Yesterday we received the formal diagnosis of ASD for my 5 year old son.
The paediatrician had called a multi-professional meeting at his school then asked my son's mum and me to come along an hour later to be told the findings.
When we were shown into the room, the head teacher and my son's learning support assistant were also there. I like them both and get on well with them, but I did think it was rather inappropriate for the paediatrician to tell us our son has ASD in front of two school members of staff.
The NICE guidelines say:
1.8.1 After the autism diagnostic assessment discuss the findings, including the profile, sensitively, in person and without delay with the parents or carers and, if appropriate, the child or young person. Explain the basis of conclusions even if the diagnosis of autism was not reached.
1.8.2 Use recognised good practice when sharing a diagnosis with parents, carers, children and young people.
First they went through each of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria explaining whether or not my son met each criterion and only on conclusion told us of the diagnosis.
Though I was expecting to be told my son was on the spectrum I do think it could have been handled more sensitively by being in private and telling us at the start what the diagnosis is followed by an explanation of why.
I understand that DSM-5 splits ASD into three levels. I asked which level my son was on (I suspect level 2) and was told they do not make the diagnoses on that basis. They explained that diagnosis a DSM-5 level was elective (at their discretion apparently) and about 90% of clinicians in the UK do not indicate a level in their diagnoses.
I would appreciate views, information and any references as to whether or not indicating a level is indeed discretionary in DSM-5 and whether it is really true such a high proportion of clinicians do not provide a level in their diagnosis.
Many thanks.
