Getting assessed for SN question

[alardi]

DS (10yo) was interviewed last week by a psychiatric nurse who has referred him on for a full assessment (I imagine with an educational psychologist). So all that is ok.

The nurse was quite direct and almost pointed in her questions; DS clammed up, got defensive & didn't want to talk to her. Nurse said words to the effect "we can't help him if he won't cooperate, what do you hope to achieve if we take this further?" I said that I thought some insight into his emotional problems/social difficulties could still help us. I also think his inability to cooperate IS his problem, or a main one, anyway. So is there nothing they can do to help with that?

For anyone who has been thru the system, is that a standard attitude? "What a shame but we can't help if he don't let us. Dismissed."?

I am going into this process with very low expectations, do I need to lower them still further?

No don't give up. That doesn't sound very helpful at all of that nurse. Frankly it sounds downright rude.

Go to the ed psych, she/he SHOULD be a lot more sensitive. If this isn't the case get some backing from your GP.

If you think your DS is uncommunicative in general there is a lot and Ed Psych can suggest which can improve things. don't let that nurse put you off.

Not giving up, but whole thing is a bit tick-boxy, iyswim. At least if in future I mention DS's problems & someone suggests SN I can say he's been assessed and we can exclude SN. I think GP has already done what she can, so what happens is up to the next person in chain (probably an ed-psych).

um, CAMHS? I dunno but it's NHS anyway.