion.

In my opinion and experience people with autism often have other Anxiety type conditions as well, such as OCD for one.

Many have tummy and constipation problems as well, sometimes incontinence.

The medical profession call that co-morbidity.

can you encourage your boy (or bribe him) to have the assessment. Ask your GP to find another aspergers assessment professional, and make another appointment with another unit. Maybe your son did not take to the doctor you saw last time. Maybe he may like a female doctor better.

Look at the NAS web site www.autism.org.uk or phone up their help line. You could find out who makes assessments in your region. Also NAS have Self- assessment questionaires, ask them to send you a pack of information leaflets.

LucindaCarlisle

You are right about my son not liking the doc, he was frightend of the way he looked, he said that the docs eye was going to fall out lol

i may just make an appointement to see the GP as suggested earlier (if i can get an appointment) i just feel like i am screaming out to CAHMS but not being heard, wish i could take you all from mumsnet to confront CAHMS with me.

The thing is when CAHMS talk to me, what they say is so convincing and i end up agreeing with them and i come away kicking myself that i should have said something. I suppose that is part of their job being psychologists and all. Im always made to feel that i am wrong and they are right, i feel like nobody with real authority is on my side.

We all feel like that.

And not only are they not on your side, but worse than that they will try to sabotage your efforts but they will also prevent you from getting help.