Would you take this to be a diagnosis?

[used2bthin]

We had an appointment with the community paed a couple of weeks back. She felt that DD1 was "on the autistic spectrum somewhere" and said she wouldn't diagnose from one appointment so to wait for our psych assessment which we already have booked in for january but that she was confident that DD1 has an ASD its just the spectrum is wide etc etc and we need to know where she is to give best support.

Got a report from the appointment and on the list of DD1s issues it now , as the fourth point instead of just saying challenging behaviour like it did last time, says -

"4.challenging behaviour ? autistic spectrum disorder."

Later in the report it says this -

"pcahms referral was rejected as Dr X is already involved and I feel that it is reasonable to try and reach a firm diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder prior to taking this further".

What would you think? Not yet a diagnosis or do I take this as a sure bet we are getting one? Thanks for any opinions!

I would take it to mean that there's no firm diagnosis yet but that they are giving serious consideration to ASD.

oh sorry found another bit where she says she feels dd has "sufficient features to warrant further assessment of likely ASD".

What she says then perhaps! Not really told people yet as worried they will change their minds after the psych appointment but it doesn't sound likely I don't think?/?

thanks coppertop yes that is probably how I should take it-not sure how I will feel now if they say at the assessment it isn't though. She is also referring us to the learning disability team.

I would say that this is not a firm Dx yet.
It sounds like they think it is fairly likely that you might get it though, but all the proper tests have to be done to confirm first.
IIRC there are people on these boards that have heard similar things and NOT had the DX at the end as their child was just below the cut off point.

Ok thanks she said about DD's good eye contact and how much she wants to communicate so I guess its more wait and see. So frustrating all of this but january isn't far off I guess.

Hi same here, under assessment and will know in January. I was so against labelling at first but now I know how difficult things can get, I am praying my little man gets a diagnosis and we can start to piece things together better. Hang in there, not long now. Doesn't help having all the Xmas reassure bang in the middle though!

agree with the others, unfortunately the ? mark means literally that, that there is still a question about it, so it's not 100% certain that the assessment will result in a diagnosis.

Sounds like "working" or "clinical" dx - not official as the formal testing has not been completed, but probably likely.

If the NHS is a tight with finances as the provincial programs are here, you need a FORMAL set of test results to actually access a large portion of programs, but it does sound like they are well on their way.

learning70 hope you get things sorted too, I first went to the GP when DD was 17months as she'd lost words she'd previously said and she is now six!! It has taken so long, I actually didn't go ahead with asking for assessment at one point when I thought it was all down to hearing issues and lots of hospital admissions/being ill so we've been side tracked but I think an assessment is always a good plan and wish we'd got one sooner tbh. Good luck!

TLP yes I was a bit usure if the ? was meaning challengingbehaviour was explainable/the wrong label if she has ASD but yes it makes it clear that its not definate doesn't it. Nearly got december appointment but it was decided jan was best so as not to have a gap between appointments.

Beemom thanks have heard the working and clinical diagnosis thing before (possibky when they thought dd's seizures were epileptic and they turned out not to be...)but didnt really know what they meant. The paed gave us strategies to help with some of the stress and outbursts at transition times so I guess the working meaning carrying on as if she does have an ASD for now which I suppose we kind of have. Hurry up january!