My 3yoDS, Possible ASD + CASBAT Observation Groups

[Helen2boys]

Hello! New to Mumsnet.... scouting everywhere for help and support. DS (3y7months) saw the community paediatrician last week following our concerns about the ASD traits he has been displaying (still getting my head round it all) and having had a course of SALT, he has now been referred to the CASBAT (Communication and Social Behaviour Assessment Team) to their Observation group, which is basically like a nursery within a children's centre that they use for assessing children. Does anyone have any experience of this and what to expect??
Also, I think we (DH and I) are handling this all well and have already developed strategies to support him, but I would so welcome any more tips. xx
AND - what has upset me the most and I wanted to know is this a common theme - he seemed to be developing absolutely fine and his speech and language coming along as expected until about a year ago (coinciding with the birth of DS2.....) when his development seemed to just halt and in some areas he seemed to go backwards even. ARGH!!? Anyone else experienced this?

They are getting him in to the next "cohort" ~ he starts going once a week from June! To get to know them and vice versa. It's all vry overwhelming...

hmmmm.... well she said a formal dx of ASD may not come for a few years, but at this stage I think it is idenifying areas in which he needs support. The paediatrician said he doesn't need statementing to get support in Reception (next Sept, not this) but I'm not convinced. I know he is still developing and these issues could not be the same in a year's time ... or is that wishful thinking? How likely is it he'd get support in reception just like that because he may need it? I'm just so confused...

Helen

I think you are right not to be convinced by the words of the paed re DS not needing a Statement to get support in reception. Infact it is often the only way you will get anything of real long term value (everything else is not legally binding and the funding for it is poor).

Put in your request for the Statement asap from your LEA. It is possible to obtain a Statement before reception starts and I would urge you to do this.

Have a word with organisations like ACE, IPSEA and SOS;SEN to name but three. They could also help in this area.