Going to try and get DS assessed - advice anyone?

[SevenCarrots]

I have a GP appointment booked in a couple of weeks to get the ball rolling to get my DS, 7, referred for assessment for ASD. Does anyone have any tips as to how best to manage this appointment?

I did start this process last year but it stalled for various reasons. Last time I went and spoke to a GP who said he couldn't refer without seeing DS. I then made another appointment and took DS. I thought this was a complete waste of time since DS didn't know why he was there, and what was he going to tell by just looking at him?

So this time, in order not to waste time, I thought I would take DS and leave him outside until I'd spoken to the doctor, then bring him in.

Do you think I should tell DS why we're going to the doctor?

Do you think I should write down a list of all the things I see in DS that match symptoms of ASD? Or should I concentrate more on telling him the difficulties that DS is having and why we think testing/diagnosis would be helpful?

I would do a list of things that concern you separated into headings like social, communication, motor skills, sensory, learning, self-care, sleep, for example, and record problems and also anything unusual. Use bullet points and not too small font to make it easy to read!

I agree with Polter. When I went to the GP I took 6 sides of A4 detailing the history of DS1 (then 5) from birth onwards and all the issues we had, concerns from pre-school, holiday club and reception (he had just started Y1 at that point). She didn't actually read it in the appointment, but she did afterwards and sent it to the Paed and I think it really helped. I asked for a double appointment so I had time to go through stuff, and didn't take DS1 since as you say it's pointless as the GP can't diagnose, but if they won't refer without seeing him I suppose you'll have to and your suggestion makes sense if you are happy to leave him in the waiting room without you (I couldn't do that, but your DS is older and of course a completely different person ).

With my son I struggled for at least 5 years knowing that there was something not quite right but being unable to articulate what, precisely, was the issue/problem, but being dismissed by professionals as he was a late developer being a july baby. It wasn't until he was caught self harming by the staff at school in Y8 whereupon the school nurse phoned the surgery to report her concerns, at which point we got a referral to peads and OT.. He's got diagnosed dyspraxia. Despite being on school action + and having IEP's from Y2 -Y6 secondary school didn't want to know. The more evidence you can gain from independent of you sources, (I took all copies of IEP's, action + and school reports (Photocopied and highlighted) and tried to keep to facts and statements in said paperwork. My goal was/is that the correct support can be provided and become his normal way of working before his GCSE year, as all I want is for him to have a level playing field when it comes to his results. I hope this helps.

Thanks for your help everyone. I am going to write a detailed report to take with me when I go to leave with the GP. The main issue with DS at the moment is that he's starting to question why he is sometimes treated differently than his younger brother. He's also started to say things like "I have no idea what's going on in the playground sometimes". I really want to get him some answers.

That's an excellent reason for assessment Seven, and hopefully means he can articulate some of what he's noticed himself.

Good luck

I would email it to the gp prior to the appointment. explaining it details why you are going. then they have the knowledge before hand and can use the appointment to ask further questions etc. I always email priors to appointments if I have questions too as I am more likely to get considered researched responses. Sometimes email instead of appointments too which saves every one time!

Thanks everyone. I have written a letter, with proper sub-headings and bullet points in a nice friendly font and will drop it in to the doctors on Monday. I've asked them to let me know whether or not I need to bring DS with me. Fingers crossed!

Just to update - I saw the doctor today. He thought my letter was great and very thorough, and immediately said he would refer DS for assessment! Thanks for the advice, people!

Good luck on your journey, local regions really don't like spending extra money on children so at least now the ball is rolling!

To update this thread - we received DS's official ASD diagnosis last week, so that's a relief.

Please could you let me have your advice on where to go from here with school? His school have been very supportive so far, but he currently does not receive any specific extra help there, even though they have been aware for some time that he was suspected ASD. Does this mean that even though we now have a definite diagnosis, they don't believe he needs extra help?

He copes relatively well in school a lot of the time, but then loses the plot at home. Of course this means that he's managing to hold it together at school, but struggling.

He's very bright, but has just received a rather mediocre report which would suggest that he's not achieving his potential.

Please could you let me know what specific interventions your ASD child receives at school? How does e.g. a 1 to 1 teacher actually help the child to learn? As I said, DS is very bright but he's in his own little world a lot of the time which must mean he is missing instructions etc. He also stresses out over things like lunch money, losing his playtime snack, remembering to bring his homework home. Ideally I want to request things be put in place that mean he can worry less about the little things like this so he can concentrate on the actual learning.

Are these all things that an assessment from Ed Psych would help solve?

We are in Scotland, if that helps, so no EHCP process exists.