Newly diagnosed 8yo. When should we tell him? Would it help him if I was also assessed?

Hello, our son who has just turned 8 was recently diagnosed with ASD. I have a couple of questions, would love opinions on any of them if you're happy to share.

  1. What age should we be thinking about telling him? I don't think he'd understand what it means at the moment - and we also wouldn't want him broadcasting it at school.
  2. My wife and I have discussed the possibility that I could also be autistic. Is there any benefit to my son in me getting assessed? 
  3. We gave up on the CAMHS route and he was diagnosed by a paediatric consultant. We were given minimal signposting and no follow up. Are there any resources we should be investigating to help us as parents of a newly diagnosed child?

As above I'd be very grateful for thoughts on any of these questions - many thanks in advance.

Parents
  • if hes been diagnosed shouldnt he already know?
    the steps and procedure for diagnosis means he already knows and was there, being taken to those places, questioned, and already informed.

  • Thanks for your reply .

    Maybe it would have been different if we'd gone down the CAMHS route but all of the meetings and sessions we had were very discreet... and as a trusting then 7 year old, I don't think he really even questioned what he was being asked to do or why.

    We were definitely advised that when and what he was told was up to us.

Reply
  • Thanks for your reply .

    Maybe it would have been different if we'd gone down the CAMHS route but all of the meetings and sessions we had were very discreet... and as a trusting then 7 year old, I don't think he really even questioned what he was being asked to do or why.

    We were definitely advised that when and what he was told was up to us.

Children
No Data