what support for ASD in Scotland if your child is dx'd?

[bluesubmarine]

We referred our ds (9) recently via our gp, and have just received the initial questionnaire.....it now feels 'real' and potentially life changing - (at this point we are not mentioning it to DS as we are v unsure how knowing/not knowing might affect him.) - and I'm wondering if anyone out there has gone through the same thing ....we are in G Glasgow area.

Was your DC told whether they were on the spectrum?

The school has been v supportive, but have said a dx won't make any difference as there's no money for extra support staff.

Mainly I feel I need help from professionals that would help me understand and support him better, (and guide us) and I'm just wondering - what support might we expect to discover/be opened to us if he is dx'd...?

Thnx

We are in Scotland though I don't think many on here are. Our ds doesn't have ASD though. Support seems to be more related to need rather than diagnosis although an ASD diagnosis would open specialist units and services up to you if it was felt by the school or lea that your ds needed them. Unlike England, there is very little you can do to force the LEAs hand at the moment. The only 'legal' document is a co-ordinated support plan but you can only get one of those if you require significant input from another service (eg NHS) or the council in a non-educational capacity (eg social work). Educational need alone, however great, isn't enough.

NAS education covers Scotland, I believe
0808 800 4102

I don't mind sharing our experiences though I'm not sure if they'll help you much. We're on the south side of glasgow.

My DS was dx (autism) at just over 3 and has recently turned 5.

In terms of support, we weren't offered anything though tbf, he doesn't have any challenging/difficult behaviours or sensory problems. Our only experience was with SALT, which was pretty rubbish, and we did it privately after being discharged by NHS.

In terms of school, i can't offer much advice as DS is still at nursery, though the way I understood it to work was that support would always be based on need, rather than the actual diagnosis. That's certainly how they work it at his mainstream nursery.

It’s also worth looking at the Enquire website – Enquire are the Scottish government’s Additional Support for Learning advice service. They can tell you what you’re legally entitled to and what the school or local authority should do. I found their telephone advice line 0845 123 2303 very helpful. They produce a parents guide to ASL which you can read on their website or get as a booklet and take along to meetings at the school

My DS was diagnosed with an ASC at age 6 and the psychologist talked about it in front of him! I was at the time but it meant DH and I had to talk to DS about it so he's always known about his diagnosis and that's made it easier for him to accept it. I think you are right not to talk about possible diagnoses yet to your DS - better to wait until you know for sure.

DS got a lot of support at school, including some ASC-specialist support with his behaviour from the local authority (but we're not in Glasgow so it may be different) He was also offered sessions in a social/communication skills group with a SALT which helped him get on with the other kids and with adults in school. He had a "record of needs" at first (like a statement) but those don't exist any more, and he didn't qualify for a Co-ordinated Support Plan at all.

Wishing the very best to you and your DS

Thanks everyone for good wishes and taking the time to reply, I'll look into the resources mentioned.

At the end of the day I'm wondering what the purpose of us pursuing a dx if it doesn't actually offer anything to help...but if it means having a framework to fall back on that would be useful.

Our DS functions well, but as time goes on (and High school looms) I'd like support/understanding in place for when it's needed.

Thanks again

Yes, help is based on need, but the diagnosis also tells schools what kind of need it is – that some difficulties are not based on poor parenting or lack of motivation, but poor communication or sensory problems. Little adaptations in school can make a big difference. In high school my DS is allowed to have fidget toys in class. For him, fidgeting is not a sign of distraction, instead it satisfies a sensory need and improves his focus. With an ASC diagnosis it’s understood and it's not just me saying it!

That's good to hear....certainly the primary have been very understanding and supportive, and it was them who flagged up the issue that he may be functioning well because of the support and understanding he gets from school and family....and a bigger, more unknown school environment may make him more stressed, so having the understanding in place for him moving on will be reassuring...

I'm pretty sure we're doing the right thing......not an easy decision because you do worry no-one will believe you, or that you're just being too precious and over-protective.