First community paediatrician appointment for asd

[Cinnamoncupcake]

Hello,
My DD is nearly 4 and is going for her first community paediatrician appointment next week and I’m so nervous because we have been waiting for this appointment for so long. Is anyone able to give me some advice on what happens at this appointment? How long it usually lasts? And how long it takes for an assessment if they choose to do this? I have spoken with my DD SENCo at nursery and she is convinced they will see she needs assessing as soon as they see her and will be diagnosed before she starts school in September 2025. We are putting in for a EHC after this appointment along with a EHCP so hopefully something is in place ready for September as me and the nursery feel she won’t cope in mainstream school without anything. I just want what’s best for her and the support she needs. Alittle bit about her,
she is very sensory especially towards touch, she gets physically and verbally angry and will shout, cry and hurt anyone one that is near, she has no sense of danger, she doesn’t retain information, she rarely sits down she is on the go all day and when she does she is jumpy and fidgety then gets back up, she is sensory to food ( won’t eat warm foods ), hardly sleeps, she is a runner and will dart at any given time, she tries to escape boundaries, sensory to clothes and shoes, she won’t be told what to do everything is on her own terms or it results in meltdowns, meltdowns over even positive praise, repetitive with toys and words, copies what others do and say, overpowering towards anyone, she is hard to potty train because of sensory issues she runs and flaps alots and her new one this months she spends everyday acting like and cat or dog. Nursery are very good with her and her needs but they do find it hard to teach her anything and change her clothes and nappy. Any advice would be much appreciated

The process (including the length of the appointment and the wait for further assessment) varies from area to area.

Some common themes are taking a history (e.g. strengths/difficulties, milestones, nursery, your pregnancy/labour, family history…) They may want to examine DD &/or observe her playing/completing tasks. There may be questionnaires for you to complete. Sometimes they want blood tests.

It can help to make a list prior to the appointment so you don’t forget anything you want to say/ask.

If you think DD needs an EHCP and she is due to start reception in September 2025, you should request an EHCNA ASAP. Don’t wait. The process takes 20 weeks if you don’t have to appeal. However, many do have to appeal, sometimes more than once. If you fall into that group, you may not have an EHCP by September, so there’s no time to lose. And you must make sure you make a school application via the normal admissions process too because you won’t have a finalised EHCP by the normal application deadline.

Thank you for your reply,
The paediatrician sent me forms to fill in that has birth to now, strength and difficulties all my concerns and questions I would like to ask so maybe they will just go through that form with me, they also sent a form for nursery to fill out which states clearly she is no different at that setting and that she is going to struggle without support when she starts school. I didn’t know sometimes they take bloods 🤦‍♀️ she will be a nightmare if she needs that done, she reacts badly to touch.
Do you know if you can apply for a EHCP and EHCNA at the same time? I’m thinking the forms we have just done for the paediatrician would be good evidence to add for me to apply for a EHCNA now and then her nursery has everything ready to send off for a EHCP as soon she has been seen on Tuesday. It’s all just such a worry knowing she will be going to a place that isn’t right for her, the reception teacher is very good with her but she would definitely need a 1-1 all day, I cant see her lasting a week at that school without one.

An EHCNA is the needs assessment you first request as part of the EHCP process. You don’t apply for an EHCP directly.

IPSEA and SOSSEN are charities who support parents. They have lots of helpful information on their websites. It is worth having a look.

Try not to worry about a blood test if DD needs one. If DD needs bloods, you can request a play therapist is involved and they use cream/gel/spray to numb the area and buzzy if the hospital has one. It can also be something that is worked towards over several appointments if necessary.

Thank you so much for all your help, I have requested a EHCNA 3 days ago so we are just waiting for the paediatrician report to add to to her application now, my daughter had her first paediatrician appointment today and she got diagnosed with pda autism, totally shocked they diagnosed her there and then and it sounds like the paediatrician is going to help push to get a EHCP in place by September, so fingers crossed she will start getting the right support

Glad the appointment went well.

With the EHCNA, make sure the LA sticks to the timescales.