Is it usual for a 13yr old to be asked if they want diagnosis by Doctor?

[starfish71]

Our dr at CAMHS is leaving the decision up to my DS (13) to decide if he wants to attend further appointments. testing.

Is this the case with all dr's? Don't I get a say in it? Even though difficulties are obvious and clearly noted by dr, school etc.

This will have to do with Gillick/Fraser competence: www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/research/questions/gillick_wda61289.html

thats makes things clearer but its still annoying as our issue is not about contraception, and in my case my boy is at the maturity of a 9 yr old or less and gets stresses and agitated at appointments that the dr insists he can be in on and at school meetings.

I am afraid the answer is yes. It is a legal thing, apparently started in court during child custody hearings. A child of 12 and over has to give permission to have a diagnosis, I had this issue when ds1 was 13, he said no, so we never got a diagnosis and all assessments stopped here and then and there was nothing I could do about it. It is also based on the gillick case which as you say is not the same at all.

Thank you all for replying and the info. Suppose I am just really shocked that as a parent I don't have the last say in it.

DS has agreed to do a bit of research on ASD as requested by the doctor and we have a review meeting next month.

God, it just gets more complicated doesn't it? :(

I can understand that yes he is 13 and he should have a say in what happens, which he is doing.

I would never force a diagnosis and if school can accept his differences and difficulties and support him then there will be no need for a formal diagnosis which is what will happen hopefully.

Its more that he is having increasing difficulties and isolation that are my main concern. I love him to bits and a diagnosis won't make a jot of difference to who he is but perhaps to gain the support and understanding he needs.