Should I say something to the teacher?

[debs40]

DS (7) is undergoing ASD assessment at the moment. He also has Developmental Coordination Disorder. It is pointing towards Aspergers. The head of the diagnostic team (a psychologist) went into school last week. She had seen him individually once before and said she thought the ASD signs were very clear. This time she observed DS in school and spoke to one of his teachers.

School have been very slow to pick up on these issues. He looks like other children so why would he need special help? He doesn?t cause a problem, isn?t obstructive or aggressive. He must just be lazy and overdependent if he needs help. Intervention by the occupational therapist, community paediatrician and joint attendance on a specialist course with us and the class TA have helped.

My concern is that when the psychologist went in speak to the teacher, she was told DS doesn?t have problems asking for help (he has an IEP aimed at helping with this), always gets changed for PE first (he can have problems dressing and this has previously been noted) and sometimes chooses to play with girls (much has been made of late of his antipathy to girls ? for some reason he cannot cope with them and has lashed out). This didn?t sound true.

Anyway, DS says he can never remember choosing to play with girls and looked horrified at the idea. He says he has only ever been first for PE once. As for the communicating, well that has got better after months of battling with the school for help with it. But he has had IEPs addressing this for the last 6-8 months and is confirmed as having social communication difficulties by a SALT. The issues with PE and girls are documented in his home/school book.

What was the teacher playing at? I know school don't like outside professionals interferring but it felt like we were making things up. I am also worried that this undermines the diagnostic process as it contradicts what we have struggled to establish at school and why.

Should I say something?

Thanks Claw. That is helpful. I will make sure ASD outreach team and Ed Psych have these when they come in. SENCO has said he will send everything but I don't want another 'everything is super' experience.

Star...this is the child clinical psychologist from the ASD team and she's not an Ed Psych. I think this is part of the problem. She doesn't usually do these school visits as there is a clear demarcation between her team and ed psych but we complained because the waiting list is so long and we were struggling with school so she agreed to meet us and then observe DS.

But I think part of the problem is that she doesn't want to get involved and the school don't want her involved. So suits everyone.

Not too much of a problem in terms of getting help as we have ed psych and ASD outreach still to visit but I am concerned as her visit will feed into dx process and she clearly took a particular and unquestioning view of what was being said.

Of course, she hadn't read or asked about the reports despite the fact that they all go to her as head of the diagnostic team.

Fab system isn't it?

Debs, its so frustrating. After my experience of CAMHS i would be feeling very dubious at them dxing ds, i dont think they have much ASD experience to be honest, especially if the signs are not obvious in your face.

After first appointment with psychologist and psychiatrist, they were telling me they saw no signs of a social and communication disorder, despite having a report from an ASD expert highlighting lots and lots of social and communication difficulties (which they hadnt read). They were even asking me why i felt ds was on the spectrum and trying to persuade me that ds's social/communication difficulties were down to him being 'gifted'! I wasnt even there for a dx.(as if i had doubted enough myself for the last 6 years, very helpful!)

I emailed her stating that if they were in doubt about the dx, then perhaps they should a) read the reports before next appointment and b) if still in doubt i would ask for a 2nd opinion. They didnt reply!

Not quite sure how it works from area to area, do you not have an ASD specialist team in your area?

Starlight, I have had a good teacher (you have nagged me enough about WRITING EVERYTHING DOWN!)

I am still a young Jedi, but i am learning fast, Master Star

DS would like that Star Wars analogy!

I agree, you do end up having to write it all down, every last little thing, because you learn that no one reads anything and at the end of the day little things can become very important if disputed.

Claw this is the specialist ASD team!!! This is why we need to go elsewhere. When you get comments like 'I was surprised that he didn't lash out when accidentally jostled and gave his teacher eye contact' you think.....OMG does your knowledge of ASD come from wiki?

LOL oh yes, i remember now both of our ds's springing to life and chatting my ears off at bibic when i mentioned Star Wars!

Sorry, should have been more specific, social and communication specialist (usually senior SALT)is involved?

ASD Outreach told me the school had given them all the info. I send copies of reports and covering letter anyhow. Turns out all the 'info' school had provided were my letters to school! in a bid to make it sound like it was just my opinion i wonder!

Come on Star, credit where it is due, you have given me some excellent advice. Stop with the Jedi mind tricks