First structured observation on Friday

Hello

After a long time coming, we finally have an ASD assessment for my 8 year old son at St George's hospital in Tooting, London on Friday.   He has a structured observation and play based assessment on Friday with a clinical psychologist, then my husband and I have been invited in for a separate interview the following week.  We have also been asked to provide reports from school, his play therapist and we have filled out a few questionaires. 

Does anyone have any advice on how I can prepare my son for Friday?  We have talked about there being lots of people who want to help him feel happier, and that we all love him very much and there's nothing to be scared about - but as I don't know exactly what's going to happen, I am not sure what to tell him.  Any ideas please? I know that he is feeling scared and worried and different.  All the work and reassurance we put in telling him that everyone's different etc, and then these assessments are obviously trying to find a difference!  He has worked this one out...

I also would appreciate any advice on what to expect as parents and what I should be looking out for.  SHould I take a copy of the NICE guidelines with me for instance, or are there any pitfalls to avoid or be aware of?  Thanks for all your help.

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    The best preparation is to help him relax. They may find it easier to identify his communication problems etc if he is as calm. An angry and distressed child will just look angry and distressed and the autism will be harder to identify behind the cloud of emotion.

    Please don't be offended by my next question. Your post made me wonder whether you have considered the possibility of him having inherited some autistic traits from yourselves? I'm comfortable that I have inherited my autism from my father (and two generations before him!).

Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    The best preparation is to help him relax. They may find it easier to identify his communication problems etc if he is as calm. An angry and distressed child will just look angry and distressed and the autism will be harder to identify behind the cloud of emotion.

    Please don't be offended by my next question. Your post made me wonder whether you have considered the possibility of him having inherited some autistic traits from yourselves? I'm comfortable that I have inherited my autism from my father (and two generations before him!).

Children
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