8 year old with anxiety???

[somanymiles]

Hi all, Would love your wisdom. Since he was three my DS has had "tics", not involuntary - they have ranged from squeaking, to gagging, to non verbal things... now have developed into quite ritualised repetitive behaviours like having to run the tips of his fingers over his bed rails (he is in a top bunk) every night until it feels "right". On its own this would not be a problem necessarily but he has a range of other issues like aggressive behaviour, fussy eater, difficulty with some social interaction, needs predictability and routine. He is often rude, to the point that my partner can't bear it, and argues constantly. This, along with a number of other behaviours led me to having him referred through the school for ASD assessment. This took a good 18 months. The psychologist said not ASD, needs to be referred for anxiety assessment - referred me to CAHMS who sent me a list of websites to look at. I have tried to find a private psychologist to do an assessment but they are all full up. What do I do now? My son's behaviour is gradually improving but I feel totally on my own and just guessing at what to do to manage/improve his behaviour. I live alone and I am divorced from his father. Should I go back to my GP and try again for a referral to CAHMS? Or keep trying to find someone private?

There is a really good book by Caroline Webster Stratton called the Incredible Years - it really helps with challenging behaviour - there is always a reason behind the behaviour and it’s trying to find out what which is the hard part! There are parenting groups that do incredible years courses can ask school or health visitors Or google parenting courses/ help in your area - most are really good and not judgemental! Unfortunately my experience of CAMHS is that it’s broken and if you can afford to get a private assessment from child an adolescent psychiatrist I would! Hope that helps!

I realise how bonkers this sounds, but check out PANDAS. It looks like ASD but is in fact caused by an autoimmune reaction to Strep. Always worse considering. My son had a milder form of this. Did the tics etc come out of the blue?

@cCEL74 I would get a private assessment if I could find someone who would do it! Everyone seems full. But I will check out Incredible Years, thank you.

@Alluserusernamestakenbutthis interesting. I would say the tics have worsened over time - they started with eye rolling and have got more complex in recent years. He does have many of the PANDAS symptoms but not all and his tics are quite consistent so that makes me think it is not PANDAS. Again, I feel like he needs to see someone qualified! But how to do this when even private psychiatrists are full? Hope your DS is all better.

Yes he's all back to normal again, thanks for asking.