Hello everyone,
This is my first post in special needs (although I have been lurking for a month or so 
) so I'm feeling a bit nervous and don't really get all the abbreviations yet, so apologies if I make a mistake!
I've always known DS (3.3) is a bit 'quirky' and about a year ago started thinking he may have ASD, but when I googled autism and aspergers, he didn't seem to quite fit. I read a description of PDA on a link in a post on Mumsnet and I was 
as it described DS almost exactly.
Some of the comments I've read on this board from parents of children with ASD also hit home and I've found myself smiling and nodding at my phone in agreement. It just helps to know others are going through it - until I read the PDA info I blamed myself for DS's behaviour and was really unhappy.
Sorry, I have just realised what a huge introduction that was; apologies and here are my questions:
We've just been recommended a paediatrician who can diagnose PDA, outside our area (but not too far away), however she's private only and charges £800 all inclusive for an assessment and diagnosis (including ADHD). The £800 doesn't cover the psychologist, which we would have to pay for as well.
We are lucky enough that we may be able to find the money or save it in a few months, but I've been googling and have seen that the LEA often don't take a private diagnosis when they are doing a statement (is this the right term?) so would it be a waste of money, particularly bearing in mind that we (and his nursery staff, who are amazing) are implementing PDA management strategies which are helping?
There seems to be very little information on PDA diagnosis within the NHS, so a further question is how do we go about finding a sympathetic (to PDA) paediatrician (I've tried the NAS website and may have found one place, but there's not much information about it)? From my own health issues I've found getting the right consultant is half the battle!
I've also heard about the centre in Nottingham and Great Ormond Street - can we apply through the NHS for this and are we likely to be successful?
The main reason we want to get a diagnosis is so that when DS starts school he gets the support he needs (at the moment I don't think it would need to be anything major, just quiet time when he needs it and time in smaller groups) I have no idea how this works in practice as he's the elder DC and my last experience of primary school was when I went 20-odd years ago, so I could just be wishful thinking here! We have a year to do this, so can take a reasonable NHS wait again, I could be wishful thinking.
Finally, you will be glad to read, if you've made it this far, we are based in North Birmingham - does anyone know of any Birmingham-based NHS paediatricians who are sympathetic to PDA?
Thank you if you have read all that and thank you even more if you're able to reply.