GP referred DS for Autism assessment. What happens now please?

[TheSitChewAceChien]

I'm a bit nervous, don't normally start threads.

Took DS to the doctor a few weeks ago, thought he may have an ear/hearing problem. He was not listening, randomly bellowing...
Apparently his ears are fine, but after asking some questions, the doctor wanted to send him for assessment.

Sometimes when I'm nervous I stop hearing stuff, and this happened on that day.
As I left the doctor was typing something up.

What happens now, can anyone tell me please?
Will I get a letter, appointment. Who will assess him? And how?!

Sorry for all the q's.
Was trying to just wait and see, but that's not working very well.

Thanks in advance

It will depend on the diagnostic pathway in your area, here the GP would refer to a consultant paed but your area may be different - why not phone the practice and ask who the GP has refered you son to?

Has the GP checked your sons hearing himself or did he have hearing tests carried out. If it was the GP I would be asking for a referral to audiology to have him fully checked.

In most areas the diagnostic process is very slow with long waiting lists and can be a veryfrustrating time. This board is a great place to ask questions and get support. x

After a very ropey start to YR, and not much help/joy from the school nurse, our GP referred us straight to CAMHS where we had assessments, were given questionnaires for home and school and follow up appointments to give feedback and asked more questions and had more observations.

Our GP also referred us to SALT to save time and speed up the diagnosis process, and OT attached to CAMHS also did a sensory profile for DD.

All results pointed in the same direction - ASD - so in April this year, DD was given official DX of this, but is having continuing assessments and reviews. The initial assessment to DX was very short by comparison to other UK experiences (7mths), but the Consultant said it's obvious she has autism, and needs 'handling' as such, and since LA resources are so low (read non-existent right now) he agrees a 'label' is needed to access the support she needs in education.

the continuing assessment is to 'fine tune' her DX, there will inevitably be other letters after her name when she is discharged.

i think you might find as many different paths as replies you have on this thread, OP.

IMO, which ever one you are on, use this section as a map to guide you - lots of posters here are amazing - pillars of strength, knowledge and support

Thankyou all for your brilliant advice.
Feel much less 'alone' now.

Cwtches, he didn't really test his ears at all- just looked in them and said no infections!
He did say because there was no real pattern of non hearing, he thought it unlikely to be a hearing problem.

While we were sitting there though, DS was making some of his noises. (He sometimes makes clicking noises when he's in an unfamiliar place.)

It seemed that a lot of things that I thought were just his 'way' also point to maybe being on the autistic spectrum.
He hates change of plans. Hates collars, socks, people walking behind him.
Doesn't really do play, he like to build burglar traps (Think Home Alone They are pretty awesome though!)
He can't read at all or write his name (he's in yr 1)
Makes a lot of noises, but won't look at, or talk to people if they've spoken to him first. Mainly strangers, but occasionally family too.
He's fabulous though, and you can have the most wonderful and random conversations with him!

I'll admit to being very ignorant of autism, and also of children in general. Other than my own, I don't really see much of them on a day to day basis (if that makes sense) so didn't really know that these were much more than a pain for me. (Hope that doesn't come acrosss too cold)

Will definitely stick around here, thanks again.
And sorry for the ramble- nice to get things off my chest

Hi *The sit" and welcome to the board

Your little boy sounds lovely, I am loving the burglar traps.

Try not to worry too much about the assessments, whatever happens he will always be your lovely little boy.

The main thing to remember is that if he gets a diagnosis of autism this will help his school now and in the future to make sure they are helping him in the right way.

A really good book I read when I was first introduced to autism was called Multicoloured Mayhem and was written by a lady called Jackie Jackson who has 7 children and all 4 boys have special needs of various types. It is well worth a read.

Good luck and keep coming on here for support and just to chat

Oh Thankyou Ineed
Will have a look out for Multicoloured Mayhem.