How do you read this, from peads report?

[jjones]

I finally got the peads report for ds2, his appointment was in Jan. It just goes over what she asked and what he did during the appointment, but one paragraph at the end says the following, "I explained to L's mother that in my opinion he does show some traits seen in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder but that he needs further assessment before we can begin to consider any possible diagnosis, especially in view of his young age."
To me it feels like she is fobbing us off a bit because of his age, but DH think she is saying he hasn't got autism as he is too young and I should be ecstatic.
We live in a rubbish local area where I found that the average age for diagnosis of ASD is 7 and for AS is 11, which from a bit of research I think is quite late. I am just wondering what everyone else thought of what she has said.

She's saying he shows signs but needs further assssment before a diagnosis can be made. Not unreasonable.

What IS unreasonable is that average age!! early intervention is CRUCIAL!!! mine were diagnosed at 2.5 and nearly 3!

Push for the further assessment. Tell them that early intervention is key. Be a pain in the arse.

And read up on different programmes and do them yourself (keeping records) sonrise, aba, find what works for you. don'tfeel that there's nothing you can do.

We are getting the same response from peads with dd2 (3.1), we are in the process of being assesed for ASD but have been told they don't want to rush into a dx because of her age. I don't think they like to rush as a young child can show a lot of traits which they may grow out of. Dd1 got a dx for AS when she was 4.5, i think if they gave her a dx a year before they may have got it wrong a gave her a dx of ASD because she had far more traits a year before. I am willing to wait for a dx for dd2, we know she is on the spectrum and that is enough for us for now.

completely agree with Hecate. If they feel they don't have enough info to DX, that's reasonable enough. BUT you have to be careful that doesn't mean he isn't offered appropriate support - e.g SALT, portage, possibly OT, possibly 1-1 at nursery etc. And as Hecate says, you can work with him at home on play/communication/behaviour etc. If he turns out not to have ASD then none of this work will do any harm in the slightest.

This is a very good book "Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Autism Spectrum" that is useful IMO for all sorts of language delay as well as ASD.

What are your main areas of concern about your DS?

I hven't got a problem with him needing further We are currently keeping a daily diralry and home and at nursery so we have some extra evidence of everyday behaviours. Early years team have been very good and are helping the nursery with some early intervention but they are extremely over stretched and are not supposed to give too much without dx. I a trying my best to give as much help to him as poss, I have done a course with PP's help and have started to introduce PECS, with little success, but I am trying. I can not access anything else as we need dx. We have another appointment with the pead at the end of may where she will have the report from the asd speech therapist and I have already decided that I am going to be 'a pain in the arse' and push the dx, it is only fair that he gets the best help I can give him. It is just so frustrating.

Just thought I would say ds2 is totaly none verbal with a severe lack comunication and social skills. He is also very repetative with his play and has moderate hyper sensitivity. He is obsesed with water.

Seem to have lost half of my post. What I said was that I have been here before with ds1 as he has adhd so I understand there is a proccess I just think that it needs nipping in the bud, so to speak asap.

so at least he is in the system and getting some support, but can see why you want to push for a dx if that will get him more support. Does your SALT department run Hanen courses - there is an ASD one "More than Words" as well as a general language delay one "It takes 2 to Talk" but I don't know if you would need the DX to do the ASD one. It may be worth you doing a separate thread about PECs and your difficulties as there are quite a few ladies on here who have started PECs with non-verbal children.

I think its absolutely correct to not diagnose straight away IF a clear course of investigation is outlined. When does she plan to see you again? Are you being referred elsewhere? eg. SALT, OT. Is she receiving reports from the Early years team?In our area children would be referred to the Children's centre for detailed observation at this stage. However, I would not be happy if basically she is saying wait and see and doing nothing. Even if your DS is not on the spectrum, he has a language delay and early intervention is critical.
FWIW we were told similar at our first paed appointment, but further assessments were made by SALT, EP and Early Years, and 6 months later we got a diagnosis (age 4.5). Really what she was saying to us was that she suspected an ASD but would not officially diagnose until she had the info t back it up.
It would be unproffesional to diagnose without multidisciplinary assessment.
I certainly see why your DH may be looking at a positive angle, and why that is difficult for you. It is not uncommon for there to be an element of denial.

Ask for an ADOS test. These can be done on very young children and are considered the 'gold standard' in dxing ASD/ autism.

WMF I agree with needing more info about him. She has only requested a report from the speech therapist, no-one else. I have had to request an OT as ds will not walk and is very big for his age, so I have loaned a major from a toy library. I feel like she is saying lets wait and see because that is what she said to me.
What is SALT I have read people talking about it but I have never heard about it in our area. I only heard of CAHMS in our area a few days ago and ds1 has been dx adhd for 3 years.
Childrens centres in our area are virtualy non existant, and have little more than baby clinic, and we have no sure start at all.
We do have an Inclusion centre who I have been told are very good, but we have to have dx to access it.
What is ADOS test I have never heard of it. Early years have said they have had no request for their reports but never do. They have helped with the request to LEA for assesment and they have agreed.
Ds2 is 2.10 and both myself and his key worker in nursery have known there was a problem since he was about 20 months.

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for you help. I am really liking this forum.

Sorry, SALT is Speech and Language Therapist.
Our Early years Inclusion officer sent the paed her reports as a matter of course (without request - she was included in our final 'diagnosis' meeting too.
This sounds really poor. Wait and is not adequate. I'm wondering if it is worth calling the NAS for advice - they may be able to help you advocate. They have a general helpline and a parent-parent led helpline. Hope that link works.

www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=617

Thanks WNF, yes we do have a SALT but this is only review every 2 months, and I had to request that

Just read through the report again and I don't think I would have such a problem if se hadn't have said about him being young as I know children can get a dx at his age in other parts of the country.

my ds was first seen at 2 showed signs but not enough to give dx

we were seen again when he was 3 and he showed more signs and was dx

a lot of children from a young age can show signs of ASD but be nt its just an age behavioural thing if there isn't any definite signs and doesn't tick enough boxes then thats all it can be classed as

my ds went back at 3 took same tasks and behaviorally ticked all the boxes for having ASD as in that year it was more obvious for his age that things were not right and he did have ASD

It was annoying the wait but now i can see why as if doesnt tick all the boxes it could be things that child grows out of my friends son showed all signs and given time he didnt he grew out of his obsessions etc

my other friends boy shows every sign and they wont dx and will see again in 6 mths

and my ds displays clearly signs of having ASD now and yet didn't have half these problems when first seen

i told my friend to ask for more help etc even without the dx and she has been given some groups a speech and language nursery and some behavioural help so just see in mean time what things they can offer you in mean time

i had nothing for a whole yr and he missed out on alot but have learnt as ive gone on to get anywhere you just have to ask and keep on rather than sit and wait

good luck xx

Thanks bubba, I have no intention of sitting and waiting. I know by others at PP that everything is a fight in our area, it is push, push, push or you get nothing. For example I have a friend who has a 4.2 boy with asdand severe moter skill delay, and a 2.6 girl who had to have a leg removed and the wheelchair service has said they will not give her a double major as they cost too much. Supid or what as they will give her 2 wheelchairs.
Ds2 does tick all the boxes as far as his key worker from early years is concerned, and I can understand not dxing too early, like you sad it is frustrating and we have no resources localy unless you have a dx.

in that case i would just keep on and on at them it would seem maybe its a funding thing so just keep making yourself heard good luck with it

i was very interested in what the 'Ados' test was and found this link to give a very general idea of the sort of test it is.

just looked at the link misscutandstick and intresting they there no module for a nonverbal child

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/573441-finally-after-all-this-time-ds-has-his-ados-test?fm=117226 82#11722682 might be interesting re: the ADOS. Module 1 is for those with limited speech. Most of it isn't testing speech, but social interaction and non-verbal communication, responsiveness etc.