Can the process really be this long?

[Jennybeans401]

Dd is in Year 5 and has struggled for a long time, school think she has autism. I'm struggling with her at home, she's burned out from masking all day, needs to stim but won't do it at school and lots of other sensory issues.

I met with the SENCO a few weeks ago and she's scheduled a meeting to fill in all the forms for CAMHS. This will be in two months, it seems a long time. She then said that the school have to do two terms of intervention before they refer for an assessment as may not be needed. If there's still an area of need they can then refer.

There is then another 18 months waiting list!! Surely this can't be right?!

There’s 2 issues, diagnosis and support in school. Separate points, support in school doesn’t require a diagnosis.

In some areas you can self refer, so you wouldn’t need to wait for a meeting with the school. If you can’t in your area you could try to get a GP appointment rather than waiting. It’s a myth 2 cycles of assess/plan/do/review have to be done first, but even if it wasn’t surely the school have been doing this before now.

18 month waiting list itself isn’t long in comparison to many other areas.

You could also look at an OT referral, again in some areas you can self refer but if you can’t your GP will be able to. Sensory OT isn’t commissioned on the NHS in all areas but it’s worth a referral even if your area doesn’t fund it.

The school should be providing support now. If you feel one is needed you can apply for an EHCNA.

Thanks I heard they are doing leho therapy to help with processing instructions and she's able to take in her fidget but really hadn't helped much. She stims at home, school see it as anxiety related but my experience tells me it's about processing as she does it on holiday and is happy whilst doing it.

*lego

They should be providing other support too.

I've wondered whether she can cope in a mainstream school, we have thought about home ed recently again. I feel she is do angry and frustrated after 'holding it all in' at school

If you are at that point you should apply for an EHCNA. On their website IPSEA have a model letter you can use.

Personally, I wouldn’t deregister and EHE. Parents often find it easier to get support in they stay in the system. Crudely you are someone’s problem, whereas it’s too easy for professionals to sweep needs under the carpet otherwise. By EHE the LA will say you are making suitable alternative arrangements thereby relieving them of their duties.

If DD can’t attend full time school the LA have a statutory duty to provide alternative education. And if you get an EHCP if no school is suitable they can provide EOTAS, which is a bespoke package of education delivered outside of a school setting, including at home if that is suitable.

That's great advice, thank you so much, dd has refused school some days and it's been a struggle for us. We tried EHE between schools and it was hard, I felt like it was a very difficult path for us.

@Jennybeans401 In line with what's been said above, unfortunately waiting lists for any kind of support are often uselessly long, so the onus is on parents and schools (to the best of their ability) to support children while they wait.

Sadly, we've spoken to hundreds of parents who have a similar story to tell. We're currently with some academics at the University of Cambridge's Department of Psychiatry to try and develop a tool that will allow schools to identify additional support needs earlier. It's very early stages at the moment but would be more than happy to share our findings with you if you'd like.

@Cogsawhirring that would be really interesting to know, thank you. We are struggling on at the moment.

Seems the hold ups are with CAMHS and trying to get evaluation is taking time up.