• Replies 15 replies
  • Subscribers 71 subscribers
  • Views 4854 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

high functioning autism toddler how long did you wait?

NAS63015

I’m very desperate now.

I have been dealing with the challenging behaviour of my 33 month old now for over 12 months. I asked health visitor for help twice but was told to wait until he was 3yrs. 3 months after me raising concerns his behaviour becomes so very challenging that his nursery raises concerns too as he is harming staff as well as other children.

Health visitor finally comes to see his behaviour for herself and makes a referral. (Speech and language, hearing tests and educational doctor) I have waited 3 months now and heard nothing from the nhs.

Can I ask how long did you wait for a first appointment?

My son has recently started going to bed late and waking through the night (gone from 12 hours sleep to 6 hours sleep) which is making his behaviour all the more difficult.

i guess it’s maybe a postcode lottery?

Parents

  • It’s impossible to say how long before you get official diagnosis as it depends not only on the child but also on where you live. My advice would be to ask nursery’s family worker for a referral as well as your own that might speed things up. Also don’t wait for official diagnosis as it’s nothing more than bit of paper. You don’t usually get any support from doctors. All we got was after diagnosis was a leaflet and a book for a child. That’s is it. No further appointments, no support nothing. Not worth waiting for! Just focus on educating yourself about autism, how to help yourself and how to best support your child. There’s huge amounts of information and advice on line. There are family groups on Facebook if you use it. There might be support group in your area. Please feel free to join any of them before official diagnosis. You will be welcomed and supported. 

Reply

  • It’s impossible to say how long before you get official diagnosis as it depends not only on the child but also on where you live. My advice would be to ask nursery’s family worker for a referral as well as your own that might speed things up. Also don’t wait for official diagnosis as it’s nothing more than bit of paper. You don’t usually get any support from doctors. All we got was after diagnosis was a leaflet and a book for a child. That’s is it. No further appointments, no support nothing. Not worth waiting for! Just focus on educating yourself about autism, how to help yourself and how to best support your child. There’s huge amounts of information and advice on line. There are family groups on Facebook if you use it. There might be support group in your area. Please feel free to join any of them before official diagnosis. You will be welcomed and supported. 

Children
  • in reply to NAS23336

    Thank you for your reply, yes nursery has already been asked by health visitor to keep a diary of his behaviour. The referral has been accepted and I’m told he will have an appointment in 6 weeks after the summer holidays. (Not sure if that was speeded up because of me hassling them or if that was my allocated slot anyway) she tells be that he will get speech and language therapy regardless of diagnosis and possibly OT depending on diagnosis. I have found online forums very useful thank you for suggestions. There is a charity in my area who run parents classes and sensory sessions.