Published on 12, July, 2020
Just wanted to say hi to everyone, was sent the link for this site from my sons neurodevelopmental specialist. I guess what I would like to know is if a paediatrician and child psychologist say there is evidence to support the case for my son having Autism and he has now been assigned a neurodevelopmental specialist who is also in agreement that he will likely receive a diagnosis of Autism, is there any chance that when he has the CDAT that they may not be in agreement with the three other professionals? The reason I ask is we have been saying since he was around 2years old that we suspected he has Autism, speech and language dismissed our concerns and put it down to him being a select mute child. That didn't explain his sensory issues, which he has many of. He has an IEP in school that was set up while he was in nursery. He has had SALT input since he was around 6months old to present. If three professionals other than SALT say there is evidence from assessments to support the case for Autism will he get the diagnosis as I was under the impression that SALT were the ones that should pick up on this. His last block of therapy was with a different therapist who had completed assessment for CDAT as she had noticed traits of Autism in my son and as yet we are still waiting on CDAT.
Any information would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
The diagnostic team making the assessment, often a paediatrician, SALT and psychologist, will make the decision about whether your son meets the criteria based on the reports they receive, the diagnostic interviews and the observations of the tests. If the reports from the SALT service are inconsistent with the other CDAT conclusion then it won't impact on their ability to diagnose. At that point the SALT service will have to accept the outcome of the assessment.
The only opinion that counts is the CDAT although they will take on board the comments made by other professionals in the reports they review.
Hi, thank you for taking the time to reply. yes it is very confusing, been a long time in getting where we are for my son. and I would be so annoyed if they turn round and say no he doesn't have Autism when all evidence seems to support the case.
CDAT where I am is communication disorder assessment team
SALT is Speech and language therapy
It must be very confusing to see the clash of professionals ---- I think in balance from what you have just said is Yes he will get an autism diagnosis.
I'm assuming below
CDAT = Complex Depression, Anxiety and Trauma Service
SALT = Adult speech and language therapy