Autism/ OCD where on earth do I get treatment for my dd at 18?

[RadpberryR1pple]

Suspect he’ll be booted out of cahms. Autism diagnosis started but not finished. Therapist has said he has OCD which is difficult to treat with autism. He may not meet the criteria for adult but he’s had an awful year, not in school at all, suicidal thoughts due to intrusive thoughts he finds unbearable, vulnerable,on meds for anxiety and depression….

CBT mentioned with Talkworks but read CBT not that successful with autism. Not had his cahms counsellor for long and finally opening up so v frustrating treatment will stop just because of age. Been really messed around by cahms. I could cry, don’t know how we’re going to help him.

It isn't fair unless you can afford to pay it falls to you.
I'm an uneducated unqualified OT, psychologist and play therapist in this house.

CBT mentioned with Talkworks but read CBT not that successful with autism.
Not necessarily true. My Nephew has had counselling with a cbt behavioural therapist it really helped give him tools he was in a bad place.

You don't treat autism, you find ways to cope, to manage, to get through.

We are all different, what does he need help with?

It’s not the autism that needs treating but the chronic intrusive thoughts which cause anxiety and depression.

His diagnosis won’t even be done before he leaves cahms. It’s such a mess and so shit. Haven’t a clue what we’re supposed to do.

Go to your GP, op. There’s an adult pathway for autism and he can be referred to that. DBT might be better therapy, it’s not so frilly (sorry can’t think of a better description!). Adult mental health team referral from gp, too, to help with intrusive thoughts, ocd etc. They might want to wait till diagnosis is done before doing anything but may be able to signpost to suitable interim support. Will he definitely get finished from CAMHS at 18 on the dot? Might be worth approaching them for a discretionary extension. Someone I worked with once was allowed to stay till 19.
Best of luck op, it is very hard. Don’t forget to look after you, too.

If DS is partway through an ASD assessment CAMHS should not discharge or transfer to adult care until it has been completed.

If DS needs ongoing mental health care by adult services CAMHS can refer, they should, in theory, keep DS on their books until he has transitioned.

Does DS have an EHCP? If not you should apply for one, mental health therapies can be included in them.

www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/
You can self refer at 16 through this free NHS service. For our area DD spoke to someone within a few weeks of booking a consultation for OCD. Now on waiting list for CBT but also doing a course of webinars in the meantime.

CBT has worked wonders for my ASD daughter. We've paid private for it. Worth every penny

I have OCD. Serotonin enhancers are recommended with OCD to help the person work with therapy so worth considering these.

My DD is 18 has severe OCD - get onto OCD Action or OCD UK helplines and they'll tell you where the nearest service is in your area and how to access it. As we are near London she's under the Maudsley who also have an autism service too but I agree that the OCD is the issue because that is not something you can adapt to or cope with without help.

In Ireland we have an equally atrocious mental health system but there are several helpful charities that offer counselling and therapy for people who are struggling but are deemed not severe enough for camhs or amhs. I would also recommend getting referred to your gp to adult mhs if at all possible. Keep fighting for your son and dont give up. Make sure to take care of your own mental health through this as I know it can be super tough when a loved one is struggling with their mental health. Autism diagnoses tend to be quite quick so hopefully that will come through. Honestly rooting for you, I hope you and your son get the help needed.