Assessment outcome - Would/did you take your child?

Morning all. After some advice please? My son's 13 and, if he is autistic then he is pretty 'high functioning' (though I do struggle with that term).

He's been through assessment via Clinical Partners (NHS are using them to cut down waiting list) and we've been offered a feedback appointment next Monday evening. When I asked if our son should come along too they said it was up to us! I've not done this before and I now don't know whether it's best to go without him.

He's not met the psychiatrist who will be delivering the verdict: we saw her and he saw a psychologist (who started the assessment with "Do you know anyone autistic? do you think you're like them"? And then I had to leave.). It feels like it's his life so he ought to be there, but at the same time discussion can be more frank if he's not.

I'm interested to know what others with older children have done in this situation?

Thanks

Parents
  • Hi, I understand that this is a really difficult decision to make, I personally would take him. I fully intend to include my daughter when her assessment is complete. She is 8 and we don't use the term asd to her at present we just discuss her quirkiness. But when she is diagnosed I don't want her kept in the dark 

    Your son is older and may have questions of his own to ask, offer him the choice explain you are going to be discussing the outcome of the session he had and see if he wants to come or to discuss it with you later 

    I'm sorry I can't be more help I haven't got to that stage yet

    I wish you luck with whatever decision you make

Reply
  • Hi, I understand that this is a really difficult decision to make, I personally would take him. I fully intend to include my daughter when her assessment is complete. She is 8 and we don't use the term asd to her at present we just discuss her quirkiness. But when she is diagnosed I don't want her kept in the dark 

    Your son is older and may have questions of his own to ask, offer him the choice explain you are going to be discussing the outcome of the session he had and see if he wants to come or to discuss it with you later 

    I'm sorry I can't be more help I haven't got to that stage yet

    I wish you luck with whatever decision you make

Children
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