If your child does not receive a diagnosis it means that the multi-disciplinary team who have assessed your child do not feel there is enough evidence to meet the diagnostic criteria.
You may understandably feel a mix of emotions, like disappointment, confusion, or being relieved and pleased. It's useful to take some time to read all the feedback and think about how you can move forward. This page explores some of your options.
If a diagnosis isn't given, you will still receive feedback about the reasons and factors that have influenced the decision. You will still receive the assessment reports and a summary explaining the non-diagnosis.
Your child's needs can still be supported in education and across services without a diagnosis, and you should continue to keep those services informed if your child's needs change. By law, reasonable adjustments must be made for a child based on their needs, regardless of diagnostic labels.
Some services offer advice and support regarding a non-diagnosis, these include:
Contact
The charity Contact may be able to advise you about your options for referrals, including private assessments.
Find advice about non-diagnosis here
Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)
The NHS has a patient advice and liaison service that offers advice, support and information. They can help with:
Sometimes difficulties can become more evident as children get older. In these cases, continue to keep evidence and return to your GP to ask for a re-referral for a second opinion.
Let us know what you think!
We've been working together in Norfolk and Waveney with families and professionals to put together information, advice and resources that are helpful to families. Let us know what you think, and anything we could change or add to make it even better.
If you live in Norfolk
You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.
If you live in Waveney
Norfolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Norfolk.
Suffolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Waveney.
Mencap is a national charity who support people with learning disabilities. They offer a free Learning Disability Helpline with advice and guidance. Call 0808 808 1111 to speak to a trained professional.
Kooth offers online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support for anyone aged 10-18, seven days a week until 10pm.
