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Toddler 2.9 years diagnosed - what to do next?

Shj90

Hi all,

I had a private Autism Assessment for my son a couple of months ago he's now 2 yrs 9 months. 

I started him in Speech Therapy at 18 months It was from beginning this that I decided to get the private assessment. My son has also been seeing an occupational therapist for a couple of months and I've recently just started him at a nursery last week.

I'd really like to ask for any knowledge or advice on what I should be doing in terms of support.

I've sent nursery his assessment which I believe they will then apply to the council for the additional funding and observation of needs - is this the ECHP?

Do I need to inform the doctor's and what else should I be applying for for future support.

I just feel a little overwhelmed of what processes I should be starting from ECHP's to DLA to Early Years SEND. Any advice on where to start would be welcomed.

And any advice on what steps a nursery should be providing in terms of a care plan.

  • Hi and welcome to the community.

    I certainly suggest advising your GP, along with following the advice here:

    NAS - Extra help at school (which includes nurseries)

    NAS - Formal support following an autism diagnosis

    NAS - Benefits for autistic children

  • I've heard, and read, plenty of people reporting that there's much confusion with some parts of the NHS not readily accepting private NHS assessments.  I'd be taking the result of that assessment to my GP ASAP if I were you, to ensure it is placed on record, and accepted going forward. 

    I may be wrong about this, but it seems you have a (regular) nursery that you assume would then apply for extra funding because you have this diagnosis.  I am not sure it works that way about, essentially because not all nurseries cater for complex needs.   They may not wish to go that route, and it may be advisable that you meet with them to discuss what provisions they are willing to put in place in view of any funding they are likely to access (not a given) going forward.   They may not wish to move into special needs provision.  You've not stipulated whether this nursery already provides such care for others - if they do, then all well and good, and easier for you. 

    You may find the nursery comes back to you with a full care plan - they may come back and say they are unable to meet your needs.  Regardless, I'd wish to speak to them as soon as I could.

    Clearly, in order to apply for DLA, you'll need evidence to support this status, and having the GP on board would be advantageous anyway, together with any other child services you've used, such as the occupational therapist mentioned. 

    I am sorry I could not be more helpful with specifics.  It will take time to get things in place, and I appreciate it is frustrating that things seem to move so slowly at the start.