ASD assesment next week what will happen?

[chegirlWILLbeserene]

Hello.

When I took DS to CFCS (CAMHS) (because they wanted to see him before they contributed to his statement) we saw a new consultant.

As well as being outraged by the lack of support DS had been getting he was fairly adamant that DS showed lots of traits of ASD.

TBH not something I had ever really considered. I put a lot of those traits down to his LD and auditory processing disorder and general developmental delay.

So consultant ref'd DS for the new Neurological Pathway thingy and he is due for his assessement at the end of the week.

Have not a clue what to expect. I know the appt will be for around 2 hours. DS has had loads of developmental checks over the years and been tested for his APD but never really had a comprehensive assessment for anything else.

Can anyone tell me what they are going to do?

Thank you.

Hi Che

A lot depends on the PCt rules and the tests your specialist is trained to use but expect as minimum an in depth interview using a screening tool such as ADI-R or DISCO, and maybe soemthing such as the 3di which is a different form of test. There may ber psych and SLT involvement as well but that depends on the set up.

Mainly though expect a long chat with someone whilst they play a bit with your child and observe him.

Are you on TTR? I have put lots of info there in teh files section. If not can email if you contact me (peaches and cream at bt internet dot com)

Thanks Clarissimo.

What is TTR?

I will google some of the terms you have mentioned. I have heard of them before but didnt take much notice as never thought they applied to us.

Guess I could be wrong about that hey?

Thanks again for your reply.

Hi

My DS1 had the ADOS which is a play-based assessment, his was done by a specialist SALT and OT. I was in the room and the Paediatrician went through a host of questions with me and asked for my views too. It went on for a while, can't remember how long then we were sent off for 30 mins whilst they discussed it, came back and was given the dx. I do know a parent within the same county but a different PCT to me whose child also went through the ADOS but they were given the dx a week later on the phone(!) so it will vary.

Hope all goes well for you and your son.

notfrom yes ADOS is play, it's a good one too. you rpobably did one of the otehrs as well but they fill it in from the chat you ahve with him- part of the multi disciplinary thing.

che 2shoes has an off board group adn I tend to upload my Uni stuff t-o it, if you want me to ask her to send you an invite (and thats to anyone else as well- not cliquey) the email is peaches and cream 04 m@ bt internet dot com

@ not m@

Thanks Carissimo - will e-mail you too - DS was diagnosed on Thursday.

No prbs, its been abit quiet for a bit- nice to see more people come on to get it going.

Thanks for your replies.

I had a google around and looked up a few things.

I am very familiar with play based assesements and developmental assesment type things so I think I have a good idea what to expect.

I am not sure how DS will deal with it all though. He can be uber stroppy at appts. He is a bit fed up with them all.

He is 7 BTW.

7 is a [retty good age to assess someone with a comlex presentation tbh.

If you are unhappy about anything that happens enquire about whether they are a tertiary level assessment team: really you need that to assess soemone very complex. Mosta reas have them and if not you can be refered to one.

it may be that theya re of course but always best to know.

Well last year I had a little boy with mild learning difficulties in mainstream school.

Now I have a little boy with moderate to severe LD, Auditory Processing Disorder, ASD who is about to start special school after Easter.

How things change hey?

oh sweet, thats a shame, but his still the same lad, just that they can get him more suppport now. 7 seems to be a bad age for most kids tbh, hope your ok

Thanks lisa.

I know. I am fine. I really didnt think he would get a dx of ASD though. I guess my perception is skewed because I work with preschool children with ASD and they tend to be on the severe end of the spectrum.

DS wasnt like that at 2-3. His issues have become much more apparent as he gets older and the differences in his behaviour stand out more.

I asked where he is on the spectrum expecting to Dr to say high end but he is in the middle.

Its all complicated by his LD of course.

But he is still my lovely boy and thank goodness we have got him in to the new school.

There is a good cahnce the LD and auditory are consequences of teh ASD che and thats what you have been unknowingly seeing just aspects of all teh time. You see that soemtimes- a child has a dx of LD, sensory processing dysfunction, ADHD, verbal delays and non verbal communications issues, and you watch them flapping / obsesing and think FFS just tell them it's ASD will you- and lo two years later back they come with an ASD label, access to specialist support (if they're lucky) that can actually help and Mum finally ahs a book with the actual answers to what's going on in her hands.

Sometimes ASD is the Gestalt whole but the specialists only see thir own specific issues and nobody thinks to add it all up.

I am still not sure Clarissimo.

Please dont think I am in denial. I am very open re disability. I am not ashamed or anything like that.

He doesnt have a lot of the classic symptoms i.e. spinning, flapping etc. I know these are not definative and ASD is on a huge spectrum.

He DOES have limited

Facial expression
understanding of social cues (with animals too, doesnt know when to stop)

He IS
literal

He is affectionate but not in a cuddly way. If you ask him for a kiss he will always and has always leant his head forward for you to kiss.

His sensory issues are around clothing - likes everything buttoned up, tight belts, shoes pulled on so tight he breaks the velcro etc.

He would also find it impossible to understand why you would expect him to get dressed before he had his breakfast (because he is used to doing it the other way round) and the request would end in a tantrum.

He loves to draw but will only draw the same things and they are almost perfect copies (for his age and ability). Will only draw Dr who, Iron man, Superman etc. Everyso often he will add to his repitoire (sp).

Dr asked him to draw his family today and he totally ignored him!

I do realise he has traits and I suppose I just need time to get my head round this. Its a big leap to go from a having a child with LD to having an autistic child. Its a whole new world but he hasnt changed!

Sorry for ramble. Big day today and big one tommorow. Taking him for induction at his new school.

Probably giving birth in the next week too!

Got to laff aint you?

Thanks for your help.

Che asd is such a wide dx

One of mine is people averse, the other is like a teddy bear and always hugging and kissing, the only link is that neither is appropriate.

Have you done a CARs on him? It was only when I did one myself on DS3 that I could see how he fitted it.

And then there are always misdiagnoses. TBH, as he has LD anyway if it gets extra help I would be inclined to go with it- I know others are much less happy with labels.

Good luck with the baby. My baby is 2 on Wednesday and I can't beleive how the years have flown! Best thing about later motherhood- you know to treasure every single day.