Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi I'm kinda new to this so bare with me,I have 2 sons aged 9 and 12 both display a large number of signs relating to autism from what I can make out my 12 yr old seems to have asbergers syndrome and although it has taken me nearly a year and I half I finally got a referral for him to be checked which is a huge relief. My 9 yr old however isnt so lucky his school has said they referred him but I didnt receive any information about an appoint and are now refusing to refer him "again". I've tried talking to my GP but they keep telling me the same thing "his school needs to do it" the more I read up the more symptoms I see in my younger son and the fact I cannot get him help is starting to really worry me, he shows signs of autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADD and he has a tic (didnt know it was a tic until recently I just assumed it was a habit he picked up) where he is constantly trying to clear his throat. He struggles immensly with certain situations but all I get from his school is that he is doing it for attention. Anyway to get to the point is there a way to get him referred to be checked without the school or a way to force his GP to refer him? starting to get desperate he needs help but no one is prepared to make the first step.(as a note both boys have been on SEN since they started school and both had speech and language therapy)
Hi Hearts,
I can see you have already asked GP and school for help but I'm putting the links below for all the National Autistic Society guidance relating to getting a diagnosis, which you may find helpful. Have a look and let us know if you have any further questions and a moderator or community member may be able to help you.
There are two routes to gaining a diagnostic assessment. You can either go through the NHS where you will need a referral from your GP to see a diagnostician (e.g. a paediatrician, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist with experience of the condition) or pay to go privately where you may not always need a referral. The cost of a private diagnosis can vary. We have heard cases of some local authorities not recognising a private diagnosis and for this reason some people opt to also stay within the NHS system.
Please see the following link below for further information on getting a diagnosis:
http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/all-about-diagnosis.aspx
If you choose to go through the NHS, you will need to talk to the GP about some of the characteristics and behaviours that make you suspect your child has the condition. It is very important that your child is referred to a diagnostician with experience in the field of autism spectrum disorders. Details of diagnostic services can be found on our directory www.autism.org.uk/directory If you require help with your search, please provide me with your postcode and I can carry this out for you.
It may help to pass on information specifically for health professionals when seeking a diagnosis:
http://www.autism.org.uk/Working-with/Health.aspx
The main things parents should be expecting/asking for during assessment are those outlined in the National Autism Plan for Children. Please scroll down to page 3 on summary report, page 11 for full report for the Essential Components for a complete multi agency assessment:
http://www.autism.org.uk/about/diagnosis/children/national-plan-children.aspx
You may also find it useful to familiarise yourself with the NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidelines that focus on improving recognition, referral and diagnosis of children and young people with autism in England and Wales, and will bring about a far more consistent approach to referral and diagnosis, and mean more children get quicker access to necessary support services. These best practice guidelines are useful to show you what you should be expecting from an NHS diagnostic service: http://www.nice.org.uk/cg128
I hope this provides some help.
Kind regards,
Heather - Mod