Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all! My son very likely has autism. He is 16 and has severe mental health difficulties which includes suicide ideation and attempted suicide. Because of this and the limited support we have received, we decided to get him diagnosed privately rather than wait the 9 years on the waiting list so we can get support put in place as soon as possible. He still is on the NHS waiting list though currently.
He has had a very comprehensive report (ados assessment and observation etc) done by a private psychologist who specialises in autism. This includes observations from me and his teachers, pastoral support, senco etc. In summary, the report said that the ados assessment exceeded the threshold for an autism diagnosis and that it is her clinical opinion that his difficulties are explained by a diagnosis of autism. It included much more obviously but this was the breakdown really.
My question is what now? The school and GP surgery have a copy of the report. Do I now need to take it somewhere else to get an actual diagnosis or will this do? I want support put in place especially as he is revising for his GCSE's and just unsure of next steps.
I appreciate any advice you can offer, thank you.
NAS93002 said:y question is what now? The school and GP surgery have a copy of the report.
I would speak to the school and ask for a meeting with the SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) and make sure you are read up on the SEND code of practice that they are supposed to follow.
There is an article covering this here:
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/extra-help-at-school/england
I would imagine this is more than enough to make them accept that support is needed.
As for a formal assessment, I would ask your GP to use the "right to choose" which will give you access to a private assessment and be much faster than the NHS.
What is it that you actually want from this though? If it is support at school then the SENCO is the one to help, but if it is something else it would be good to give details so we can give clearer advice.
Thank you for your reply. I will talk to the school next week after Easter holidays and see if we can get support in place as soon as possible. He already has had the formal assessment privately, I guess I am wondering if this is enough to have the diagnosis accepted by everyone. It is mainly my son who wants/needs the diagnosis. He is very 'stuck' on having a diagnosis of autism and I want to either reassure him that because of this report, he is autistic or take the report somewhere to be told he is autistic. I know it is just a label to some but to him he really needs it, because he feels something is wrong and wants to be able to explain it.
Thank you again for your reply.