First appointment with Community Paediatrics re potential ASD - what to expect?

[YogiYoni]

Hi all,
DS (aged 5) and I have our first appointment with Community Paediatrics tomorrow after being referred by his GP for suspected ASD. What should I expect from this first meeting? Will it be with DS and I together or will I have the chance to talk to the paediatrician alone? I'd prefer not to discuss my concerns in front of DS as so much of what I want to say could be construed negatively and one of his biggest issues is anxiety/self esteem so I don't want him to hear it if possible. There's no information at all in the letter so I don't know what to expect. Thank you for any guidance or support!

We had our first appointment with the community pead last week.

Our dd came in with us and was asked to draw at a table while we chatted. The pead went through the school report and general info about family/medical issues etc. He very briefly asked what our concerns were. We felt very awkward at this point as our dd was still in the room. TBH, I had expected that she'd perhaps be taken elsewhere while we had this conversation. He then did height/weight and chatted briefly to dd.

At this point he decided that there was enough evidence from home and school to refer her for an A-DOS.

I came away feeling a little frustrated that we hadn't been able to speak freely about all of dd's issues but we got the outcome we hoped for which was the main concern.

Thank you for replying. That sounds very similar to our experience this morning. I felt listened to and the paediatrician was lovely, but I'm not sure I raised everything I would have done had DS not been with me. DS was also on amazingly good form (perhaps as all the attention was on him!) so the Dr didn't really get to see the symptoms. He's referring DS to the Ed Pysch and will see us again himself in 6-8 months.

DH & I go to appointments together so our DS doesn't have to hear anything. TBH I object to taking him out of school for him to sit in the waiting room so I always check to see if it's essential he comes every time. Sometimes the NHS person will do the talk over the phone at a different time. But if you don't ask they don't offer. It's not good.....

Yes! That's just how we felt Yogi. They obviously heard enough to refer your ds on so that's good.

Thanks for the tip tartan I'll try that in future. I think with this being the first appointment, they wanted dd there.