Autism diagnosis in children

[Helen1512]

Hi
Just wanted to send a virtual hug and wish you luck with all this. My eldest son was diagnosed autistic aged 3 and my youngest when he was 7. It’s been a ride with many ups and downs and some tough times. They are now 21 and 23. Both are employed. Both driving and my eldest is just in the process of buying his own flat. They amaze me and make me proud everyday. I have never let their diagnosis define them and always had ambition for them to be their best. The best advice and help I ever had and still have is from other parents with children with autism. I have made a life long friend from a parent I met at a local parent group. She also has two autistic children. To talk to other parents who don’t judge and who understand, listen and advise or sometimes just hug you and let you cry is the best. Have a look in your area and see if there are any parent groups. The national autistic society is a good website to go to for advice and support too. Good luck with everything 🤗

[arielrocks]

Originally Posted by bronny

This is why we went to the National Autistic Service. It’s one private place that is recognized by everyone. The GP actually referred us there.

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THIS ^^^^

We have already been told that the NHS don’t accept private diagnosis from everyone so if we go down that route we would be very careful about who we used.

Xx

[MillyMoo]

The path for boys and the path for girls is incredibly different! The tests are all tick boxes and girls often don't fit into them, its incredibly frustrating!

[alkel2730]

Hi lovely, yep we have - feel free to DM any time xx

[Megandllsmum]

We were told when Lilly was diagnosed it is harder to diagnose autism in girls compared to boys. Not saying that's easy either 😔, girls mimic behaviours more than boys tend to do, my daughter was picked up early mainly through traits like tip toe walking, stimming, lack of eye contact etc etc classic traits but if she was to be assessed now it would be a lot harder as she's very mature for her age, very intelligent, does a lot of the things her friends do... Mimicking.
But in other ways it is very obvious she has an autism diagnosis when she's at home sometimes, she typically at school and with her friends masks what is affecting her and then it's as if in the safety of her own space she can release all the anxiety that has clearly gotten to her xx

[MillyMoo]

Originally Posted by Megandllsmum

We were told when Lilly was diagnosed it is harder to diagnose autism in girls compared to boys. Not saying that's easy either 😔, girls mimic behaviours more than boys tend to do, my daughter was picked up early mainly through traits like tip toe walking, stimming, lack of eye contact etc etc classic traits but if she was to be assessed now it would be a lot harder as she's very mature for her age, very intelligent, does a lot of the things her friends do... Mimicking.
But in other ways it is very obvious she has an autism diagnosis when she's at home sometimes, she typically at school and with her friends masks what is affecting her and then it's as if in the safety of her own space she can release all the anxiety that has clearly gotten to her xx

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You could be talking about my daughter!

[Megandllsmum]

Originally Posted by MillyMoo

You could be talking about my daughter!

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Thing is when parents and carers do start talking like this about their kiddos, you do see things you re ognise in your own, it often helps I find, I don't wax lyrical about my daughters autism but I like to try and help anyone with anything I think could be relevant or helpful, likewise others have helped me with things over the years, I regularly see something and think "yep that's my daughter" xx

[Bootrip2]

Originally Posted by bronny

This is why we went to the National Autistic Service. It’s one private place that is recognized by everyone. The GP actually referred us there.

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Can i ask how much it was please? Looking for 2nd opinion on DD?

[bronny]

Originally Posted by Bootrip2

Can i ask how much it was please? Looking for 2nd opinion on DD?

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Because the referral was made by the GP it was funded by our NHS trust.

[top4]

I know the local centre to us do screening and its about £3000 ,you can get funding from thr gov to pay a % but it still leaves about £1000 to pay x