Paed said no autism?

[MuddyForestWalks]

DD is 3.9, diagnosed verbal dyspraxia. She also has sensory issues, attention issues, problems with transitions, struggles badly to socialise in all but the very smallest of groups, very fussy eater, horrific sleeper, some obsessions and fixations etc etc. Her preschool and speech therapist both suggested she see the Child Development Team, and the area SENCO agreed having watched her during a preschool session. So preschool wrote a report, the GP duly agreed, we got referred, I chatted with the consultant for a bit, consultant made DD build a block tower - then said no, her only issue is the verbal dyspraxia.

Can anyone explain to me how she ruled out autism etc in such a short space of time? I know I should have asked but tbh I was so surprised that it was just point blank ruled out, despite preschool (really experienced staff who have known DD in a small setting for well over a year and been in that setting for many many years, not an over enthusiastic new starter) and others expressing concerns? I would have expected maybe a 'wait and see', 'come back in a year/two years' etc, not an outright dismissal of people's concerns.

MuddyForestWalks that does seem odd. Our assessment involved an extensive history and minimal observation of DS as he refused to stay in the consultation room. They also had a report written by the SALT who had seen him a few times. He has most of the issues you mention and was diagnosed ASD. A doctor friend of mine was very surprised that he was diagnosed so easily and quickly but I assumed it was that he ticked a lot of boxes. I guess it’s just pot luck which paed you get. Fwiw I do think our diagnosis is correct but it came very easily compared to the struggles with diagnosis you read about here. They want to see him again this year.

Do you have a SALT or other specialist that you’re working with that you can request an explanation through?

I had a very brief chat with my NHS SALT, she seemed surprised and did say that I could ask for a second opinion if I wanted (she did say that she hasn't personally seen many causes for concern with DD, but acknowledges that in a highly structured, 1-1 session specifically designed to keep DD's attention, that isn't surprising). She hasn't noticed the update at that point though, because apparently she'd been on the tab which only showed her own case notes.

I wonder can I request a copy of the paeds notes through the GP or something.

The paed should issue you a report with their findings. I believe that our NHS SALT knew that our DS had ASD after seeing him twice though she never said this outright. I think their experience means that they can tell when a child’s behaviour is not typical.

But, of course, girls can mask well too.

DD's private SALT was fairly convinced about autism from their first meeting too.

I don’t know, but we had the opposite experience. After 15 min with my DS the paed said he definitely needed referral for full assessment and the we should expect ASD diagnosis. I went into the meeting in two minds, but it was apparently very obvious to an expert.

Bit odd. Our similar experience to others. Saw paed first for developmental appointment, then clinical psych for full history, then clinical psych did a 1 hour session, then special salt did 2/3 assessments spaced out (unusal presentation of asd). We also had groupd 6 group sessions to ob ds in social setting. And at least 2 school ob visits. This was over a year

Our experience was similar to yours, I found it very frustrating. DS was seen at a similar age mainly due to concerns about motor skills and constant falling (also there were sensory and behavioural issues) and the peadiatrician looked horrified when I mentioned the "A" word. I would second the wait-and-see approach, especially as she already has another diagnosis, as the picture may well be clearer when your DD is a little older.

DS is now 7 and (most of the time) is coping better at school than I would have thought possible. Reception was a pretty awful year for him in school, but he has responded well to the structure/routine of year 1/2. His motor skills and balance have improved, but his behaviour can be pretty challenging at home. I am fairly certain that he has Asperger's/HFA but we are no closer to a diagnosis, as school don't see an issue either!

I had a similar sort of a thing, they suspected ASD and it showed a positive indication on the screening questionnaire, but then another of her things came back saying she had low executive functioning and they said all her issues must be part of that, they will not pursue any autism assessment any more. Now all her reports say "learning difficulty" on them but there is no such thing as a non specific learning difficulty. You have a learning disability (which she was borderline for but didn't meet the criteria) or you have a specific learning difficulty (dyslexia, etc.) so I have no idea what this non-specific "learning difficulty" is they are always chirping on about, which seems to be what's putting the brakes on assessing for anything else.

We have also had this where our DD(9) has been diagnosed with DCD, but due to the other sensory issues, social anxiety, adapting to change etc, we broached the subject of ASD, only to be told that they were "quirks" and she didn't warrant a full assessment.

Currently we're waiting to see if we can push anything through the school to get something that way, as we're not convinced that it's nothing, but sometimes you just feel like it's a constant uphill struggle.

We suspected autism from when DS was three.

We were told by various professionals that it was just speech and language delay. One doctor said he definitely didn't have autism on the strength of one hour's observation. An experienced teacher said there was nothing wrong with him, he was just naughty/awkward/lazy.

When he was nearly 8, DS was diagnosed with ASD.