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Original poster

Please help me understand what is happening? (Neuro diversity)

37 replies

MinticecreamwithaCherryonTop · 18/03/2025 10:26

We have a face to face appointment for us to receive feedback, and the outcome of our child's lengthy CYPS assessment. We have been asked to bring our child along to this, and advised that it will take an hour.
The only thing is that this appointment isn't just with the community practitioner from CYPS who has fully dealt with the case. It is also with a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist.

What does this mean? Should I be worried? Has anybody experienced this as part of the ND diagnosis process?

Thank you.

I apologise for attaching this thread to AIBU, I have done so for traffic.

OP posts:
Lammveg · 18/03/2025 14:36

I think they'll have said 'doctor' when they meant a CAMHS psychiatrist. That's the type of dr that will make an adhd diagnosis x

Original poster
MinticecreamwithaCherryonTop · 18/03/2025 14:33

Backinthedress · 18/03/2025 14:16

Please please don't be worried. You've done this process, gone for assessment, because your child has some needs that mean it was worth the effort of the process. Whatever they get a diagnosis of is not going to change them; who they are or what they struggle with. A diagnosis or a label does not change anything except to make a few doors a little easier to open, some support a little more possible to access.

I know how this feels. I was where you are five years ago. The diagnosis helped. The support helped. The label helped. It helped my little boy, and - if your child has a need that can receive a diagnosis - then it will help them too. Take deep breaths. This will change nothing about your child.

Edited

Thank you, that is really reassuring. Ds has only just turned 8. He had a huge melt down last night, just when I thought he was doing better. There has been a change to his routine at school; dh and I think this may have triggered it.
He tells me he hates himself, that he is stupid etc and the whole thing is just heartbreaking. I use positive reinforcement, but I just feel like I have failed him as a Mother, because he still hates himself so much. I shower him with love and praise, yet it isn't working. He is intelligent and a lovely little boy; he told me yesterday that he was on his own at lunchtime as the little girl he usually plays with was playing with somebody else, and that he feels "alone", and "not normal." I kept it together, but sat amd cried earlier; he's at school.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but did your son see a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist too? Is this all to do with neuro diversity? The school have interventions in place and the SENCO has labelled dc's behaviour as ADHD, but not the bolting hyperactive kind, he has symptoms of the other type; there is apparently two.

OP posts:
ShhhhhItsASurprise · 18/03/2025 14:30

RavenLaw · 18/03/2025 14:22

My best guess is to expect an ADHD dx in that case and the psych is there to discuss whether you want to look at medication. Emphasise that this is only my best guess though!

Do you know the name of the psychiatrist? You may be able to get an idea of their specialism by googling.

Show quote history

This.

Arran2024 · 18/03/2025 14:29

Yes, they need a psychiatrist to prescribe meds. Don't worry. My daughter used tocsee a psychologist at camhs re her asd but when she had an adhd assessment they brought in the psychiatrist.

RavenLaw · 18/03/2025 14:22

MinticecreamwithaCherryonTop · 18/03/2025 14:10

Thank you @RavenLaw do you think with the consultant being there that we are going to get a diagnosis of something? They have assessed for autism and ADHD. The community practitioner said they usually just write to you within an autism diagnosis, but they have to have a doctor there for ADHD. I thought okay, but it has worried me when I saw that this isn't just a doctor, but a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Edited
Show quote history

My best guess is to expect an ADHD dx in that case and the psych is there to discuss whether you want to look at medication. Emphasise that this is only my best guess though!

Do you know the name of the psychiatrist? You may be able to get an idea of their specialism by googling.

Original poster
MinticecreamwithaCherryonTop · 18/03/2025 14:20

GoldfinchesInTheTree · 18/03/2025 12:51

I don't know specifically and am just about to go into a meeting but if you Google neuro wilde and pictures she has some amazing resources/suggestions for ways to talk to your child about assessment/diagnosis if you've not seen already.

They do need 2 clinicians to diagnose a child but you day they've already done that bit.

Good luck.

Thank you so much for replying, especially when you are busy
We haven't received the official diagnosis yet. Dc has been assessed at length for autism and adhd. The general practitioner said a doctor has to be there when there has also been an assessment for adhd. I just didn't expect it to be a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist. It is making me scared that they think dc has something wrong other than ND. I don't understand if we will get fhe diagnosis at the appointment, with the letter saying it is to discuss the assessment outcome, or later. I am scared of what will be said, because dc is only 8.
Thank you so much for the resources, I will take a look.

OP posts:
Arran2024 · 18/03/2025 14:20

What I would suggest is that there are 2 adults at these appointments so that one of you can remove the child from the room while any diagnoses or comments are made. And take notes. Good luck

Backinthedress · 18/03/2025 14:16

Please please don't be worried. You've done this process, gone for assessment, because your child has some needs that mean it was worth the effort of the process. Whatever they get a diagnosis of is not going to change them; who they are or what they struggle with. A diagnosis or a label does not change anything except to make a few doors a little easier to open, some support a little more possible to access.

I know how this feels. I was where you are five years ago. The diagnosis helped. The support helped. The label helped. It helped my little boy, and - if your child has a need that can receive a diagnosis - then it will help them too. Take deep breaths. This will change nothing about your child.

Original poster
MinticecreamwithaCherryonTop · 18/03/2025 14:10

RavenLaw · 18/03/2025 12:53

I wouldn't be particularly worried - a practitioner alone isn't qualified to diagnose so I would expect a psychologist or psychiatrist to be involved. Good luck!

Thank you @RavenLaw do you think with the consultant being there that we are going to get a diagnosis of something? They have assessed for autism and ADHD. The community practitioner said they usually just write to you within an autism diagnosis, but they have to have a doctor there for ADHD. I thought okay, but it has worried me when I saw that this isn't just a doctor, but a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist.

OP posts:
RavenLaw · 18/03/2025 12:53

I wouldn't be particularly worried - a practitioner alone isn't qualified to diagnose so I would expect a psychologist or psychiatrist to be involved. Good luck!

GoldfinchesInTheTree · 18/03/2025 12:51

I don't know specifically and am just about to go into a meeting but if you Google neuro wilde and pictures she has some amazing resources/suggestions for ways to talk to your child about assessment/diagnosis if you've not seen already.

They do need 2 clinicians to diagnose a child but you day they've already done that bit.

Good luck.

Original poster
MinticecreamwithaCherryonTop · 18/03/2025 12:49

Bump

OP posts: