Boy, do I need some advice.

[MagicMountain]

I have had some fabulous help with speech and dyslexia issues on here and I would be really grateful if anyone can help me again.

DS2 (6.6) has just been referred for a CAHMS appointment at the suggestion of his teacher.

He has had SALT intervention over a period of 2 years to deal with his somewhat quirky speech (Initial Consonant Deletion). This ended about 6 months ago and worked wonderfully.

We then found out that it wasn't just speech that was a problem but also processing language. We arranged for a specialist SALT to see him--he doesn't have dyslexia but problems that seem to overlap with dyslexia and we were recommended a dyslexia tutor who seems to be really helping.

The teacher who suggested a CAHMS appointment is very concerned about his anxiety levels. He can get very stressed/distressed at school about little things and can be inconsolable when this happens (he retreats, won't talk about whatever has triggered his upset and so on). Usually it is to do with order/disorder (losing something), the teacher playing a game and pretending she was confused about something basic, or sometimes because he has thought of something bad or scary and can't get it out of his head.

The other concern is his anxiety when it comes to other children, making friends, talking to them (I put this down to the effects of his past speech problems but now I am wondering if that is the whole story).

His teacher and the SALT have both used the term literal to describe him (again, I thought that was related to language processing). He can be quite particular about routines, about his toys and he seems to zone out sometimes and not hear me (can't entirely blame him for that!). Has had his eyesight and hearing tested and no problems there.

I'm sorry this is long but I would so appreciate your input. I have read lots of the posts on mumsnet and followed through the various links (triads and so on).

Do you think this sounds like it might be in any way ASD related? Are there particular things I should ask the CAHMS persons (we are seeing a specialist mental health nurse, apparently). I am a bit befuddled--I don't know whether I have lost the plot and am seeing things that aren't there or even if the teacher has seen it herself and that is why she suggested the referral.

Thank you.

Have not seen the GP. The Senco is involvedhe goes to a nurture room because they think he is better able to interact in a smaller group. He also has someone to talk to who deals with emotional literacyhe goes to her if he gets overwhelmed.

I have read lots of posts about cahms--a varied service, to say the least and beyond frustrating.

I expected a long wait but we have an appointment already for later on in the week. Is the GP the person to get us to a developmental paediatricion?

*paediatrician.

Spelling gone to pot!

i think they might be suspecting aspergers if they are using the term 'literal', it can be a shorthand way of suggesting spectrum-type behaviours without using the actual words, and the referral seems to be what you would expect with that sort of concern tbh. (but may also be the case for processing difficulties... not in my experience though, but areas do vary)

in some areas it seem to be camhs that deals with the diagnostic stuff for as/asd rather than developmental paed, but it is a question you should be asking now that you have a wider view of potential difficulties.

when is your appointment?

what sort of realtionship do you have with your slt? if you said 'do you suspect as/asd?' would she give you an honest answer? often professionals are reluctant to discuss potential concerns with parents - either because they are specifically barred from doing so locally (it has to be paed or whoever) or because they are concerned about parent's reaction.

if you have a good relationship and value her opinion, i would ask. would you be comfortable asking school?

Madwoman, yes, the word 'literal' made me wonder whether they were hinting at something to see if I picked up the cue.

I wouldn't have asked his original SALT (it was difficult enough pinning her down with a diagnosis of his speech problems!). It was the SALT/dyslexia specialist who used the word literal, as did his teacher.

I know it sounds ludicrous but I was going to ask his teacher when she suggested the CAHMS referral but lost my nerve, partly because I am not sure of my ground but also, to be honest, I thought I might cry if she said it had crossed her mind (bit ostrichy, I know).

Lenin. It didn't occur to me I might get pingponged between two sets of professionals. I will be wary now, thank you.

I will try to write it down.

The appointment is on Friday.

They haven't asked to see DS. Is that odd? Or pretty standard for a first meeting?

I would hate to talk about DS under those circumstances, too. What you say makes sense.

I'd better write it down because I'll fumble it otherwise.

I can see how getting a diagnosis would be helpful, or the rational part of me can.

our first appt with psych was parents only. then 3 assessment appointments with ds, then a further parents only session to go over results. they had some info and school-based assessments too.

should add we aren't at the end of that process yet...

This might take some time then. How long has it taken so far?

I think we can muster a fair bit of paperwork The teacher is lovely and I think will help fill in some gaps.

The nurture/rainbow room is really good, Lenin. A very relaxed space.

I don't know about school action, Lenin. He has an IEP and I think, the TA helps him (but not as a regular part of his routine).

The school is lovely and the teacher seems very thoughtful. Perhaps I should ask her ahead of the meeting about this but then again, perhaps she won't be able to say what she really thinks except in a roundabout way.

Ten months seems like a long time ... and a lot of appointments.

Aah, I see. Thanks.

I will arrange to meet with the school and perhaps the CAHMs people will have some practical suggestions for how to deal with the anxiety.

I think it all suggests ASD.

If it is ASD then there is very little any one in the NHS can do for his anxiety.

But as you know, there's lots that can be done not on the NHS :)