Is CAMHS not fit for purpose?

[PopGoesTheProsecco]

Finally got an ASD diagnosis for DD1. It took over four years. I got an email with ’useful links’ in it and a quick call from a CAMHS rep that’s all! Am now trying to get on a Cygnet Course. I don’t blame any CAMHS workers who I’m sure are doing their best to provide for their patients.

I just feel that mental health services for young people are massively underfunded.

Well why should asd be under mental health in the first place?
Doesn't it fit better with paediatrics? I think they might be bad at this part of their job because it shouldn't be part of their job!!

Terrible provision, terrible service, terrible processes, terrible waiting lists.

CAMHS don't do ASD diagnosis.

Neither do they have much to do with ASD aftercare in most ASD cases.

I'm not understanding your link between ASD and CAMHS?

The pathway to ASD diagnosis is often lengthy, yes.

And CAMHS are hugely overstretched, yes.

Both are still life lines for many. You need to be very high level to get quality CAMHS support. It's hard to hear,but naybe be thankful youf child isn't so high level.

Depends on the age of the child and part of the country if it’s CAMHS.

OP you’re lucky I only got a leaflet from community paeds!

to answer though. It is absolutely not fit for purpose and so many children and young people are suffering.

They are massively under resourced.

In my area though, there is a separate service for ASD and ADHD assessments- it’s called the NeuroDevelopmental service. They only really offer assessment, diagnosis and then advice/signposting. No ongoing input. There is a year long wait for this. If they met with people ongoing that wait would grow exponentially. It’s pretty inadequate sadly.

@Eupraxia depends on the healthboard! Some CAMHS do neurodevelopmental assessment.

In some parts of the country, they do.

My DD (8) can't get anywhere near CAMHS because her anxiety is a part of autism. I have no idea how useful they are if you actually get accepted.

It depends on where you are as to who makes the diagnosis. My borough is the paeds. Next door is CAMHS and the city is a multi-disciplinary team. Both the CAMHS team and Paeds team diagnose only and offer no follow up. The MDT diagnose and run post diagnostic interventions.

That’s the service my child was referred to for her ASC assessment.