Aaargh another 6 months wait!

[KellyKrueger1978]

Following on from very throrough assessment back in feb, we had ds1's review with the paed today. Still strongly suspecting autism, but still won't diagnose. Orignially wanted to see how he went at pre-school, now they want to see how he gets on at school, starting in January, so next review is end on spring term.

He has been doign well at preschool, but he gets a lot of support there, which he wont get in school from January. I have a feelign we have a lot of wet and pooey pants coming up. It's so frustrating because he is bright when I can get through to him, but he is lost and the preschool is jsut describing him as a 'bit slow'! If they could communicate with him in the way that he understands they would find he is not f**king slow! Without support he is going to really struggle in school, and he has a right to reach his full potential not jsut muddle through.
We are still waiting for speech therapy and to be seen by a physio and don't seem to be getting anywhere. I feel liek I am banging my head against a brick wall.

KK

Yes the ol, "come back in six months" mantra. Have heard that a lot. Looks like they're perhaps dragging their feet and will not commit to a diagnosis.

Have you been advised to apply for a Statement even though you have not got an official diagnosis yet?. If his needs cannot be met by school then a Statement should be issued. You should be encouraged to apply to the LEA for such a document. You as the parent can do this and it is best if the request comes from you, you do not need school to write for you. It goes without saying that your DS certainly has the right to an education and to meet his full potential, not just "muddkle through" or "struggle".

Can you talk with the SENCO at the school he will be attending?.

IPSEA are very good at all this and can advise you further too. Their web address is www.ipsea.org.uk.

HTH

I have already spoken to the headteacher at the school he will be attending from Jan and asked for copies of the paediatric report to be sent to the area senco. I don't think i can do anything else until he actually starts school. At the moment he is getting mostly 1 to 1 support. Until he starts we won't really know what needs aren't going to be met. I know he won't udnerstand the teacher at least half the time, and they will have great fun if he decides to do one of his explosions in the bathroom, and when he runs through all the other children knocking him down! I guess its going to be a case of seeing how the school cope with him. His behaviour isn't severe and I can really see them jsut leaving him to muddle through and I want more for him than that.

I wish I could afford a private paed. I am seriosuly considering bibic at least, but jsut not in a postion to be able to take him there at the moment.

"I know he won't udnerstand the teacher at least half the time, and they will have great fun if he decides to do one of his explosions in the bathroom, and when he runs through all the other children knocking him down! I guess its going to be a case of seeing how the school cope with him".

KK

I feel for you but you really do not want the school situation to get potentially bad for your DS. The school could well keep calling you in about his behaviour.

You yourself can do something. Premept the above scenarios. You can apply to the LEA yourself for DS to be assessed. Some children do get a Statement issued without a formal diagnosis.

Also waiting until the end of next spring term for his next paed review is totally not on. You need another appointment far earlier than that and a diagnosis needs to be made by the paed.

At the very least talk with BIBIC. You are not powerless to act. You are your child's best and only advocate.