I was wondering if you can help me find out if my child has ASD. He is undergoing assessment but when you are a parent you just want to know if there is something wrong. He has just got a statment going through as we speak. He is 3 yrs academically behind and is in year 5. He has difficulties in socialising with anyone he doesnt know. If you look at him on the outside he looks like any other child.I believe he has ASD but need it medically proven. He quiet and withdrawn and he does not have any friends. He is bullied at school due to the lack of understanding and he can't procees things that we take for granted.

Thank you for your enquiry, I am glad to hear that your son's educational needs are being assessed, this will ensure he receives the support necessary for him to achieve academically at school. A diagnosis of ASD is made by the local CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), there is usually a screening questionnaire for parents/carers, and then an interview with a psychiatrist, sometimes an ADOS assessment is used to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Your GP can refer you to your local CAMHS team.

I need to sort home tuition for a year 10 pupil, it is a pivotal time for her and I am concerned it will affect her results - the LA's advice is email her some work - this does not feel good enough, how can I ensure she gets access to home tuition? 

It may be helpful to refer to the following: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-for-children-with-health-needs-who-cannot-attend-school This outlines the duties placed upon the local authority to ensure that children and young people have their right to education protected.

Hello, I need some advice with regards to my daughter who is 11 years old and isn't attending school at the moment. This is due to her depression and anxiety. She also has a diagnosis of ASD. Is there anything I can do for her while she is at home? Art therapy came to mind. Any advice would be most helpful.

I am sorry that your daughter has become anxious about attending school. I note that she is secondary school age and I wonder if this is a new feeling due to the transfer to a larger school. I presume you have had meetings at school and explored the issues surrounding this anxiety, and looking at the areas of pressure. For example is it maths, PE, a particular teacher or friendship group? An individual timetable to assist her returning may help if she is able to have some choice of subjects to begin with. Whilst your daughter is not attending it is essential that you keep to a timetable, for example still getting up washing and getting dressed ready for the day at 8.00 – have some books that you can read together, and take exercise each day. If you have a computer it should be possible to link into the school web site and educational activities. What unfortunately often happens is that the sleep pattern slips and this causes other complications making it more difficult to return to school. Time watching TV or social media should be kept to the end of what would usually be the school day. Good luck!