Is it possible to get a diagnosis even if school don't agree?

Hi I have an appointment with paediatric, for my 10 year old daughter in a few weeks. My issue is school can't see there is a problem ,however I have a child with alot of Sensory issues, who has total meltdowns over the smallest of things. School have told me there no point in getting a diagnosis as she doesn't need support. My daughter fathers partner, is trained in autism, and she could see alot of signs of autism in my daughter without me or her father even mentioning it. I also have a son with Asperger's and a daughter with Dyspraxia, so I do know what I'm dealing with. I'm just feeling like I'm going to have to fight to get paediatric to take me serious. 

  • Exactly my daughter needs an understanding of her needs, thank you x

  • Thank you i can't agree more as I am an adult who lives without a diagnosis. I highly suspect I have autism, which is one of the reasons I don't want my daughter to through her life without support x

  • Thank you for the advice this is  most helpful x

  • It not unheard of that someone with Autism acts completely different way when there are at school then way they do at home.
    In fact when went to school I happy being there. The issues happened when it was the school holidays and my routine has been broken.

    I was not diagnosed as child but as an adult. My parents where told that was lazy when I was at school.

    As for dont need diagnosis just because they don't need support. WTF, so you know you're intelligent as such there is no need for you to take exams.

    Diagnosis is not just about getting support it also help with understanding things. And why you do thing the way that you do.

  • Good luck with this. You’re doing the right thing in my  view. I’m a late diagnosed woman with ASD.. school would I’m sure have said I didn’t need support-i did. I could handle the lessons and schoolwork but I couldn’t handle the social side of things and the constant bullying once I was at secondary. I think it can’t be anything but helpful for your daughter to be diagnosed if she has ASD. I hope it all works out for you both. Good luck again.

  • Hi, 

    Yes you can get a diagnosis without the school. Just because she doesn't need support in school now does not mean she won't so for school to state this is ludicrous. 

    Check the pages on this site they contain all the information you need about what the school must do and what the process for diagnosis is. I would suggest that download a copy of nasen flying under the radar, it is a booklet aimed at schools highlighting the difference between asd in boys and girls, it is very common for girls to show little to no signs in school and meltdown at home, it is caused by the effort of masking the signs during the day. 

    Trust your instincts when you see peadiatrics if you believe it is asd then push for diagnosis explain she masks and the stress it is causing her. Really point out her sensory problems, it may help if you complete some of the childhood autism tests online and take her scores with you.

    Good luck x