Suicidal ASD DD

[catclarks]

I'm desperately looking for advice about my 15 year old DD. To cut a very long story short, she has ASD and last summer finally reached a point where she couldn't cope with life any more. She attempted to take her life in October and was finally admitted into an adolescent mental health unit where she stayed until March. In that time she tried to take her life a number of times. She was discharged with a very robust support package, but unfortunately things have deteriorated rapidly and she was readmitted into the unit on Monday.

The unit have now said that they can no longer offer any help and DD's problems all stem from her ASD and is therefore not a mental health problem. Can't go into all the details, but we are in agreement especially as we all feel being in the unit is causing further distress. However, there is no alternative appropriate provision and we are now faced with the terrifying situation of our very suicidal DD being discharged home. The week before she was readmitted into the unit showed us that we are now unable to cope with her suicidal actions and we had to rely on police to help us keep her from hurting herself.

My question is, does anyone know of any provision out there that will be able to deal with a suicidal ASD young person?

(Posting this in SN Chat too)

OP I'm so sorry this is happening to your family.
I don't really know of anything but I'm watching this thread for info as I have been having a lot of suicide threats from my 11yo he also tries to jump out windows (were in a flat) and grabs knives....I don't know if he's just saying it to hurt me or if he really means to do it but when things get to that level I never know what to do exvept restrain him....but he's growing bigger and stronger there's a limit to what I can physically stop him from doing. I'm praying there is something out there as don't know how much longer I can cope.
I really do hope you get some more support with your daughter soon.
Have you contacted disabled childrens social services about the situation?

Oh OP I’m so sorry to read what your family is going through. I’m really sorry that I don’t have any practical advice but didn’t want to read and run.

As an aside, Autism is in the DSM-5, so it is classed as a mental disorder. So I’m not sure the unit are technically correct in saying they can’t do anything for that reason.

Is she under CAMHS already?

We have a multitude of services involved, including CAMHS, tier 4 CAMHS and social work. She is very complex and we do agree that the unit she is in is the wrong place for her and they can't provide what she needs to recover. It is not an ASD friendly place and she has so many sensory issues it is causing massive meltdowns that we just don't see at home.

It is definitely having a detrimental effect on her mental health. We tried our hardest to keep her out of there as we knew this would happen but the harsh reality is that it was the only way we could keep her alive. Our biggest problem is that social work don't know of anywhere suitable for her either. Basically she is being failed badly by the system, and we really feel we won't be able to keep her alive if she comes home. We acknowledge that everyone is trying their hardest, it's just what she needs just doesn't exist and she is being failed badly by the system.

Can't believe they have the nerve to tell you something so untrue!.. that your daughter has no mental health issues... surely repeated suicide attempts mean a mental health issue, no matter what that stems from?!
Lack of mental health care in this '1st world ' country is disgusting. So sorry OP

There's this link to therapists who help people with Aspergers:-

www.counselling-directory.org.uk/distress-aspergers-syndrome.html

I've ASD & found Dr David Burns CBT books very helpful.

Have you been in contact with NAS to see if they have any suggestions?

Gourmet I hear what you're saying and we have struggled with that thought too. You're right, there is a connection between ASD and her mental health. But essentially DD's difficulties stem from her communication issues, and in order for DD to recover she needs an ASD friendly environment with ASD strategies. Where she is just now just cannot meet those needs, and we have witnessed that. It's been accepted that she is unable to engage in therapy right now and being in the unit is having a devastating impact on her mental health. So we accept that, and we need to move forward with trying to find a more suitable alternative. Therein lies the problem. It doesn't exist.

daisychainer social work are contacting NAS to see if there's anything more they can offer.

I wonder if you could contact a really top expert on Autism for advice?
Have you heard of Tony Attwood? He's pretty much THE Autism expert in the world, he's British but now lives in Australia.
Maybe if you drop him a line he could enable you find some good help in this country...he probably would have contacts.

Here's a link to his website:-

www.tonyattwood.com.au/

Yes, I've got quite a lot of Tony Attwood's books. I managed to get hold of an amazing doctor today who specialises in ASD and mental health issues. Crucially my daughter has agreed to meet with her. Just need to keep her safe until then.

That’s great news. When is the meeting?

Keep doing all you can to keep her safe op. You sound like a very loving Mum who is doing all she can. I have been in a similar position. People struggling like your daughter is, deserve so much better.

Great news!

Gourmet the doctor is coming round on Wednesday. I had a really interesting chat with her yesterday, and as long as DD is willing to talk to her things might just turnaround. I need to hold onto that hope for my sanity.

Betty I'm sorry to hear your child went through the same thing too. I hope they are doing better now. There are so many children and young people being failed by an inadequate system through no fault of their own and it breaks my heart.

It wasnt my child. It was my Mum.

I really feel for you cat.

My dd is 13 and has complex asd and severe anxiety and mental health needs.

I understand completely the need for an asd specific MH provision and I really don't know if they exist.

Have you considered pushing for a bespoke package to support your DD at home? A social care assessment should show maximum need as there have been a number of suicide attempts . If mainstream mental health services are saying they can't meet her needs then there is immediate need for a 24 of package of support.

My dd cannot access therapy in a typical sense and needs a totally integrated approach - education, care and mental health support. We have some of this in place via her ehcp and are pushing for a more comprehensive package of support involving social care as well.

My dd couldn't cope with being away from home so residential school is not an option for us.

There are asd specific schools that specialise in MH. Have a look at the Cambian group e.g. Grately House. I know of some young people who have been funded for additional support at residential specialist schools.

Oh that sounds great OP, I'll have my fingers crossed for you for Wednesday