Global development delay diagnosis

[MrsDipz]

Hi, first time posting...
I'm a mum of 4, 3 girls and 1 boy. My son has recently turned 4 years old.
We have questioned his development since he was around 18 months old.
We eventually got referral to the consultant paediatrician and it's been a bit of a roller coaster ever since. It came about that he has hearing loss so now wears aids, he has speech delay also, he has many autistic traits, and has been on the pathway for diagnosis for some time, but although those traits are still present, he is now no longer being assessed for autism due to progress in his speech since the hearing aids. This was a blow, as my husband and I truly believe he is autistic. We know that school believe it is possible also, so he can be referred to be assessed again in 12 months time.
I have read that global delay can make diagnosis of ASD more difficult, does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this?
My son is also being referred to be screened for absence epilepsy and to neurologist. He also has massive issues with food and is quite sensory with touch and sound.
Does anyone have any advice on what support my son is likely to get at school? He's currently in nursery, but will be going full day in reception in September. Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance xx

Hi, if you want help for your son in school you need to apply for an EHCP

www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-assessments

This can either be done through the nursery or by you. I would definitely get the ball rolling now as it can take quite a long time to get everything finalised and it really makes a big difference having everything in place before school starts. It is not based on diagnosis just on needs.

I'm not sure how the diagnostic process goes with a development delay. I guess they are tying to give your ds some time to adjust to the hearing aids. Definitely keep pushing a diagnosis appointment if you feel he needs it.

Hello

You need to apply for a EHCP. Definitely start getting the ball rolling as it is not a quick process and having one can help. Good luck. If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thanks for this, I am in Wales, and I know that things can often be different here, would you happen to know if it is the same process for us here? As I know there were a lot of changes being made to the whole statutory assessment process, he's already in morning nursery and due to start full time in September, I just feel so lost with it all

specialneedsjungle.com/sen-reforms-wales-what-parents-need-know/

Just found this, but it's from 2 years ago. I'm in England so don't know much about the welsh system but hopefully someone else on here will.

Thank u liv, will give that a read, have also self referred into snap cymru for advice and guidance do hopefully will get somewhere. My main concern is that he currently gets no one to one support, and will not cope with the transition to full day at school