DD's 1st appointment with dev paed. how to prepare, what to expect?

[chocjunkie]

DD (3, with s&l delay and suspected ASD) has her first apppointment with the dev paed next week.

what is the best way to get prepared? I have made a (long long) list with concerns we have about her. i have also written down all her milestones and any medical events in her life that could be relevant. is there anything else they might need to know?

also, what happens during the initial appointment? I expect they will want to know about DD's development and listen to our concerns. do they usually also do some assessments? I suppose we won't walk home with a dx???

starting to feel really nervous...

TIA

Sounds like you're well prepared, chocjunkie. They will take a history from you, so having your concerns etc in writing is a really good idea. They will probably want to observe your DD playing with some of their toys and bubbles. Hopefully she'll enjoy it. I doubt you'll get a DX but no harm in asking for a list of possibilities if you feel that would help you. You may have to persuade them that you really want a label!

If you have any questions write them down so you don't forget and take a few notes if you can, or get DH to. Good luck.

Oh yes, they asked us if we had any family history of eccentricities, and after the meeting we thought of loads! Poor social skills, etc.

thanks ellen - haven't thought about the family history at all!

paed probably will also ask about the pregnancy and birth. dx process seems to vary massively - you may end up with a DX, you may end up with a verbal DX but more assessments or no DX at all other than S & L delay.

LEONIEDELT was ur video footage of ur child shown at the mulidiscaplinary hearing? My ed pysch told me this would not be used, i have been filming my ds behaviour for over a year and wonder now if it will be seen, was u there at the hearing?

LEONIEDELT i meant ur multidisciplinary panel (not hearing) i just have footage of his stimming (lying on his tummy and rocking from side to side in a trance like state) and his handflapping and his rewinding the same part 30 times over on sky+) i have it stored on my laptop, is it worth transferring to disc? I have no footage of nursery because his ed pyscs report picked up on what he is like there, is this enough?

LEONIEDELT thanx for advice will def do that :) i have a list of all my concerns, a paed and ed pysch report so with vid evidence that shud be enuf shudnt it? not had SALT assessment yet, that on 19 may, am bit worried bout that as ds talks really well and one to one he is ok, i hope they dont see this and decide theres nothing wrong with him, as there clearly is! I have parent partnership lady coming with me from KIDS, she has seen vid evidence and my reports and clearly sees ASD and says he should def have a statement put into place b4 he starts mainstream school in sept, but SENCO have told me to hang back starting the statementing process untill his SALT assessment, dont know wot to do :(