Expecting help from CAMHS?

[Stressup]

My DS is 9. He has been showing signs of ADHD since he was 4. At first I wasn't taken seriously when I mentioned my concerns to the GP and I was told it was probably just because he was a little boy pushing boundaries. So I had to suck it up and deal with it. But when my DD15 became unwell and a TAF was put in place the support worker agreed he should be assessed. A CAMHS worker came into his school for half an hour and said it was probably just a food intolerence. When I tried to ask for a second opinion they refused.

I spent the last few years begging CAMHS to see him again. His behaviour only got worse, he was falling behind in school and he couldn't focus, and he was developing really bad anger issues. I was told that he doesn't meet the criteria to be seen and if there is an anger problem to see social services and take a parenting class.

About 18 months ago the SEN worker at his school contacted me and said he really needed an assessment because he was struggling. He also developed tourettes that he has been struggling with alot. The neurologist who diagnosed his tourettes also said that he showed alot of ADHD symptoms and that he should be assessed. The GP saw him and said she agreed that he needed a referal. And my DD (now 20) has been diagnosed with ADHD too. So the GP, the SEN worker and I all filled in the referal forms and wrote letters to CAMHS to request a proper assessment where they see him face to face. After waiting for months for a response I was contacted this morning to say that because the forms I sent don't say exactly the same as what the SEN worker said, his referal has been rejected. And even if he was accepted it's a 30 month waitlist to even be seen.

I don't know what to do. My son is really suffering without proper support. He continues to fall behind and his behaviour is extremely difficult to manage. I wanted to get him support young so that he could thrive. But they won't even look see him.

Aibu expecting help from CAMHS, or atleast sign posting to somebody who can help?

This is absolutely atrocious from CAHMS. I'm sorry I don't have anything helpful to offer, but sincerely hope you and your family get the help and support you need. X

Complain
www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/

It isn't good enough

I mean the way you have been not-treated isn't good enough

It sounds to me like the original referral was mistakenly for behaviour/anger issues rather than an ADHD assessment which is why they discussed food intolerances with you. This may depend on the area you are in but in my experience CAMHS are not the people who assess for ADHD? The GP can only refer to CAMHS, similarly CAMHS rejected our GP referral as not in their remit and said school has to submit the referral for ASD/ADHD assessments directly. When the school SENCO submitted the referral and DS was seen at the hospital for QB test and then diagnosed. We submitted a form and so did school but the GP had nothing to do with it and they definitely considered the fact that children with ADHD can behave differently in different settings (in regards to your forms not matching up). YANBU to expect help but perhaps the SEN support at the school is unaware they are referring to the wrong place, I would double check this with them.

I'd complain in writing to the PALs of the Trust that CAMHs comes under. I'd also send the same letter to the Chief executive of the Trust.
Then I'd write to or email my local MP with what you've written in your post.
This is not acceptable. I understand that CAMHS is an overwhelmed service but if they are the gatekeepers of a diagnosis, then written factual complaints are the only way forward.

Its awful and fairly standard for camhs

I so rarely ever hear anything good about cahms. Can you afford a private assessment?

Both school and CAMHS are at fault.

CAMHS have been notorious for years for delaying seeing children until things reach a dire point because they are so over-stretched. My ds's were rejected three times I think before being seen. Not that they were much help when we wers senn (but their issue was an ASC not ADHD).

But school are at fault too because they should be in support even without a formal diagnosis if a child is struggling academically or behaviourally at school. If, beyond their expertise, then they could call in an educational psychologist for advice. If, beyond, their resources then they could help you apply for an EHCP for him. Too expect CAMHS will be able to wave a magic wand even if you do manage to get seen is naive to say the least.

CAMHS are completely over stretched & under funded, my DS’s referral was rejected too. We paid for private counselling. In my area unless a child is suicidal they won’t be seen by CAMHS.

Paediatrics diagnose here. I'd go back to gp and ask for a referral

If there is any way you can afford private, that's the way to go.

You could complain (through the Trust's complaints department, not PALs and get your medical records first) but it probably won't make much difference.

It shouldn't be this way but people rarely receive good care from CAMHS.