Go forward with autism evaluation or not?

[Anonymous]

DD5 has an older brother has autism, adhd and other diagnosis. She currently has adhd hyperactive symptoms, speech delay in talking (talk like 3 years old), and struggles in k curriculum (reading, writing and math). She has IEP. She was suspicious of asd by developmental pediatrican 1 year ago, and 2 days ago on annual follow up, she was not concerned anymore. We don't think she has autism, but we think she has adhd or might be other diagnosis that we are not aware of. I get a phone call today that we are off long waiting list for autism evaluation at children hospital, should we go ahead to do it? Can ados test diagnosis adhd or other diagnosis? We are expected to pay maybe $1k for it, and DH says that we should proceed just in case she has asd or other things.

[Anonymous]

I would because you still have concerns.

[Anonymous]

I would. It will help you identify what's going on. You have the appointment already and the cost is not unreasonable (sad to say thats the reality).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD5 has an older brother has autism, adhd and other diagnosis. She currently has adhd hyperactive symptoms, speech delay in talking (talk like 3 years old), and struggles in k curriculum (reading, writing and math). She has IEP. She was suspicious of asd by developmental pediatrican 1 year ago, and 2 days ago on annual follow up, she was not concerned anymore. We don't think she has autism, but we think she has adhd or might be other diagnosis that we are not aware of. I get a phone call today that we are off long waiting list for autism evaluation at children hospital, should we go ahead to do it? Can ados test diagnosis adhd or other diagnosis? We are expected to pay maybe $1k for it, and DH says that we should proceed just in case she has asd or other things.

So they are doing a full neuropsych evaluation? I mean this kindly, but if she is struggling to access the kindergarten curriculum, you need to figure out why. So it’s all good if they look at the ASD piece, but really you need to figure out why she is struggling in all her subjects. Did the developmental ped. Say she’s too young for an ADHD diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD5 has an older brother has autism, adhd and other diagnosis. She currently has adhd hyperactive symptoms, speech delay in talking (talk like 3 years old), and struggles in k curriculum (reading, writing and math). She has IEP. She was suspicious of asd by developmental pediatrican 1 year ago, and 2 days ago on annual follow up, she was not concerned anymore. We don't think she has autism, but we think she has adhd or might be other diagnosis that we are not aware of. I get a phone call today that we are off long waiting list for autism evaluation at children hospital, should we go ahead to do it? Can ados test diagnosis adhd or other diagnosis? We are expected to pay maybe $1k for it, and DH says that we should proceed just in case she has asd or other things.

So they are doing a full neuropsych evaluation? I mean this kindly, but if she is struggling to access the kindergarten curriculum, you need to figure out why. So it’s all good if they look at the ASD piece, but really you need to figure out why she is struggling in all her subjects. Did the developmental ped. Say she’s too young for an ADHD diagnosis?

I think it will be only autism evaluation when we signed up 1 year ago, and not the full neuropsych evaluation. PP, the problem is that we noticed she struggled on these since she was age 3, and private daycare/IEP/pediatrican/developmental pediatrican & even public k teacher all have been telling us parebts that every kid develop differently, and she is still young. I know they have been telling me bullshit, but what could we do if everyone has been telling us the same thing. Our older child is gifted, and they all tell me do not compare her with the other child. Developemtal ped has given her some logic brain test, she did well. She seems to be a smart girl, but she can't talk well and can't do well at academic. Maybe I can raise some concerns at this autism evaluation appointment for them to do further test. I think she has learning disability, but no one will evaluate her at age 5. Her adhd alike symptom is unlike her older brother, I think she has more issues in being inattentive than being hyperactive. She does not pay attention in class.

[Anonymous]

I would call the children's hospital and explain that you're concerned that there might be something other than ASD going on (in addition or instead), and ask if they have an option to expand and do a full assessment. It's entirely possible that they will be able to, since you've already got the slot.

[Anonymous]

An evaluation for ASD must consider the other conditions that could be causing the symptoms you are seeing, so I would go ahead with the appointment.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend proceeding with the evaluation. You'll have a piece of mind and insurance will pay for services if needed.

[Anonymous]

I would. We weren't sure if we should but then did and he was diagnosed. The diagnosis opened the door to a lot of services.

[Anonymous]

Do it. What you described is not a “not cause for consern”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would call the children's hospital and explain that you're concerned that there might be something other than ASD going on (in addition or instead), and ask if they have an option to expand and do a full assessment. It's entirely possible that they will be able to, since you've already got the slot.

This. Call and find out what else they may be able to help you identify given your concerns have changed. I would not spend money on an ASD evaluation for a five year old who could likely benefit from a full evaluation for ADHD very soon, if not now.