My DD has been on the CAMHS waiting list for 51 weeks. Now what?

[WhatToDoNowThenNow]

As the title says, 51 weeks of waiting on the CAMHS list; she has not had a first appointment yet. DD has suspected ASD and this was the point of the referral.

I’m aware there will be priority emergencies taking appointments and this is fine.

If DD ever gets to the top of the list , what will happen next? If it is agreed she will go on to the ASC pathway, do we start again on a whole new never ending waiting list? Or does assessment start right away?

I went private for the diagnosis in the hope that they would be seen quicker by CAMHS, we're still waiting 20 months later. Even a near fatal suicide attempt hasn't got them seen.

@bellac11 Sorry I’m not making much sense, the process is really confusing to me.
@usernamenotaccepted has summed up better than me how it works in my area.

@usernamenotaccepted Once transferred from CAMHS to the ASD pathway, do you start again on a list? Is this usually months or years?

I think the process is deliberately confusing to be honest. Also not helped by regional differences.

I can mean that yes, OP, depending on what your local arrangements are.

To answer the other part of your question I don't know of any area that is in a position to assess quickly which is why private practices are seeing higher numbers of requests (speaking from my knowledge of my area).

@WhatToDoNowThenNow every area will be slightly different. So with the greatest sympathy you probably won’t get much assistance here as every region is different and also process changes.

I know in my area they are looking at options to contract more to the private sector to try and shorten waitlists.

Email your CAMHS asking for (a) an estimate of when you will be seen and (b) what will the first appointment entail.

In my area it is a 2 year waiting list to be seen for an ASD assessment and 3 years for ADHD. That is for a first appointment. Round here first appointment is a screening. It use to be for ADHD you had to go on a parenting course before they would formally screen for ADHD. You then get referred for a formal assessment which is around 3 - 6 months later.