Has anyone decided to ask the paed not to make an ASD dx official?

[Twoseventhsaweasley]

DS1 is 5.8 and in year 1 at school. This week the community paediatrician has said that she is happy to give him a diagnosis of ASD if it is what we want.

We have asked for more time to think about it. We have discussed it over and over. There seem to be many good arguments for both getting him an official dx and asking for him not to be given a dx.

Has anyone decided against a dx?

Was it the right decision?

Has not having a dx caused your child any problems?

I realize there is not one correct decision. We are just so unsure about what to do.

Thank you

I agree with Polter, even though schools should respond to need. Some of the time, they truly don't.

When DS was in nursery and he had an obvious delay in his speech, they did nothing. But when he got his diagnosis, they perked up and did the IEP's and so on. Though even at that they were still useless.

OP, having a diagnosis has it's benefits, I have more access to services, better understanding from his school I'm so glad DS was diagnosed young. The only downside to a diagnosis I had was when they assume that all interventions work for a particular child with a diagnosis e.g. autism, they didn't look at DS needs or try to get to know him.

Zzzz has just reminded me of something. I was told by another parent that in my county the OT service won't accept children with ASD. DS was diagnosed with dyspraxia, referred to OT and then diagnosed with AS 6 months later. So there may have been some truth in that. I'd forgotten about that.

zzzz- Don't understand your comment??

Frusso, I agree. I think
It seems to be a post code lottery.

Oh I see! Thanks for explains Frusso.

Thank you very much for all of your replies. It has given us even more to think about. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your points of view and experiences.

Our DS has a medical history which means that he can't pursue some careers such as the police and armed forces anyway. For him, this dx would not make a difference in that respect. He has referrals to CAMHS and OT already.

Given that we cannot see into the future, we need to work out whether or not a diagnosis would allow him to access more service and support, and so smooth his path a little, or if it would be a millstone around his neck bringing incorrect assumptions and added stigma.

Thank you very much