Kel Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself a little. I'm Kel - I have 2 boys, Tom is 5 and PJ is nearlly 4. We believe that Tom has an ASD but we are finding it really hard to get a referral for a diagnosis - Mainly due to an old fasioned paediatrician who says he will not diagnose until the age of 8. Also as Tom doesn't 'tick all the boxes' this Dr has treated our family quite badly and made me question myself, even though every other person involved in his care are appalled that he has not had a referral. I'm hoping to talk to people going through similar issues to our family and maybe gain / give advice on shared problems and experiences. Thanks for listening Kel xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Hi Kel, and welcome to the forum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karen A Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Hi Kel <'> <'> Warm welcome.I am sure you will find that others here have had similar difficulties obtaining support and a Diagnosis.Karen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nic m Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Hi Kell, welcome to the forum. nic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oxgirl Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Hi Kel and welcome. Could the school help in getting a referral? ~ Mel ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Hi Kel, and welcome aboard It's so frustrating wrestling for a firm dx It's all very well for them to say 'he doesn't tick all the boxes for autism', but what they should be doing is looking very hard at the boxes he does tick and asking what those boxes add up to! L&P BD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare63 Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Hello Kel and welcome to the forum. Clare x x x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted February 13, 2008 Hi Kel & welcome. Hope you manage to find a better paed - I cant understand the reasoning behind delaying dx till 8, you will never get those years back when help could have been given <'> My son was dx'd at 5, not a moment too soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sueeltringham Report post Posted February 13, 2008 (edited) Hi Kel, Welcome to the forum. We also struggled to get a diagnosis, so we really pushed and demanded/insisted. Once we had a diagnosis it really got the ball rolling with statement, help and the education system actually believing us! The diagnosis shouldn't have made a difference really, but it did. Hope you get lots of useful tips from this forum, sue Edited February 13, 2008 by sueeltringham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASue67 Report post Posted February 14, 2008 Hi! I struggled to get dx for my son as I knew that there was something not right from when he was a toddler. Been going backwards and forwards to various professionals since he was about 4............. finally got dx of ASD last July (he is 8). Keep fighting - you know your child best! <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rach04 Report post Posted February 14, 2008 I too struggled with my lad getting a diagnosis(asd) and it took alot of shouting and stamping to get it. We are now fighting to get him statemented hang in there it is tough but everyone here is so friendly and a wealth of information and will help you every step f the way <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynne Report post Posted February 14, 2008 Hi Kel, Welcome to the forum it has lots of useful information. Under the NHS you are entitled to see a second specialist if you are not happy with the first specialist. So if I was you I would go and see my GP explain the situation and ask to see another specialist at a different hospital. You may have to travel further but it will be worth it. take care lyn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted February 15, 2008 Hi Kel, Welcome to the forum You've already been given some good advice . Any questions along the way, just ask. Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kel Report post Posted February 15, 2008 Wow! Thanks for all the support and warm welcomes everyone. We have a huge amount of support already via community projects and Toms' school - Tom has a statement which provides him a full time PA at school, the school liases with a local special needs school for advice, Tom has a speech therapists and we also attend intense play and speech therapy sessions once a fortnight. The family also has a Portage worker to advise on home life. Everyone involved recognises that Tom needs a lot of help except the paediatrician who is the one man who can get us a refferal for a Dx. Glad to know others have been through the same type of problems - It'll give me the strength to tell the Dr he's wrong when we see him in March!! Thanks again everyone Kel Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellisisamazing Report post Posted February 15, 2008 Hello Kel, Welcome! I hope you find some answers and Good Luck getting a dx! Tell that Doc what for! Lisa xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites