first appointment at specialist children centre...

[TICKLETUMBLE]

..wish us luck. Seeing DEv Paed first.

Hoping for full investigations into ASD, ADHD, Sensory processing disorder.....and anything else they think may be an issue.

Seems like such a lot to consider, and its going to take some picking apart t get to the bottom of what makes DS tick......

feeling apprehensive...don't want to be fobbed off with a 'wait and see', but equally hoping hey will say its all going to be OK.......

When is it? Remember, go armed with evidence and questions on paper and don't leave without a plan for assessment. Good luck.

thanks..........it went, um, quickly. Saw a registrar. Were in for 2 hours, talked to us for 1.5 and played with DS for a little bit and then went and discussed the case with the lead consultant.
Basically the information provided strongly indicates ASD, and if DS had been 5 or under they would have done the ADOS there and then and been able to diagnose swiftly. But as his birthday came after he was referred he has to be referred to CAMHS for ADOS.

Been referred to OT immediately to get the ball rolling to understand the sensory issues, and get a suitable sensory diet devised and allow some advice to be given to school, and we await the CAMHS appointment and meeting with SALT.
Very tired now. DS very happy as went on an adventure, played for two hours and had a meal out. ;)

Sounds very positive! :)

That's great :-)

yep, it is good. really relieved to have our worries listened to, but hard to take in at the same time. Looking forward to getting more and better support at school etc.
thanks to all for the support and advice given as we would not have got here without out it

Good, but still hard to take, I bet? So sorry that it wasn't better news, like poor parenting that will just get better with time. Remember that it hasn't changed him, he's still your lovely boy and now you are on the road to accessing support. (((Hugs)))

lol, yes in many ways it would be easier if it was us just being totally clueless at least the wonderful govt. support services could be deployed to help us get it right. .

Having said that the first leaflet we were given was for a parenting course .....but specifically for children with special needs. no doubt, with hindsight of the diagnosis, we have got things wrong and will continue to do so as we feel our way through the developments to come, but have so many resources now that we can confidently tap into...until now its been very tentative and stabs in the dark hoping that was the right way to go.

lots to do, lots to learn.........but it means things are going to get better for us, even if things are not going to be 'fixed'.

Yes, parenting DC with SN is different, you do need different strategies, but that's no reflection on what you have done so far! (Obviously) I hope the course is useful. Some are excellent, some less so. The thing to remember is that you need a raft of strategies under your belt (mixed metaphor or what? ) as some will work and some won't. Nobody has got a magic wand and it's all trial and error. Good course leaders will say 'you could try this, or this, and if that doesn't work, try this' and not just 'do it this way.'