Diagnosis, how does it work?

[yukoncher]

My son has an appointment next month to (finally) see a paediatric consultant to see about getting a diagnosis.
Does this mean he could walk out of there with a letter saying he's Autistic? and we'll be able to get him one on one support by september so he can start school normally? (He's 4) Otherwise nursery are thinking of keeping him for another year as he won't cope alone at big school without one on one. Diagnosis is apparently needed to get the one on one support for him.

I think he's unlikely to get a dx on the spot. More likely for the paed to want to see him again in 6 months, and also for the paed to want other professionals to see him.

But a dx doesn't bring you 1:1 - a statement does. And you don't need a dx to apply for a statement. You can apply yourself. Today. Go to the ipsea website and download a template letter......

Diagnosis is apparently needed to get the one on one support for him. This is rubbish. Unfortunately nursery probably doesn't understand the whole process. You will have to research it yourself. here's a site to start reading.......

we have been told the diagnosis process is very long winded. the 'panel' only meets once a month or something and theres a load of people need to see your child

NHS diagnosis is usually with a multi disciplinary team - paed, possibly psych and various therapists, so it often takes several months to get an official dx. It's frustrating as a good paed can usually recognise ASD much more quickly - we ended up going private in the end and we did in fact walk out with a dx.

We got a statement with 1:1. It's true that you don't need a dx to get a statement, but any evidence helps. I would start the ball rolling as it takes at least six months to put a statement in place.

Agree with all said above our DD is due to start school in Sept and we have started the ball rolling to get a statement even though we do not have DX as yet we are waiting for appt at autism assessment clinic but there is a 3 month waiting list. Even if your DS is going to be held back in nursery for another year I think you should get the statement in place for that as 1.1 is the best way to move your DS forward. Also can you request that he be evaluated urgently by an educational pyschologist at his nursery this will help you in statementing process this is a level 3 evaluation and I think this has to be carried out before they will carry out a level 4 statutory assessment (but I may be wrong) there is loads of brilliant advice on here about the statementing process. My only advice is do not sit and wait for the authorities to do what is best for your child only you can push things along and fight for things to happen unfortunately you are just another case for them. Good luck xx

Thank you so much.
This is such a complicated ever ongoing process to deal with!
Glad I joined this forum. Hopefully will all make sense soon