CDAC appointment or not?

[sodit]

I have just had ds1's iep review he is 3.6.
A year ago I was 100% sure he had asd. Now I wibble most days if I had to dx him I would say specific language impairment with asd traits (the traits are lessening ). The special needs hv had been in touch with his salt and asked do I still want to go ahead with the assessment in light or recent reports- which state he is sociable, co-operative, has an much improved level of receptive language. he is caring about other peoples feeling and will tell me if something happens to his younger brother.
I have said yes I want him assessed but am unsure if i am doing the right thing - he wont be happy in the assessment situation - for him it will not mean any extra help in fact if he is dx with asd it may go againsy getting him into a language unit.
I am scared though if in future he needs that extra help if behaviours change i will be told well you didnt want him assessed.
Also if asd is ruled out does he just get discharged from the paed or will he still be reviewed?
I am still in 2 minds about whether to get him assessed or not and his dad says you know best I'll leave up to you

This is a difficult situation- my HF autistic DD was very similar at 3 (but I had no idea she was autistic then- so well done you for noticing some signs!!)....the advantage of having him assessed early is that he can hopefully get some help. But you would be within your rights to ask them to postpone it for a year or so and ask for an assessment then....good luck

At the moment I tthink going ahed is the right thing as at least he will see other so called profs and I can get other peoples opinions. But if I can make my mind up how are they supposed too . Duchess I think you are right in that what actual label he is given has be discussed but in all honesty because he is speech impaired it will be a case of wait and see which i am happy with as all his needs are being well met (at the moment)
Also i dont think his dad is copping out he just knows I will do what i decide is for the best and there is not much point trying to change my mind [grin} and off course he is right i do know best

When my DS1 had his assessment for ASD when he was 3.2 (ish) the community paed and the SN nursery nurse told me that it was unlikely we would get a dx as they don't like to give them at a young age when the child is not at the severe end and by then my son's difficulties were quite subtle (though definitely present). So I went into the multi-disciplinary assuming it would be more wait and see (which I was fine with) but they did actually give DS1 a DX of ASD.

That being said, he wasn't dx just on the strength of that day's assessments, it took into account all the previous SALT reports, my information, preschool information etc. But I would just be a little cautious of expecting a wait and see IYSWIM. Although for us the dx did bring help rather than in your situation where you could potentially lose the language unit place so I was fine with the dx (if a little shell-shocked).

Could you not see how he gets on in the language unit then go for an assessment if it doesn't work out there?

notfrom I think delaying the assessment is probably a good idea as he has changed so much in the last few months and to be honest I have re read the triad of impairments and he doesnt meet them, he doesnt need the extra help at present. He is very happy as he is and I do want to see how he goes as his communication improves. and to get a language unit place it is better to show any problems are caused by his language problems rather than asd.
Right mind made up -will do today let them know keep us on the list but may be in a year or so review it (he should have started school by them)