possible autism or something else?

[Pastyandacustardslice]

DS7 is struggling with school, he has multiple melt-downs a day, and spends large portions of the day calming down in the corridor. He refuses to go outside at playtime and says that he's lost all his friends (possibly due to his angry outbursts where he blames the other kids for his anger).

5 months ago was the first time we heard of his struggles and it was around the time that we complained to school about persistent bullying that was affecting lots of the boys (ie DS was one of many, many targets for 2 boys that appeared to rule the playground).

5 months later, the bullying was dealt with and all the other kids seem to be doing OK apart from DS, who is still very very angry - and getting worse.

We're in the process of getting a CAMHS referral, but are getting frustrated by the time it's taking and i can't stop doing google-diagnosis (which doesn't help!!)

Before this happened we'd had 2 years of OK reports from school, not great, not terrible, he learns well enough, was sociable, nothing too out of the ordinary. But since the bullying it's all changed. The school are treating him as if he has Autism, which had never even occurred to us before.

Does anyone have any experience of classroom meltdowns where it wasn't down to Autism?

[Fanjango]

To be honest if he's having these meltdowns then a referral to Paediatric doctors should be made to assess. Can the schools SENCO refer for you? If not ask your gp.

[Pastyandacustardslice]

Thanks fan, the school told us they'd made a referral 5 months ago but it turns out that they haven't (I don't know why).

We're now going down the frustratingly slow GP route. And are in shock tbh.

[Imaginosity]

Is there anything else about him that's different to others his age?

[Strix]

ADHD and ASD (Asperger) are often misdiagnosed as one another as the symptoms can be similar.

I've recently learned that all schools have an educational psychologist who can make these referrals. GPs can also make the referral. In my area (Richmond/Kingston) there is a SPA (single point access) where even I could make the referral.

I'm a bit concerned the school has decided he is autistic without getting a proper assessment.

Do you mind if I ask what part of the UK you are in? It might help other posters give you better advice on your area.

[Strix]

You mention the CAMHS referral is taking a long time. Perhaps it is worth chasing them. My GP referred us to CAMHS. And I got the questionnaires to complete in under two weeks. I have yet to find out how long I have to wait for the actual assessment. Finger crossed it's not as long as I fear!

[Pastyandacustardslice]

We're in LB of Barnet. The GP referral seems to be moving things along quicker (but not fast enough).

I just read a very detailed report from a school observation that points quite clearly to an autistic child. My heart is breaking that I didn't appear to know my son at all, and have let him down. I'm devastated.

[Strix]

Aww... I'm sorry. Don't beat yourself up. You are not supposed to be perfect. I think other people see things parents don't. Surely what you need is an expert assessment so you can form a plan.