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Benefit of Autism diagnosis

NAS69965

My child is on the waiting list for an autism assessment. My child is in primary ks1 ( mainstream).

My child is getting help from professionals and there is no other help needed.

If he gets a diagnosis, other than letting people know he has autism such as schools and classes outside of school he may attend etc, what benefit does a diagnosis of autism have for the child if he's already receiving all the help he can from professionals 

  • in reply to Jay123

    That's fantastic to hear, and I'm glad to hear she is happy. Can I ask what help can schools provide 

  • Hi,

    im glad that your son is getting help and support now but unfortunately this isnt always the case, especially as children move through school years. My niece is 12 and was diagnosed last year, before that school were pretty useless at supporting her. She became school refusing and had so much anxiety.

    A diagnosis meant that my sister and niece were taken seriously and she is now in a much better situation. Without this she wouldn't be getting the support in secondary education that she is entitled to. I think its so important for the future.

    I am looking into a diagnosis for myself at 29 and wish i could have had one as a child.

    My niece has also been able to understand herself a lot more since she got her diagnosis.

  • As autism is officially classed as a disability, though there is some debate about whether the autistic person is disabled or whether society disables autistic people, schools, universities and employers are legally obliged to make 'reasonable accommodations', so that an autistic person is not disadvantaged by their autism when compared to their allistic peers.

    By gaining a diagnosis you will be 'future-proofing' your child against having their difficulties ignored.

    There is also the personal aspect, if your child has difficulties that other children do not have, then self-questioning will happen. Wondering why you are different, and thinking that it is some individual defect, is much more damaging than knowing that you are part of a group of people with similar difficulties, and that there are people out there who share both your beneficial and debilitating traits.

  • Because it's future insurance. Your child is receiving help now, but should he encounter difficulties or challenges in the future and he doesn't have the diagnosis he may struggle to access suitable help. Also for future work accommodations, schools have a policy to help the child not the paperwork, but that may not be the case for future employers. The paperwork is important because it is hard evidence that he is entitled to what he is entitled to.

    It may not be necessary now, but you do not want to be left in a position where you need the diagnosis, didn't already get it, and now have to wait over two years to get the diagnosis while mental health services refuse to see you because you don't have a diagnosis so can't get the specialist help, but you're probably autistic so they won't see you in the normal services either. Get the assessment done while you can. 

    The other side of it, is self realisation. It can be very affirming to have that diagnosis when your son in the future is getting frustrated about the stuff that everyone else is finding incredibly easy but he is finding really hard. 

    So yeah, self affirmation/confidence and bureaucracy.