What to except at “first assessment” with community paediatrician

[Snowdrop80]

DS5 had a “75 minute first assessment” appointment with a community paediatrician at our local hospital next week.

He is suspected ASD and the SENCO at his school has referred him for an assessment for this but I believe his appointment next week is regarding possible dyspraxia which the GP sent a referral for a few months ago.

I was just wondering what to expect for this appointment and what usually happens? I presume a diagnosis can’t be given at this first appointment and that more appointments with other health professionals would be required for that?

Ours was very play based mixed with the ped asking some questions / background. It was really nice, informal, relaxed. Getting DD to do some colouring, some puzzles etc. We got a comprehensive report that put her milestones in age brackets which has then been really useful for accessing other services etc. we then had it in writing she would be on a waitlist for a diagnosis which we were told was two years minimum. We aren’t fussed about the diagnosis as it doesn’t change anything.

It varies depending on the area you are in. There’s no one set process/number of appointments. They will talk to you about things like developmental history, family history, pregnancy, current difficulties. There may be a physical examination &/or tasks for DD to do. There may be questionnaires to complete.

At DD's initial paediatrician appointment (for ASD pathway), the paediatrician basically asked many questions about our concerns, developmental history (from my pregnancy, birth, milestones), about fine and gross motor skills, and various ASD-related questions to do with emotions, communication and routine.

Also did physical checks - weight, height, general examination.

She asked DD a few questions; I think mainly to see how she responded to her.

The appointment was basically to see whether she thought ASD assessment was needed and/or any other referrals should be made.

The conclusion of ours was that she recommended DD be assessed for ASD and also that a referral for ADHD assessment should be made by the school.

She gave me ASD questionnaires to fill in and also for the school to fill in.

Those completed questionnaires went with her report to a panel (held monthly) that discusses cases to decide whether they should be put on the waiting list for assessment.

DD was placed (and still is) on the waiting list (which the paediatrician said was 2-3 years in our area). Since then however, I asked our GP for a Right to Choose referral to a private provider and she has had her ASD assessment and been diagnosed.

At our DS 5 intial meeting we sat with someone and went through our concerns whilst he played with toys with another paediatrician who observed his play and interaction.

6 months later we had a similar meeting where we updated them. They also did height, weight, hearing and eye test.

Then a year later he's just had an assessment at school where a speech and language therapist observed him at break time, a lesson and had a 1-1 session. They will discuss their report with the others at panel and then we get invited to a face to face discussion which is where we should hear the diagnosis.

I hope it goes ok.

would really appreciate it if you could let me know what it involves. We have one for my daughter in a few weeks and I have no idea what to expect