Hello everyone - some may remember me from last year when I was having a hard time with getting a firm diagnosis and basically people to listen about my then 15 yr old daughter Amy.
Amy is now 16 and has just started college doing animal care. She is very happy doing finally something where her passion lies - in animals. She struggled all the way through mainstream school - having to try sooo hard for her average grades. She was a "model pupil" according to teachers - basically in my opinion because she tried so hard, got on with her work, was frightened to ask for any help and so didn't give them any bother! She would wait til she got home to ask. Having had a lot of it out with teachers over the yrs we did finally start getting somewhere in getting Amy assessed, however it came about because she started getting so ill with pressure of exams etc.
Amy started to get severe anxiety attacks so we are told, but Amy describes them as "not being there" "not part of what's going on" etc and these would send her into a panic Especially as it was a crucial part of trying to achieve her GCSE grades.
We where referred for scans, which proved normal, then she was assessed by Speech and Language as the child consultant "picked up herself" that Amy was struggling to communicate or give relevant specific answers.
The final assessment shows that Amy has a significant "Social and Communication Disorder" scoring low on some of the tests.
A follow up appointment with consultant said (after going through her history and reports etc) that although Amy does or had in the past some very obvious autistic traits that he really didn't want to put a firm diagnosis on autism. He said it would be so mild that really "would you want it diagnosing" ..... He basically said there are two issues, the Social and Communication Skills which could be helped with (where and how???) but also he wants her referring to a mental health team for her anxiety "not being there" panic episodes, and also to a child and family unit.
I don't know what to think, whether to be pleased they aren't diagnosing her or wishing they had to get some answers - as I don't know how far being diagnosed with a Social Skills Disorder will help as should anyone be aware this exists purely on its own with a firm diagnosis like this!
What I want is what's best for Amy, to help her along in life and she really does struggle at times socially, and understanding sometimes basic information and instructions.
I also want the anxiety attacks??! Derealisation disassociation / zoning out / not being there episodes to be diagnosed properly as to what they are and if they are all part if ghe same condition.
i requested to the hospital to write to them explaining where we are at but consultant sent a very basic three lined letter saying Amy has trouble understanbasic instructions and could they make sure she understood.
what do others think ? Am I expecting too much? Am I wanting a diagnosis on something that isn't there?
Her autistic traits in the past were cleanliness, hand washing, terrible fear of noise, tantrums, lack of social abilities, hated change in surroundings and routine. Her traits aren't as apparent now, acute sense to smells and noise at times, would rather have routine, social skills prob, lack of basic understanding (jokes pass her by a lot as she doesn't understand)
So sorry for long post - please reply folks I would really appreciate it.
also what can I expect to happen at child and family unit? All sounds a bit intimidating even to me.
Thank you everyone for reading this xx
