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Diagnosis battle

nathsmum

Hello everyone,  I am new here. I guess, like others I have found my way here as a parent at the end of my tether. 

I have known for years that my son is on the spectrum, but I was brushed off by a health visitor when he was 2 and as I haven't been able to cope with his difficulties well, I didn't worry too much about it until now. He is now 7 and it would seem he leans towards aspergers.  

I have the full support of my son's school and the autism team, who are informally involved at the moment. Despite my GP having a letter from my son's head teacher and SenCo, he is still being awkward about referring him for an assessment. 

I guess what I am asking for is advice on how to deal with him, or even some explanation as to why he is being so awkward about it.  Is it a funding thing?

Please help

Parents

  • Hello,

    I had a similar experience with a GP when my son was 7 and his school expressed concern - my GP at that time wouldn't refer my son to psychology because he was against 'labelling' children that young with a diagnosis. I went to another GP and got referred to a paediatric consultant (who was NOT a specialist in ASD or child psychology) - who suggested that my son had 'developmental delay' and would grow out of it.......well, he didn't and the difficulties became more pronounced as he got older, also the stress and anxiety of coping at school without support.

    It wasn't until my son was 12 that we were able to get a referral for ASD assessment, due to moving to a different area and having a more open-minded GP. He was diagnosed as Asperger's.

    So, if your GP is not helpful, and not listening to your reasons for asking, which as you say are backed up by a letter from the Head Teacher - have you considered speaking to a different GP? Some practices have several different doctors and you may not be obliged to make appointments with the same one every time.

    Your concerns are real, and you have the right to ask for a referral - whatever the outcome, you & your child can have access to help and support when it is really needed, ie. early in life.

    Best wishes,

    T 

Reply

  • Hello,

    I had a similar experience with a GP when my son was 7 and his school expressed concern - my GP at that time wouldn't refer my son to psychology because he was against 'labelling' children that young with a diagnosis. I went to another GP and got referred to a paediatric consultant (who was NOT a specialist in ASD or child psychology) - who suggested that my son had 'developmental delay' and would grow out of it.......well, he didn't and the difficulties became more pronounced as he got older, also the stress and anxiety of coping at school without support.

    It wasn't until my son was 12 that we were able to get a referral for ASD assessment, due to moving to a different area and having a more open-minded GP. He was diagnosed as Asperger's.

    So, if your GP is not helpful, and not listening to your reasons for asking, which as you say are backed up by a letter from the Head Teacher - have you considered speaking to a different GP? Some practices have several different doctors and you may not be obliged to make appointments with the same one every time.

    Your concerns are real, and you have the right to ask for a referral - whatever the outcome, you & your child can have access to help and support when it is really needed, ie. early in life.

    Best wishes,

    T 

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