ASD diagnosis-day tomorrow and I'm terrified.

[KeithTheCat]

DS is 3.10. I have had concerns about his development since he was about a year old but was always brushed off by the HV, although she agreed with my concerns about him speech and referred him to SLT at 2.6years.

the speech therapy department then referred him to a paediatrician. we had our first appoint with the paed in March this year and she referred him for an autism assessment. in her report it said "likely ASD"

so we've been through the assessment process and tomorrow is the day. We have been fighting for this and preparing for this for 2 years and now I am terrified. most of our friends and family around us don't believe us "but he's not sitting in a corner flapping with no eye contact" "he's fine, he's just DS" the HV said the same "but his eye contact is fine so he can't be". because I was the one who flagged up my concerns, and no health professional has openly said the 'A' word, I'm worried I and DS will be dismissed again. he needs this diagnosis, he needs help. who is going to help him I'd he doesn't get it?!

that was far too long, apologies, I just needed to get it out.

I'm in a similar situation, currently going through assessments with my 2.9 ds. He has a lot of red flags for ASD but not severe enough for it to be outright obvious. He also has good eye contact and seems to pull his best behaviour out of the bag when he sees any professionals. They've all been keen to avoid ASD as well, and 'a more general developmental delay' has been banded about. I don't agree with this at all.
Like you Keith I'm so worried he's not going to get diagnosed correctly and so won't get the help he needs.

Please come back and let me know how it went!
Do you have any ideas about what to do next if your D's doesn't get the diagnosis you think is correct?

Oh sweetheart. Good luck. We had our appointment at the end of April x

When I went into the meeting, the dr asked what outcome I was expecting. I was very direct and told them I knew my snow as autistic & I just was there for them to rubber stamp it (so to speak!)

Be firm.

Write notes. I did. Just notes of my sons "quirks"

Let us know how you get on x

thank you both for your support

parades I'm not sure what will happen next. he'll definitely continue with SLT. he's not due to go to school until next year and he copes well in nursery. they use visual timetables with him because he doesn't move round activities, just stays at the numbers table!

he got a diagnosis of Autism.

I am relieved he's going to get the help he needs now. I'm feeling good about his diagnosis today because it was expected. I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow or the next day...

one day at a time!

It is one day at a time. I felt happy/sad.

He is starting special needs school,on September.

Glad you got the diagnosis x

Oh I'm glad for you Keith, that's one hurdle down.

Honking for you keith, be kind to yourself and as you say, take one day at a time.

Getting the right diagnosis for your child is a very positive thing and will hopefully prevent ignorant people from labelling him naughty or rude as he gets older.

Good luck