My DS age 9 years underwent a 5 week assessment at this clinic in a group setting with 5 other children. It was for one hour a week and they were observed during that time doing different activities.
My son has already got a diagnosis of ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Hyperflexability, Dyspraxia.
He was sent to this clinic (via a CAMHS referral) by his community pead as we felt there were other issues that needed to be explored and the school report and our home report were saying different things.
We have had the report from the assessment read out to us and I am delighted to say that they saw EVERYTHING that we have expressed concerns about and they feel that he does have issues relating to social communication and interaction.
I asked for their diagnosis and they said they do not give them, they just detail their findings in a report which will be send to his Consultant Psychiatrist (at CAMHS) and it is up to her to diagnose on the basis of their report or want further tests eg an ADOS.
Now my understanding is that an ADOS is for the diagnosis of Autism - so as this was mentioned would you think that this is what they are considering from what they observed?
Does anyone have any experience in this type of assessment group? Is it likely the Psychiatrist would diagnose on the basis of this in-depth report or want further tests? I just can not see what other tests could be required that would out-weigh an hour long 5 week continuous observational assessment.
Our son did have an ADOS two years ago (whilst under the sole care of the Comunity Pead) and they said he was "fine" but when our community pead got the report he was quite surprised by this result and that is why we were referred to CAMHS as they had access to other professionals.
Do you think that even if he had another ADOS and that gave the report for "fine" again that he could be diagnosed with autism on the basis of the assessment group, or is the ADOS the definitive diagnosis of autism
Many thanks - any thoughts are much appreciated.