help please, seeing paed first thing wed morning

[jasdox]

Hi ladies,

I am not sure what to do in this meeting with the paed, not even sure if he will assess ds again or if it is a chat about his progress. So far have a verbal dx but not a written one.

Ds is 4 tomorrow (had driving party yesterday and it was great fun). But in the system nearing 2 years. He is a guess 'mild' ASD, HFA/asperger, not sure which. started talking just over a year ago, but doing really well as he is in every aspect. Having good support in nursery and helping him socially and communication. Has a few quirks, but is funny and v. loving and spiderman/cars/tv mad .

However, if you know autism you know he is autistic (not a person with autism), but am at a loss as to how to secure a dx from the paed. As he said last meeting, his needs are being meet therefore why give him a dx? He does not have any challenging behaviour (but may always change) or any particular demands, but does this mean he should not be labelled? Or does my child have to be taken to such levels before they consider him worth dxing? but its a life long condition it's not going to disappear, might change though. currently i can only think of support for the future having access to groups like outreach.

Any advice most welcome .

hmmm, might you need to apply for a statement or otherwise assist school in "buying in" support?

I had exactly the same conversation with my paed. only playing the opposite roles .

If you feel a dx is the best way, can you not politely insist on a formal assessment, and, if the paed. resists, write a letter confirming s/he has given you the verbal diagnosis and asking for a reply?

I think the paeds should probably follow the families' leads here. If it will create greater confidence and optimism in the child's carers, surely that is a particularly good reason to offer a dx?

We are a bit in same boat here.
DS is just 4, we've also had a verbal dx of 'mild asd', several letters mentioning 'autistic features' but nothing concrete in terms of formal dx.
And at the last review we've had paed said DS 's needs were been addressed with a place in a SEN language group twice a week, and senco and EP are working out'strategies' to help at nursery.
However she suggested putting him forward for asd formal assessment. We aggreed.
Now we have an appointmnet tommorrow morning with consultant paed and DS's comminity paed to 'review' again the situation as consultant paed is the ONE who ultimately will decide if DS needs a referal for asd assessments or not.
(in my books he does!)
I have prepared a list to 'convince' consultant paed that not all of DS' needs are actually been addressed atm, (have you done one too?), and that a dx is the way to go, as i don't want to leave it and battle for a dx a few years down the line when things start to turn sour at school iyswim?

Good luck with your app.

my thoughts are exactly the same, especially as we all know. I think he will keep reviewing until there is a prob which scares me.

Last time i wrote a list as to why he met the criteria. I think a list of my increasing concerns would be a good idea - like his marked sensory seeking - licking is not just me now, but walls, handles etc - he says he just loves it, need for physical contact, hitting out, routines are on the increase etc. i guess i have to be tough with myself to be truthful about his quirks. i'll keep a notepad so when I think of them, as there are a few. on top of his rectal prolapse which i think can be related to ASD.

mysonben -Good luck too with your app tommorrow, let us know how you get on, looks like you are prepared. Also how was the bibic (is that right) report.

And yes linglette, if he does it again I will ask in writing for a reply.

it's sad it has to be a battle .

if that sensory seeking behaviour is increasing, then I totally see where you are coming from.