can anyone give me some clues as to what to expect ....ASD diagnostic process

[MrsShrekTheThird]

ds1's 9, his appointment has arrived at last - but now things are starting to move onwards I've got no idea what to expect at a first appointment at "ASD clinic"
Any advice or forewarnings would be most appreciated.

it depends, here you have a cdc (child development check) and then if they think theres a chance of ASD they then send them to a CDAC (communication disorder assessment clinic) the whole thing takes about a year, and involves everyones opinions and maybe some work with child/or observations.

HTH

thanks both.
Things may be a tad more confusing as he's a very articulate 9yr old, and we're looking more at the AS end of the spectrum. Initial meeting referred him on to this one - aaages ago. The person we met then described him as 'complex' or 'complicated' or some such.

yes we have a very complex, highly inteligent and articulate 7 year old :)

ahhh Lisa, any chance you could talk me through this process then? I feel like I've landed on another planet atm and I know absolutely nothing

Have you done a screener questionaire yet ( social communication questionaire).. Or is this litterally your first appointment ?

they did what I can only call a hit-and-run basic appointment with CAMHS, so yes in real terms this is our first encounter

Well on our first appointment we had a chat about things and the agreed that a multi discaplin team would be best as ds was a complex bunny... Was told that pead would involve SALT, OT .. We already had a clinical psych and an EP.. Was also told of the waiting time for an ADOS .. That there would be a team meeting, all reports put together and see what it comes up with, And if that still left questions then there would be more appointments on a regular basis with the team until they got to the bottom of it all.

Our pead did say he may not get a dx... But there was something that needed investigating there.

Btw we got the dx after the ados and reports were in..
He is complex .. But.. The ASD/ AS bit showed up.

thanks muchly :)

I'm doubting everything I ever 'knew' atm, as ds1's such a complicated fella. He's verbally articulate but has so many issues (and severe dyslexia to confuse things further) that I just don't have a clue what to think any more. We've also had EP, psych and paed consultant keeping tabs for the past few years, although I have to say no real light was shed on anything at all.

I think what your feeling is normal tbh.. I though I was going nutty and seeing issues where they might not be any... But that wasn't the case.
Take your notes/ diary/ written stuff from others ( school/ EP/ pead etc etc) with you... Even if it's just to make you feel prepared.

If you look at the meeting as a finding out what the plan is and where this is headed that is probably the best bet.. And ask all the questions you want.. How long are waiting lists.. What am I going to expect to happen etc etc.. They won't mind :)

I just wanna hug you. You're making me feel much less insane iyswim. And good practical advice, thank you! Appt is on Thursday, I'm going to attempt to stay as calm as I can for now. Way more difficult that I expected.

sorry late reply, but you have had some great advice.
What are school saying? If everyone is saying the same thing, hopefully it wont be too hard to get a dx. You may be offered a working dx but beware most school see this as a get out and that they dont have to do anything
We didnt tell our dd1 what the appointments were for at the time, just that they wanted to check to see why she was sad about routine changes ect, but have told her since, it really has helped her.
Keep a diary, read what you feel able to but try not to let it overtake your life, you will go though no end of emotions and thats fine.
hope you ok this morning.

Agree with lisa.. Do read up but don't let it rule your life.. It's too easy to get a bit consumed by the negative side of it all.. There are so many good bits that can be missed whilst we're worrying.

And try and push for a dx rather than a working dx.. Even if it means more appointments.. As it will carry more weight with school.. And open more doors to support.