Need advice :(

OneYorkshireLass

Some people pay for private assessments because:

a) NHS ones are sometimes pants (yes, I have experience of this - one psychologist said I was dyslexic. I love reading, I have a proofreading qualification and a Masters in English Literature. I think it's safe to say I'm not dyslexic.)

b) the waiting lists for an NHS assessment can be very very lengthy (yes, I have experience of this too)

c) private assessments are more thorough and the recommendations are tailored to the individual (yes, I also have experience of this)

d) it's easier to go back to the private assessor for more help and advice than it is to try and contact an NHS assessor (yes I have.. well, you get the picture ...)

chivers1977

Teabag

I have indeed found that based on the private report alone with the new dx, I struggled to get the school to help him. What it did however was open up the NHS services to understanding his issues and I now have the private dx typed on NHS paper with NHS recommendations. The school is now helping based on that report. It also helped me invaluably personally as I stopped the "maybe there is nothing wrong" or "maybe I am just imagining it" feelings. It helped me to move on to the next steps of "what do I need to do".

The Developmental Paediatrician took us through a 1.5 hr initial appointment where every single milestone from babyhood was queried, she observed him and wrote a report based on this. There was not a case of her simply deciding what she felt by reading others opinions. She absolutely took the 18 page OT report seriously but did comment that there is an issue in that schools and some doctors will not.

Based on this appointment, he is now in the Social Communication PAthway and this seems to now have people taking us seriously as they know that it is unusal in our PCT to be referred to the pathway without a strong belief that the child is on the spectrum.