ASD diagnosis - Joint clinic today

[MWNA]

My wife just called me.
She's on an inset day as a teacher in her brand new job. Just got a call that there's a cancellation for a joint clinic.

He's 3 in November. We've been waiting a year. Can't believe it.

I'm stuck at work. So wish I was there to support them.

God. The stress of it all.

I'm glad that you got a cancellation. I would have been gutted not to be at my DD's assessment but actually she really enjoyed the session and there was no need for us both to be there for her benefit (more for ours!) Knowing is much better than not knowing though, so I think you're doing the right thing to go ahead even though you can't be there.

Will your wife be told the outcome today or later? We got a separate appointment about a week later where we were told the results of the overall assessment and had a chance to discuss and ask questions, so hopefully you might get the same?

In another job I might have been able to wangle time off but I'm a nurse in a hospice so just can't dash off. Thank goodness my wife was on an inset day and the USP of her school seems to be "family first" (or at least very near the top of the list.)

I really hope we're told as soon as possible. We know he is autistic. I am. His donor is. His sister is. But that official diagnosis is going to make things... better somehow. He is much more disabled than the other member of his family who are ASD.

Oh wow - well you are already experts then! Whereas for us it was the start of a long journey of learning (or part way through really, as we'd been told they were pretty sure before then).

Hope you hear today, or very soon if not.

Thanks LightTripper - I really appreciate your replies.

We got the diagnosis. It's as we thought.
I feel surprisingly mixed about it. 😐

That’s quite normal, even when you’re expecting it. It takes a while to process it all.

Agreed. We had already been told she almost definitely was but I was still in two minds and hearing it was still a shock somehow (and also weirdly anticlimactic as I guess big news you are expecting often is). It's a lot to take in and process. I think it just takes time.

I wasn't able to be there for my son's diagnosis appointment either (also a nurse). DH took him with my father. I knew he was already (I think DH is too, he is due his assessment any day now and dd1 is also on a waiting list).

I felt numb/shock at first even though I knew and it was positive to have the diagnosis as it meant he got more support. Be prepared that you might go through up and downs of emotions as you process this new information.

DS is going into year 1 now and the intervention he had from SALT and nursery/school meant he went from being non verbal and not playing with his peers at all to talking full sentences (self generated not repeated) and now plays in small groups with his peers.