Talk me through the process re CAMHS referral

[MrsTrellisOfSouthWales]

DC1 (8) has always been a little different, tbh most of his odd behaviour has been normalised to us, his reactions are predictable so avoiding them dictates how/what/when we do everything. I've always asked nursery/school if they think there is an issue and no one has... except his report this term was awful about his behaviour, and seeing his meltdowns and his teacher's workrounds written in black and white was shocking. So I met with his lovely teacher who said that he is "unique" in how he processes/behaves/reacts, she's not seen anyone like him in her last few years teaching and could I talk to our GP about a referral to CAMHS.

I'm not sure whether it's some kind of diagnosis or 'just' help he needs - or indeed if CAMHS are the right people to go to?

I'm in Surrey and the Surrey CAMHS website says teachers can refer - can I ask the SENCO to do so or will it be quicker with the GP?

What are the waiting lists like and is there any way of doing something with BUPA?

Thank you.

Watching with interest my ds 4 has unique traits but nothing as been noted in pre-school I guess thats just who he is. I expect that when he starts school in september he will be referred to CAHMS too.

Go to your GP. We have just waited three months for CAMHS to tell us they won't accept referrals from school. Ridiculous when the first thing the GP wanted was all the information from school. Hopefully, we will have better luck this time round. My boys have also been having major meltdowns at school and whilst the school have been really helpful we need some outside help I think.

GP appointment made. Unfortunately have to take all DC with me, and not sure how DS is going to take it - usually he'd try to hide under the chair but I guess that in this case, it will go to make our point. And of course there's no one in school over the holidays to provide any information.

I had no idea about PDA but having just googled... Oooh, yes. Jekyll and Hyde. Lots of bells there.

So what am I asking the GP for exactly- referral to a paed? Or CAMHS?

Seeing his HT tomorrow as well.

we were told ed psych or gp, gp refered us to camhs in the end.