First appointment at Social Communication clinic.... what happens?

[JollyPirate]

That's about it really. DS has his first appointment tomorrow morning and am just wiondering what will happen/what to expect etc. Filled in a very detailed questionnaire back in January. TIA

TBH it could vary between targetted skills practise and nothing very much at all. It entirely depends on the staff and resources.

Depending on the age group it will probably be some independent play, some group interaction work i.e. taking turns to listen to each other, or pass something on, some small group work (similar idea, perhaps rolling a ball back and forth).

Are parents attending/involved?

It depends on a lot. Will parents attend? How old is your child? What are they suspect is wrong?
My daughter was 4.6 when we had our first appointment. She had delayed social skills, delayed communication skills, etc. We were refered by a speech and language therapist who seen her once in her nursery.
On our first appointment they asked a lot of questions, my daughter had to do some test ( nothing major) to check her speech and understanding and behaviour. On the second appointment the child psychologist were observing her and talked to me and asked questions too. Later they diagnosed her with complex social communication disorder. She has disordered social skills, disordered communication and understanding. They also took down, she has sensitivity to noise, textures (some food), behaviour, etc.

Thank you - it's for my DS aged 7. Both myself and exH will attend. I think they are suspecting high functioning autism/Aspergers or ADHD.

Jollypirate-please update to let us know how it went. We have to attend our first appointment next week so I am interested to see what goes on. Haven't been given any detailed questionnaire to fill in though

Hello folks - just back from the clinic and the disgnosis is ASD with ADHD . Still a bit shell shocked tbh so will report back more later. The clinic was excellent though and almost a one stop shop for assessment and diagnosis based upon all previous reports. The staff were lovely though and SNAP were there as well. They are going to ring me and arrange for a visit to their centre next week to discuss the support they can offer. Have been advised to apply for DLA.

Thanks for update. It must be a shock to get diagnosis so quickly. We have our meeting next week next week and hopefully the staff will be as nice. What county are you in by the way?

Hello Pouffe - we are in Essex. They were lovely. shock has worn off a bit now but am exhausted. The support on offer looks good though so am relieved about that.

Jollypirate - we're in Essex too! it wasn't the Springfield clinic was it?

No Pouffe I am in Basildon and it was at the Brentwood Community Hospital. I really wasn't expecting to get a diagnosis so quickly (although we have been in the system for about 18 months).

Apparently from what I have heard, Essex is known for good support which is a relief. I used to live and work in Somerset and alhough the support for children is good there the support for parents was less good (although that may have changed now).

Thanks JP. Used to live around the corner from Brentwood Community Hospital and hope Chelmsford are just as good!