Anybody else’s dc not back in school due to mental health?

I just found this thread and am taking a bit of comfort (but also a great deal of sadness) from the fact that we are not alone. DD, 15, has been in and out of school since November 2021. Suspected ASD, now depression plus anxiety, I’m kicking myself that I didn’t do something earlier.

I am at my wits’ end. She won’t even ride, which she loves. I’m taking time off work as I can’t focus. CAMHS have made a godalmighty cock-up of her case, passing her and me through 3 different areas this week whilst we are awaiting a crisis assessment.

I don’t know how much longer I can do this for. Counselling for me is weeks away and I’m exhausted.

Good to hear your update Pen I am sorry things are moving so slowly for you. I'm sorry Bluey for what is happing with you.

6 months on from my update before.

DD quickly moved down from her Level 2 course to level 1as the L2 was too much in her anxious state. We then applied for an EHCP for her, they quickly agreed to assess and the plan was finalised in Feb.

DD is slowly but slowly improving She has an 80% attendance but is keeping up with the course. She is still anxious about lots of things but will buy and eat college food, and go a few more places out of college.

For those in the depths

• it will get better
  
• take off pressure, GCSEs can be circumnavigated
  
• if you can go private to get help then do, anti depressants & therapy combined have been a game changer for DD
  
• try to do self care, call in all your friends to help you, easier said than done
  

PenorPencil did you apply for an EHCNA? Online schooling and more therapy than is normally available on the NHS can be included in EHCPs.

Blueydragon are the LA providing alternative education while DD cannot attend school full time? Also, if you haven’t already apply for an EHCNA - IPSEA have a model letter you can use on their website.

Well here we are, and DS still has not gone back into school since the start of the academic year. The LA have put no tuition in place, despite a medical letter; just saying that they cannot get a provider. We sourced an online tuition company (not Interhigh, but similar) and they said as they, the LA have not done due diligence on them they can´t use them.

Since the last time I was on here we have paid for private Ed Psych, SALT and OT reports and waiting for private Social worker assessment. Appeal against B,F and I of the EHCP has gone in via lawyer and we go to tribunal in July over lack of interim provision as well. The whole thing is costing an absolute fortune.

Thanks for all the support and advice on here. Just trying to keep DS mental health up. He came out for a family walk last weekend and had a haircut...... Tiny steps!

Oh Macken so sorry to hear how much you are having to fight to get help. No help but lots of empathy

Have you emailed the Director of Children’s Services threatening Judicial Review? If not, do that. If you have contact SOSSEN to see if they can help with a pre-action letter.

Anxiety and panic attacks go hand in hand with high achievers. My son is intelligent, picks things up very quickly and has a low threshold to boredom, boredom can actually bring anxiety and panic on, now he is homeschooled and learning at his own pace he is doing much better.
Boredom and feeling trapped in a very controlled enviroment can contribute towards anxiety and panic, its not always bullying or other issues.
Cahms have advised my son to really think about the enviroment he chooses to go into the future, because not all enviroments will be suitable for him.

Moon I think anxiety can hit children of any ability, and equally miss children of any ability.