Unknown

[baboos]

My 3.5 year old twin son has been referred to Inclusion Support services (I understand this is also know as portage)after a meeting with the pre-school manager, his key worker and myself. He is presenting some ASD traits at pre-school as well as at home, albeit not at all times.

They came two weeks ago for an initial assessment. I have received letter today stating they feel a more in-depth assessment would be beneficial, and will be attending us for 4, once weekly visits at home come September after schoold holidays

Can anyone offer advise as to what may be involved in this asessment.

I'm not sure as my DS's ASD was noticed through Speech and L T rather than portage, but I assume it would be a list of developmental questions for you, and any concerns you have about his behaviour and a play session where they play with your DS and observe his interactions and behaviour. Usually quite fun for your DS and in familiar surroundings, much less stressful that a clinic, so he'd be more likely to behave normally for him. I'd dig your red book out and have a list written down of your concerns and any questions you can think of because it's sod's law you'll remember them after they have gone.

It's should be viewed as a positive experience, that your DS is being assessed to see what extra support he may need. You've come to the right place to ask questions. Lots of good people on here.

Thanks Ellen, sorry probably didn't explain properly, we had the initial assesment, and we went through my list, already had been keeping a diary since he was around 2, when I started to really pick up on the differences in developement between him and his twin brother.

On that visit they indeed did the things you mention ,but as it was only an hours visit, I can probably presume that it will be more of the same then over a longer period of time. We also have the first appointment with Peadiatrician next week too, which came through really quickly, GP only made the referral three weeks ago.

I think portage are really beneficial, they'll give you lots of ideas for bringing on your DS's development through play. Though 'inclusion support services' sound like they'll carry on with nursery and school as well. Portage and inclusion support are more education based rather than medically based. Once a Paed has DXed there's little involvement from them.

Your Paed will probably go through some of the same questions. My DS's Paed had a joint clinic with the SALT and they asked all the questions etc and played with DS, tried to get him to point etc by putting the bubbles out of reach. The Paed observed him twice more at his special pre-school before coming to a DX of ASD 6 months after the initial consultation. I think DS was a pretty clearcut case, though. In a way you are lucky that having the twins you had an obvious comparison and you probably picked up your DS's issues quickly. (That's a strange definition of lucky, sorry )

If you want a bit of broader advice from others on here you could do with a catchier thread title to bring in those with specialist knowledge.

Yes, forgive me, not only did I forget the title, I also duplicated the post........ I will improve.

Don't think it will be so clearcut for us, some days he is an absolute star, and I question myself, pre-school manager said the same, so we shall see. I suppose like us all, we just want to know what's going on and get the appropiate help and support.

Thanks again.