The challenging behavioural team refused dd1!

[lisad123]

We are having major problems with dd1 who has a dx of autism. She has major anxiety issues which when bad means she refuses to leave the house, eat, cries all the time and can't sleep. It's killing me seeing her so low and upset.
Her pead referred her to challenging behavioural team as they deal only with children with asd and ld. They have written back and are refusing to take her! They have suggested camhs. Camhs won't take her as it's not a mh issue it's a Asd issue.
Why the hell can't someone just help! We have been doing horse therapy, massage, thought diary and now feely sensory bags. I'm out of idea and no real clue if I'm doing right thing.

Pead discharged us at last meeting!
Help

Why have they refused to see her if they deal with children with ASD?

I think you need to ring the pead and explain what's happened (she'll have a copy of the refusal letter) and get her to apply pressure to both CAMHs and CBT to see your DD.

Clearly CAMHS have acknowkedged that your DD has issues that need dealing with. The difficulty is 2 departments arguing between them as to who should try and help (or shouldn't help!!). I assume your paed was community/developmental and not acute hospital based. As far as I know all these services come under the umberella of PCT Community Health. File a complaint to them and get them to decide who should be helping you and your DD

I think many challenging behaviour teams deal more with physical behaviours. They may not have the specialism to help someone high functioning. Have you told CAMHS? They might be able to help. Or a clinical psych? I know they have been the port of call for friend's with kids with similar issues.

It's the same in my area.. the challenging behaviour team only see children with autism and severe learning difficulties and the challenging behaviour tends to be more of the 'attacks everyone and batters his head on the floor for hours type' rather than anxiety etc.

We had the refusal too (my son has moderate LDs and autism) as did my friend. I gave up but my friend successfully argued with CAHMS that it was a MH issued CAUSED by her autism and is now receiving help..so it might be worth some letter of complaint and see where it takes you. It is so frustrating!

the anxiety in itself is a MH issue surely
does she have meds for the anxiety? Perhaps CAMHS could help with that.

The Autistic behavioral unit at the maudlsey, camberwell, london have had fantastic success with my friend's son's anxiety related issues. A referral to this mob would sort you out as they REALLY know what they are doing.

Failing that call the NAS and see what's thrown up by their database. My lad is seeing an independent charity that has a therapist with the required expertise, (unlike my PCT).

Trouble is neither department may actually have anyone on staff with the skill set to help. Better they are honest than someone has a go without the right skills and makes things worse (seen that happen!).