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Pediatrician, camhs won't see us where now?

11 replies

Violet44 · 28/03/2018 12:41

My son (5) has various issues but mainly to do with learning he is really quite behind accademically, school have applied for EHCP but said they can't meet his needs. I am waiting for it to go through. We were referred to pediatrician by a speech therapist, but pediatrician said camhs was more appropriateso we were referred there. I just got a letter from CAMHs to say the referral was for ASD or ADHD assessment (I didn't know we'd been referred for this) but he scores well above threshold on social communication questionnaire we were sent to be ASD ( and he's not very social but I don't suspect ASD). ADHD they won't assess because he's not 6 ( although will be in a months time). I have wondered about ADD ( don't really think he's hyperactive) but then he can focus well and for a long time in his play and ADD wouldn't explain all his issues, like his inability to write letters right way, or to master phonics
I was really hoping we could get an appointment to get some answers and help but not sure what to do next. I was hoping they could just have a broad look at his problems rather than specific assessment. They suggest a school assessment by EP which he has already had, cognitively low but she didn't know why or what would work for him. Do I just wait for EHCP and see what provision he is offered or is there anything else I can do?

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OneInEight · 29/03/2018 08:05

Back to your GP and ask for another referral. We also experienced the ping pong between CAMHS and the Community Paediatrician team. Persistence won in the end but it did take a few attempts.. In your case as you want an overall picture I would have thought the Community Paediatricians were the service to pursue hardest. CAMHS are for primarily for mental health disorders although in some areas they can diagnose an ASC.

Having said this we found that in terms of support and strategies the EHCP route was by far the most effective than the medical route who simply gave us a bit of paper with a diagnosis and waved goodbye. Mine just have an ASC though and not ADHD or ADD (which can be helped with medication).

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MiaowTheCat · 29/03/2018 09:48

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Allthewaves · 29/03/2018 22:23

If its like our trust you have to wait until 6th birthday. Then go back to gp and ask for adhd referral. Eldest was found not to have asd at 5 but we had to wait a year before they would look at adhd - incredibly infuriating

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RaBBityNeSS · 30/03/2018 17:30

Just wanted to say that ADHD goes hand in hand with lots of other disorders which could explain the handwriting issues. Our boy has a diagnosis of ADHD but also struggles with writing, has sensory issues and tics. Keep pushing I hope you get answers soon.

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RaBBityNeSS · 30/03/2018 17:31

He also wasn't very hyper when diagnosed (aged 6) but this has become more of an issue now he's 7!

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zzzzz · 30/03/2018 19:33

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Allthewaves · 30/03/2018 19:49

Echp - what's the schools view - r they looking 1:1 or moving him to different school

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Violet44 · 31/03/2018 00:40

All the school just say they can't meet his needs and suggest a school with a unit, but most of the schools with unit are ASD units and he doesn't fit, I really have no idea what brst option school wise is am waiting to see what LEA suggest. Rabbityness interesting what you say about ADHD need to maybe read more about it. How does your child cope accademically? Does he get help. Maybe I should ring CAMHs and point out he's 6 in a month's time.

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RaBBityNeSS · 31/03/2018 13:45

Yes have a look at ADHD comorbidity, you'll see there are many links. My boy does struggle, he's behind but making progress. He's very bright but just struggles to get it down on paper. His teacher has lots of strategies in place to help but it's by no means easy and they need to be on the ball with him to keep him on track.

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belis86 · 14/04/2018 10:14

How low cognitively? If your child is learning disabled that in itself explains his difficulties. It is up to the school to arrange for education that can meet his needs.

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Violet44 · 16/04/2018 22:37

He is low accademically and I would say about a year and a half behind but quite specific problems his language developed normally and is age appropriate. So I don't know if his lack of attention is because of ADD or because of his learning difficulties.