How to go about getting a diagnosis for DD (4)

[Exogenesis]

In brief . DD (4) is suspected ASD. most likely Asperger syndrome. She has just started reception and whilst in was mentioned at her nursery they did not do anything as they assumed she would "grow out of it" anywho, she strated Reception a little under a month ago and her teacher has called in the SEN lady and an IEP is being put in place. Her teacher suggested (strongly) that I seek a formal diagnosis but, I have no idea what to do and the information I have so far found has been of little or no help. My younger brother has Asperger syndrome but, things have changed alot in the last 20 odd years so my mother is out of her depth also. Any help about anything greatly appriciated it feels like I'm walking against the tide at the moment.

Ask the teacher if she can put that in writing. If not, look up all the symptoms on the National Autistic Society website and go with a list to your GP of where he fits the criteria.

Ask for a referal to a developmental paediatrician. Ask for the name or dept you are being referred. Phone them and ask for their waiting times. Badger them for a cancellation. If times are long, consider investigating a private dx.

hth

I believe the paed has to see you within 6 weeks or some such govt guidelines. Certainly we wanted to put the appt off due to being on holiday and were told they couldn't have it any later than X date because of govt regs.

Go to your GP and ask for a referral to paed. The GP will know enough what to do.

Don't panic. It takes a long time to get a dx because they normally want a number of professionals to assess your child - but it doesn't matter how long because it's not as if anything magic happens the day you get the dx.

From now until you know otherwise you and your school should assume she does have Aspergers and act as such...

Good luck. It's really not nearly as bad or as hard as it first looks....

Go to your GP and ask for a referral to CAMHS

CAMHS have nothing to do with diagnosis here - you need a GP referral to the developmental paediatrician/Child Development Centre.

Nor here. CAMHS deal with older children. Developmental paed is who you'd need here too.

I would keep right away from CAMHS anyway if you can help it. They often don't have the expertise to diagnose or treat ASDs. They usually deal with any difficulties that result from them, like depression and anxiety.

ASD is not a mental health issue it is a developmental disorder.

Exactly Stark, one of my ishoos is ASD itself being treated as a mental illness.

Go to your GP and ask for a referral to the team best qualified to diagnose this condition and to give best advice about coping with it.

Thank you all. I will ask her teacher to put it in writing I know the SEN lady is writing a report to send to someone but, no idea who I will ask at the meeting after half term. Thank you ladies I'm sure I will be back over the coming months.

We've had a number of different things going on here. DS2's teacher brought in the SENco, who advised us to go through GP for a referral to the paediatrician. The GP refused to refer him to the paediatrician, stating that it was a mental health issue not a medical issue (possible dyspraxia and ASD) and referred him (after giving us a snotty lecture about the NHS budget and school budget blah blah) to CAMHS.

The SENco was annoyed, as she wanted him to be seen by the paediatrician, so she has arranged for DS2 to be seen by:

• school nurse, who has referred him to the paediatrician (waiting for appointment now)
• language and communication team (appointment this week)
• Ed psych (not sure specifically what date yet)

as well as starting him working with a small group that focuses on skills for children with dyspraxia, and a 1-on-1 10 hours a week in classroom plus during his lunch and playtime. His CAMHS appointment is next week.

I admit it seems a bit overwhelming all this at once, but when I have seen those that have had to fight for appointments, I'm certainly not going to complain. I do get worried as there's always conflicting advice though - SENco says paed is the way to go, GP insists CAMHS. Although SENco has no objection with him seeing CAMHS, she says he MUST see paediatrician as well.

SENco told us that the end goal is statement for DS2, and diagnosis is an important part of it.

Not sure if that helps you at all, but this is what we were told is needed. Have you spoken to the SENco at all? Ours has been really open with information and given us copies of all paperwork (including referrals and IEP), as well as keeping in contact with us by email and in person at the school. Basically she has told us her job is to help us by coordinating assistance for DS2 as well as fighting in our corner for whatever he needs and providing us with the info we need.

Can you arrange to meet with the SENco at your school to find out what's going on on their end and what they need you to do on yours?

The trouble with the camhs/ developmental paeds divide and who to see, is that either may have the expertise and multidisciplinary input to diagnose and manage asd but areas vary a lot in how the service is set up. And it often changes over time as well.

We pushed to see a paed cos I was worried camhs would 'waste time' dealing with my coping skills before getting round to diagnosing ds. That said, camhs locally have been v good with another asd dc I know.

Here, CAMHS dx everything and have lots of ASD specialists. One of the only decent services!

It's different from area to area.