Social Services assessing for Aspergers ????

[MadameSin]

a friend of mine is a SENCO. Her dd is being assessed for Aspergers and she has been referred via Social Services. Is this the route that is taken these days?? She was a bit confused as being a SENCO she had only ever known Ed. Psych, Pediatricians etc to be involved. Why would SS need to be involved??

Sounds weird to me as well. Suggest she sees GP to get a proper referral to camhs or developmental paed (best team for ?as/asd varies in some areas...)

I've never ever heard of social services making any medical diagnosis tho, just listing care or support needs or general concerns)

She's already seen her GP who suggested SS - not sure why. What kind of help can they give at this stage of a dx? do you know?

Oh no, ask for a second opinion. SS involvement should be invitation only and then with a very strict dress code, order of events and closing time.

Is the GP suggesting her ds' problems are environmental?

The only explanation I can think of is that if the LA are undertaking an assesment that may lead to a Statement of the the agencies they must contact is SS to ask them whether the child is 'known' to them (i.e. have they been involved).

Usually SS just write back and say they are not involved with the child.

I don't think SS can add much to a Child with aspergers unless the parent is requesting respite care.

Best wishes

If it is the team that deals with "Children with Disabilities" you could understand it.

Maybe the Government has issued instructions that SS are obliged to give more help to families who are trying to cope with ASD.

Lucinda Maybe .. would be great if it is genuine support they may need in future .. although seems a bit presumptuous at this stage. Stark it's funny that you mention environment. My friend said she was in tears after seeing her GP because she asked her what social interaction her dd got and what else she did outside of school. Friend said that being a teacher (with a 2 year old as well) it didn't leave her with lots of spare time and therefore dd had never had anyone to tea and had been on very few playdates - dd does not have a 'control button' iykwim, which many parents find a bit 'grinding' she is 8. Thanks for replies. I'll ask her to get some clarity regarding the referral - just wonder if refusing it would cause her more problems ...........

we were offered ss involvement by kindly health visitor but only if we wanted it. I imagine that ss far too under resourced to get involved unless major social need such as respite or care needed....

we declined....

hope it is not an extra worry at a time which is stressful enough!

Social services should be so organised to be able to help and support families. Why does no one want their help?
Would you prefer to get help from a social worker of your own age or would you prefer a male social worker?

Lucinda Find me a 'helpful' social worker and I will give you my house!

Well I am supposed to be doing my SW training year after next and I hope to be helpful! OTOH local LEA not being helpful finding scvhool for ds1 so might have to HE so might be a pipe dream after all .

Social Services are considered a referring agent for assessment but I have never actually heard of that happen before. They are supposed toa ssess for support though, although again IME the general line is that AS is not a qualifying dx. After 3 unsuccessfula ssessments we were accepted onto list but only becuase of somewhat shaky housing and a second autistic child. No actual services emerging though.

yes SSD contacted as a matter of routine when staments etc requested; no a SW cannot dx. Ours tried to- looked at ds3 (technically, his back as he was on the PC and blanking her) and said 'I've done an MA in ASD and can dx, he doesn;t have it'. I am doing same MA, cannot dx, and he DOES have it and attends a special needs unit.

'I've done an MA in ASD and can dx, he doesn;t have it'.
how arrogant and stupid

could she be getting confused? We have childrens schools and families here which is what SS used to be but now all services come under this title.

Why wouldn't GP refer to a medical person?

Maybe he thinks they would be able to help information on support services?

Maybe different LA's work in different ways, but seems an odd route to go if she is trying to get an assessment.

not directly related to op but must say as a former Social Worker avoider have actually been impressed, OK in limited and conditional ways by my sons social worker. Was a drastic step for us but, on local group advice, was told best way forward in particular for post 16 which is when with Aspies in particular it can get bad provision wise.