Diagnosis timescales

[Sueaxlbrick]

My DS is 9 and has been referred to the community paediatrician for an assessment for ASD. He was referred over in December last year and I called today to find out the timescale I might be waiting for his appointment and was told they can't tell me but it will be a long time, definitely months and not weeks.

Is anyone else further along this process and can tell me how long it was until the first appointment and then what to expect? My DS is struggling with a lot of things but mainly a lot of issues and anxiety around school. The school haven't made any adjustments for him and, although they are good with him when he is upset, there seems to be no attempt at understanding the triggers and helping to minimise these. I feel that a diagnosis would make it easier as it would be in black and white but seems like it will be a long time coming. I'm feeling so down today after another massive meltdown going in this morning and I just don't know what else I can do to get things moving for him.

Timescales and the process varies so much depending on your area, no one here can say unless they are in the same area as you. Support in school should be based on needs though, not diagnosis. They have a duty to make their best endeavours to meet his SEN.

Where I am in the Midlands I have been told to expect to wait wound 89 weeks to his first appointment. It's appalling. That's all I can say on the matter. It's so bad.
However many others have told me regardless it will take a very very long time. Usually years to get a diagnosis

I am in Hampshire we where sent to a private company paid for via Cahms. It took 10 months from referral to diagnosis.

Ilovechocolatetoomuch
That's interesting, I might contact CAMHS to ask about that.

Thank you for your replies. Although the school seem to be good at dealing with him when he is upset going into school they don't seem to make any allowances or put anything in place to help him day to day. Because he masks so well his behaviour is very good at school so he doesn't trigger anything with them. Things like moving the seating plan a few days before the end of term and when he told them he was anxious about it just saying 'it's not going to be changed back' and things like preventing him from using a Fidget bracelet to help his anxiety. I do believe that, if he was having meltdowns at school or showing more difficult behaviours then he would be given more leeway but because it's hidden so well they seem to make no adjustments for him at all. I think having an actual diagnosis would mean they have to deal with it but I might be wrong.

I think having an actual diagnosis would mean they have to deal with it but I might be wrong.

Dont bank on this, support should be needs based, and if school aren’t supportive now it’s unlikely they will be even with a diagnosis.

The examples you give of lack of adjustments are unacceptable. Have you spoken to the SENCO?

I’m not saying you don’t need an assessment and diagnosis, obviously you do, but don’t. Expect the school to have a change in attitude b3 abuse of it.

*Because