"Neurodevelopment assessment. When?"

My son first saw a paediatrician in early 2021 due to a referral from his health visitor over for his development. The paediatrician had concerns (potential autism traits) but as he was so young wanted to see how he progressed and said they would see him again before starting school.

He started school in 2022 and it became more clear he has Autism/ ADHD. Saw the paediatrician again in Sept 2022 who confirmed what we and his school thought about a possible Autism/ ADHD diagnosis. 

Yet, now in April 2024, we and many many other families are still waiting.

Considering loans to pay for private assessment that may not be recognised but at least I could give my son answers about himself and why he feels the way he does. 

These children are being left experiencing a childhood where they don’t understand themselves or given the support or advice on how to manage it. 

Why after seeing two qualified paediatricians are we still waiting? Why did I only get a telephone consultation with speech and language, then sent a you tube video to watch? I am not qualified in this field and have no idea what is correct or not.

I now also have my daughter waiting for assessment, rejected by CAHMS as she hasn’t yet harmed herself - is the threat of it not important enough?

We are a family in distress. 

I know we haven’t been waiting as long as some, but want to express how broken we are.