ASD - Anyone in Southwark? Going to start the process of getting a diagnosis again

[kitegirl]

My little boy is 2.11 and we can't hide our head in the sand any longer. A community paed suggested ASD at a CDC last may, but given that he was 2.2 at the time and we went in because of a slight speech delay, I basically told her that she was wrong, we got a second opinion that at the time said he ticked some of the boxes but not enough to warrant a full diagnosis.

However, I think what I am seeing is an autistic regression. Over the past few weeks I have been watching my son disappear in front of my eyes. It's so scary. He has lost a lot of the small vocab he had and even some of his motor skills. After a disastrous children's birthday party on sunday that we had to leave early because he was screaming and howling, we said 'that's it'.

I have to start again. I need to find another paed in Southwark who understands ASD because the one we saw at the Wilfrid Sheldon centre was vile. My GP is useless as well so I plan to go in tomorrow with info and tell him what he needs to do. Anyone in Southwark with a child with ASD who has gone through the diagnostic process and who could give me any advice?

I spent last night doing archive searches on this board, and felt a lot better as a result. What an amazing source of support and information. Thank you in advance.

I know - I've read about it being common. Didn't want to believe it first, especially when well-meaning relatives and friends kept telling us not to worry as he is such a 'happy little boy' and 'just likes being on his own a lot, what's wrong with that?'...

The NAS is a good idea, didn't think of that, thank you.

We went through the diagnosis procedure in Southwark. May or may not have seen the same Paed! I would say that the procedure was not handled sensitively but it was dealt with fairly speedily. We were pretty pushy and I don't know whether that helped. The Ed Psych was very impressive. Our child was 2.10 when we started the process of following up suspected problems. We, too, thought he just had language problems and we were very defensive about any other diagnosis. In the end the ASD diagnosis opened more doors and allowed us to fight for the statement. Having moved recently out of the area, I now have the experience of the most horrendous LEA and I look back on Southwark with fairly positive thoughts.

just to add ... in our area the GP was lovely but completely unaware of procedures etc We told him what to do. The Health visitor was terrible.

shey thank you for this. do you mind if I CAT you with a couple of questions?

fine! I am not sure whether I am set up so if something doesn't work,let me know and I will try and see whether I have set everything up as I should have done,

My ds was diagnosed with Aspergers at the Sheldon Centre. I have found the provision to be, on the whole, pretty brilliant compared to the experiences of many on this board. I have been in contact with OTs, physios and paediatricians there.

kitegirl, not in Southwark but just wanted to send you best wishes for getting a dx