Hi all
I've got 2 kids, 1 boy in his mid teens and one who's just started high school. With both kids we've expressed concerns from early on about certain issues but have been dismissed by school. Both were told that they were just more grown up in their interactions than the others kids and that they'd be fine when they got to high school. We're lucky that they're both bright and manage academically (though my eldest struggled with his GCSEs last year and didn't achieve what he was predicted) but the other side of things, particularly for my youngest is tough.
Having been dismissed as neurotic mum for years I was shocked to get a call from high school last week asking me if I had seen the documentary about Chris Packham (I had, luckily so knew what the teacher was getting at). They've recommended that we take my son to the GP to ask about having him screened for ASD. He's not your 'typical' ASD child, but then I appreciate that no child is. He's quirky and he struggles with people, anxiety, anger and various other things. Primary school gave him some group support and put things in place that helped him to manage, but they've passed none of that information on to the high school.
So, my first question is: is GP the correct route to take in getting him screened? My MIL visited at the weekend and said that it was the school's responsibility as the GP don't know him from Adam. Her youngest has an Asperger's diagnosis and she's quite clued up, so I thought maybe she was right?
Next question: how useful is a diagnosis? My husband has always been keen to avoid attaching a label to the child (or to himself), but I'm becoming increasingly of the opinion that it may be helpful. I appreciate that it's hard to get that label too, having seen friends going through the process for years.
Thanks for reading and sorry for rambling.
Ellie
