Not-quite diagnosis

[user1464279374]

Hi all,

My son is 3 (just turned) and today had his assessment for ASD. The team were so wonderful and I have spent all day thankful for the NHS, but we are still in limbo a little for another 6-9 months re diagnosis.

Basically they said they think he is autistic, but he doesn't meet a couple of criteria (to do with need for routine and some sensory things). So we are going to wait until the Autumn and re-assess.

I'm not too stressed or upset about it because they basically said everything we thought! And there is no rush to have a diagnosis as they'll be providing more speech therapy and occupational therapy.

I just wondered how many people had had a 'probably' diagnosis only for it to not be one a year down the line? And intrigued as to how common the 'not quite sure' conclusion is at this point!

Thanks so much in advance.

We didn't have a "probably" diagnosis. We had a "not" diagnosis.

We had concerns about our son from the age of 3 and we just kept getting fobbed off.

One psychologist said he definitely wasn't autistic on the basis of one hour's observation.

He was finally diagnosed when he was nearly 8, by which time one teacher at school had already done the damage.

I think because your son is still very young, he can still develop in various ways. My ds is 4 and I’m noticing his behaviour and new behaviours as he is becoming older. At 3, some things could be attributed to being 3 iyswim.
Whereas as your child becomes older there is usually a certain increase in development and a child’s understanding. At 4, it becomes more obvious.
Each specific area needs to be assessed so Carers can ensure good understanding etc to help the child in his/her environment.

My DS was older, but we had 6 years of... well it’s something, but we’re not quite sure it’s autism so we’re not willing to diagnose at this time, come back in 6 months before they finally diagnosed autism.

He’s the only person I know of that took that long though, I’ve known a few to be diagnosed straight away and a couple after a second assessment. I can’t think of anyone who has no diagnosis of something (not necessarily autism) after being assessed... but that would be because they wouldn’t have made it as far as that if there weren’t obvious developmental issues.