How do you get different diagnosis'

[Anono2022]

Hi.

First I apologise for sounding so naive but how do you get different diagnosis' for your child? Or is is case if needing to be referred for assessment with all?

8yo DS is on pathway for ASC diagnosis in a few months time. He has all agencies involved and heavy OT involvement due to his sensory needs and mobility. She has mentioned Dyspraxia, Visual Dyspraxia, Complex sensory difficulties, poor memory and auditory processing difficulties. She has also observed Complex OCD traits and anxiety. How do these get officially diagnosed? I know ASC is through the panel meeting with CAMHS, Paediatrician, SALT and Inclusion support but what about the other things?

Also I am pretty certain my son needs to be assessed for ADHD too. I've suspected both ASC and ADHD for a long time. I know there is overlap but he presents alot of ADHD traits. How do I request assessment for this too? I didn't request autism assessment, after the intial assessment with SALT my son was put on the pathway. I had my ideas but I just wanted to get their input and thoughts.
Could ADHD be covered at the same panel meeting or is is separate? Who initiates it? Or who do I mention it to?

T.i.a

It depends on the area you live in. In some areas the autism assessment won’t consider any other diagnosis although will refer on if they suspect another diagnosis. In other areas they will diagnose other conditions during e process. Who diagnoses other conditions depends on the condition you are talking about and the area you live in.

For example, ADHD in some areas this is via a general CAMHS referral. In other areas there is a specific pathway. In some areas if the the ASD assessors thought DS had ADHD as well they will refer on and in others they will diagnose it themselves.

I'm glad you asked this @Anono2022 as I didn't know either

We had a home assessment today due to complex sensory needs and I asked her the question. In our area they can be discussed at the same panel meeting if those assessing feel he has characteristics of different things. OT isn't part of the panel but she can submit supporting evidence to assist diagnosis.
We are with the Neuro Disability Paediatrician in April so I will definitely put it on their radar then