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Getting a diagnosis

Michsel

my daughters original health visiter told me not to be surprised if she is diagnosed with a form of autism, but that she can not officially diagnose.

speech and language told me not to be surprised if she is diagnosed with a form of autism, but that they can not officially diagnose.

the GP told me that they do not do Autism diagnosis

occupational Therapy told me they do not do autism diagnosis, then closed it off without ever seeing my daughter.

The school is now asking for an official diagnosis so they can help more (she is already in the schools internal speech and language)

where next as everything through the nhs has been closed off, with no answers???

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Comments

Morgan_Alumni

Hello @Michsel and welcome to the community.

There are a few things to address here:

Your daughter's school should be able to provide full support, even without a diagnosis. A diagnosis can help them understand her needs better, but she does not need one for them to give more support
The service works a little differently in different areas but your daughter's GP should be able to refer her to paediatricians in order for her to be assessed for autism. In most areas NHS Health Visitors, and NHS Speech and Language therapists are also able to refer for assessment.

Waiting lists are extremely long in all areas.

The NHS recommends if you are having difficulty having her referred for an assessment that you can ask to speak to another GP for a second opinion.

WhatThe

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is an excellent source of information about the diagnostic process. They can send you free leaflets and also have an advice line.

Your GP can't diagnose your daughter but should agree to making a referral for an assessment under the NHS. A private assessment and diagnosis will take far less time if that's an option for you.

Well done for getting this far. Girls have been much harder to diagnose because we 'mask' and appear to be coping when we're struggling.

Morgan_Alumni

I forgot to add, if you're struggling to get the right support for your daughter from her school, IPSEA might be a good source of information for you.

Michsel

thanks all, I rang the doctor, they didn’t want to do an as autism assessment, so called them again today and was just a lot more assertive, this time got to see a doctor within 4 hours, they just looked at the documents they had on there system, and agreed an assessment was needed, and said I will be contacted at some point.

Kind of annoying that they didn’t do this when I previously asked instead of saying they don’t arrange the assessments, and that I had to be so annoying and insistent to them, but at least it sounded like progress today.

thanks as previously the GPs office denied any responsibility until I started being a pain for them.

Albus_Alumni

That's good to hear @Michsel I'm confused as to why the previous GP said they didn't do diagnosis? They don't specifically do the diagnosis, but the GP is always the first port of call as they're the ones who make the initial referral. But at least that's got the ball rolling now. 😊

OverlyAnxious

My GP refused me an autism assessment around 5 years ago. I wish I'd been more assertive and pushed them for one now so good to hear that's what you've done. It shouldn't have to be this way though.