anyone else have trouble getting their child to attend their CAMHS appt?

[iamnotapanda]

CAMHS appt looming - ds says he won't go. He finds going out hard anyway and really doesn't like going to CAMHS. Anyone else experienced this?

[AlysWho]

Yes! In spades. I dont take her to appts. She's absolutely refused to go to CAHMS or Chld Health for a couple of years now. She hates the change to routine, doesnt understand why we need to go, hates people talking about her in front of her- fair enough- but she cant explain things for herself, says yes to everything!!
The docs are quite understanding of this on the whole, either I go alone and give them my testimony, or they arrange to see her at school, which is fine.
we did try, social stories, photos/ videos of where she's going (when poss- and thats not poss given the constant change of peads in CH!), spent many an hour in hosp car park havin my car torn to shreds mid meltdown etc etc.. its all very stressful and time consuming.
Obviously it depends on your child's abilities, and also the importance of the appt and whether you think he will get anything out of it, or if its something you could discuss without him. I've even had phone appts with one psych!
Good luck..x

[insanityscatching]

Yes it would be impossible if it weren't for the psych making ds the first appointment of the day and our being able to phone from the car park so that he is waiting at the door as we get in to take ds straight through.
The GP does the same as ds finds the waiting room impossible.

[iamnotapanda]

our psych isn't as accommodating unfortunately ...sees it as a parenting issue when ds refuses to 'engage' with them

[iamnotapanda]

'hates the change to routine, doesnt understand why we need to go, hates people talking about her in front of her'

that's my ds exactly

[AlysWho]

Have you asked about school visits/ or other ways they could be helpful to you to accommodate his needs? If the psych's not helpful, is there another proffessional you can go thro to ask them to approach CAMHS for flexibilty- eg social worker, key worker even school staff? This isnt an unusual problem to have with ASD kids esp! We also have a SN dentist who happily meets us in the carpark, we've yet to make it in! x

[iamnotapanda]

thanks he's not in school at the moment - will try for more flexibility when (hopefully soon) we get him back.