Autism - advice/help: Hi All, I have a 2 year... - Autism Support

Autism Support

3,446 members825 posts

Autism - advice/help

K45hif profile image
2 Replies

Hi All, I have a 2 year old daughter turning 3 next month. Only today, she has been screened and diagnosed with Autism. We have raised our concerns here in London with the health advisers in the past that her development is slow and she's not like other babies, but have always been told that she is still young and we should not worry.

My wife went to visit her family in Pakistan, and many of my aunts suggested that she should visit a doctor. A doctor suggested 2 days ago that she might be autistic and suggested we go see a specialist. My wife took her to the specialist today and they have confirmed that she does have autism.

We are both very new to this condition so we are still learning and slowly coming to terms. We have been suggested to get her treatment started here in London once my wife returns on 3rd March.

I'm on here reaching out - can someone please suggest how we can best deal with this? Is this worth going through NHS or privately? We are financially stable in someway, we were saving for a house - but this has to come first, so happy to go private if someone can recommend?

We have been told to not let her sleep alone and that she needs attention at all times. We are hoping to start her speech and hearing therapy - will see what our GP suggests first here.

Thanks

Written by
K45hif profile image
K45hif
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
2 Replies
emmasue profile image
emmasue

When you return, I would suggest you see your child's GP as soon as possible. Give him the information from the doctor in Pakistan. See what your GP advises. I would say that a private diagnosis is quicker than an NHS diagnosis and you are probably able to get treatment more quickly if you go privately. The downsides are the cost and that if you intend to send your daughter to a state school (either a special educational needs school or a mainstream school), the system seems to favour an NHS diagnosis over a private diagnosis. If you intend to send your daughter to a private school, this may not be an issue, but I don't really have knowledge of the private school sector. The other option is to speak to the National Autistic Society. They may be able to offer better advice. They have a helpline that has been useful to me. I'll post the link in a second.

emmasue profile image
emmasue

autism.org.uk/

You may also like...

Looking for advice - suspected autism threatening my career

I live with ADD and I've been suspecting for some time that I am autistic too. My family and close...

autism assessment tomorrow...

remember what I just wrote... Have the questionnaire part of autism assessment tomorrow, then...

struggle with autism and feeling lonely

I've recently been diagnosed with autism im 26 and im finding it hard i dont have any friends to...

Private autism referal

list of an autism diagnosis however it’s a year long waiting list I was looking to go private spoke...

Advice and support

that her speech and development is delayed for her age, but autism is yet to be mentioned. She is...