I have a 16 year old son who is awaiting an autism assessment

[Kristy]

My lad is currently awaiting an ASD assessment but the waiting list is 6 months, just to even get an appointment. The NHS and secondary school have failed him. He was under CAHMS but they will no longer see him due to his age. They had diagnosed him with Anxiety and did not feel he needed an Autism assessment. I am currently paying for therapy sessions twice a month. The therapist is 100% sure he falls on the ASD spectrum and has sent a letter to his GP and to where he has been referred to, on the hope that he gets seen to quicker. Any advise would appreciated. He is sleeping his life away and I feel so helpless.

[SarahL]

Hello @Kristy

Welcome to FamilyHub. There are lots of other parents and families on here so I really hope someone can help.

Cheers
Sarah - FamilyHub team

[Kristy]

Does any9ne any advisrplease

[frances_is_a_sibling]

Hi @Kristy welcome to the family hub. Waiting lists are a huge problem and many families are in a similar situation - you’re not alone. It’s painful seeing someone you love suffer while they wait for the help they so desperately need. You just want the best for him, you want him to thrive and do well in life. It sounds like you’re doing absolutely everything you can to make that happen, and it’s good to hear that the therapist has also given their opinion to the GP in the hope of him getting seen quicker. Other than searching for a private ASD assessment locally, I don’t know what else you could do. Keep in touch and let us know how it goes

[SarahL]

Hello again @Kristy

I hope the responses you are getting on here are helping a little. You can also discuss this further with an advisor on our Learning Disability Helpline - just call 0808 808 1111 or send an email to helpline@mencap.org.uk

Thanks
Sarah

[alanwpickup]

Hi Kristy

I do not have any personal experience of supporting someone with Autism, but in my involvement with LD I come across many people who do and many of the initiatives being developed for LD go under the Banner of LD or Autism. I would suggest looking at the National Autistic Website www.autism.org.uk this may give you some help or put you in touch with local groups that can help with activities.

I do not know which part of the country you are from but the situation of waiting times is similar where I live in the north west and we hear of cases taking well over 6 months for the first appointment and the diagnosis can extend over 12 to 18 months., one of the main reasons being the shortage of NHS trained clinicians I would add a word of caution in private diagnosis having heard of people paying for this, then the local authorities not recognising it. Make sure that anyone you use is approved by the local authority who will be responsible for commissioning support based on the diagnosis.

Check if there is a Autism Partnership Board in your area, this is a requirement but again can vary from area to area. Ours started last year and I attend just to improve my understanding as I an chair of trustees for the local Carers Service and we have family carers we support who are dealing with Autism and the isolation of their loved ones on a daily basis.

Regards
AlanP