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Got Camhs referral - yay!!! Please help with what information to present......

37 replies

youarewinning · 16/06/2013 22:44

I feel I've lost all sense of normality Wink

DS is 8yo, year 4.

I had to fight for the referral, school felt EP not right as even though he's on SA thats for literacy problems and his main ones are social.
They suggested get GP to refer as may be quicker, GP referred to Community Developmental pead, they turned down referral and so GP referred to Camhs. They also refused referral and were just about to refer back to GP for the EP when I spoke to them. (Yes, sadly you do need to fight).
I said I knew EP wasn't the correct service (questioned why and I explained it wasn't a school issue and I work in education so know EP role). I was told to email her (the receptionist) said she'd get clinician to look at it and review.

Get the feeling they were trying to placate me - however the clinician looked at my brief email, accepted referral immediately and have given us an appointment in 10 weeks. Grin

Now, what I'm struggling with is things that many children may struggle with, behaviours other DC's may show etc that do show DS's social anxieties, but that may be developmental. I don't want to go in with an exaggerated looking list that makes them think I'm a loon. Grin

For example:

DS never really had an afternoon nap from a young age - about 15 months. He just could not relax into a nap, especially when there was noise outside/ within nursery etc. He did however sleep well at night. He would sleep during the day if he was still (not much!) and just dropped off. Usually any daytime napping was done in car/pushchair - once asleep he would be for up to 4 hours! During his toddler years I use to describe him as 'tazmanian devil on speed!'

DS would point blank refuse to sit within a group on the carpet, in the hall. He would be quite forceful and argumentative Blush about not coming closer to the group. The more his teacher tried to 'encourage him to sit in the middle' the more he'd misbehave.

DS did not, and still cannot really walk along a road. He has to be a train, car, lorry, make all the noises, be 2 steps ahead or behind you. Just walking, calmly, talking is beyond him. He will now hold my hand for short periods before he's jiggering around and making noises. The same with sitting still - he just cannot sit still in silence. He's never been naughty and won't run off, but constantly needs to be reminded to walk iyswim?

His social difficulties are easy to explain - no empathy, lack of ability to communicate through simple 2 way conversation, very organised in play - cannot just play tag, throw a ball without exhausting all the rules and possible variations of the rules and what to do in that circumstance. Quite often doesn't say anything if he cannot answer a question, cannot start a conversation unless it's about minecraft! and very much imitates his peers behaviour and what they say. Doesn't really get humour and if he finds something funny, or more if someone laughs at something he does he repeats it until its no longer funny - and can't understand why its no longer amusing. Meddles continuosly in what other children are doing in an attempt to make friends/ join in. Doesn't pick up on the fact he's annoying them, they aren't responding to him etc. There's been a few incidents lately where DS has bitten children. Blush Violence is just not like him and because he's struggling so much socially he now has a seperate break with a chosen buddy in the courtyard or library.

So what should I be listing for Camhs? Is it a list of milstones DS reached early/late? (walked early/ spoke late) or is it actually things I think show what his difficulties are?

Will they ask me specific questions based on the information I emailed? I get the feeling I get 1 shot at outlining my case and getting support for DS and as he's getting more and more anxious, tearful and generally not sleeping as well I know I HAVE to get it right.

Any support, advice, information will be most grateful right now. You'd thinking finally getting a referral I'd be releived but I just feel more lost. Sad

OP posts:
youarewinning · 24/06/2013 21:10

I never did Skip as started 2007 and school swapped to TT that year.

I've been really scrutinising my parenting and DS' behaviour recently. I realise I do use a lot of ASD type techniques with him - probably why he responds well in some situations and why he struggles ssoooooooo much if I'm not there.

This evening he did a music concert at school, did really well and sat fairly still for the hour. Afterwards all the other children stood chatting and he was jumping up and down flapping and going outside to run around. He just finds it so hard - bless!

OP posts:
blueeyedmonster · 24/06/2013 21:34

Yeah ours changed then too. I started in 2000. Having a break while the baby is still here but will go back (fc) when she goes to school (I clean there atm to keep my foot in the door).

Awww sounds like he did fab! I use them here too. They don't always work though which is why i'm at a loss!

JoyMachine · 24/06/2013 23:09

Hi- we had a pre-appointment questionnaire from CAMHS, which we completed before we went for the initial appointment.
I also made a huuuuuuuge list of all the things I could relevant to our DD's development, and significant life events (obviously depends what your referral is for!)
They read that all, and asked us loads of questions, I felt they were really thorough, though I suppose that is down to who you get on the day.

youarewinning · 25/06/2013 06:30

thanks joy

OP posts:
blueeyedmonster · 29/06/2013 21:38

youare I just wanted to let you know that despite me feeling down after the camhs app that they are going to help with his explosive behaviour. Need to call them Monday!

youarewinning · 30/06/2013 07:06

Yay Grin That's a positive start.

I've had my appointment letter through - it is a choices meeting.

OP posts:
blueeyedmonster · 30/06/2013 20:10

Yep that's what they do first then they go off and talk to people and decide where to go from there

blueeyedmonster · 30/06/2013 20:16

I'm kind of looking forward to calling her tomorrow now. I'm just glad of some help!

youarewinning · 30/06/2013 20:40

I'll check back tomorrow for an update.

OP posts:
blueeyedmonster · 01/07/2013 20:49

Well she has booked me in on 3 sessions there to help me manage his explosiveness and him hurting himself. Wants to talk to me about a sort of advanced parenting ccourse to build on what I already know (i think they're clutching at straws with this tbh).

I asked to be referred for assessment. I suppose at least I will hopefully get some strategies that work with his violence towards us and himself which is urgent.

youarewinning · 01/07/2013 21:20

I have been told Camhs are very kken on the parenting course route first. Well done for accepting that and also for pushing for what you really want/need. I hope you get what you deserve.

OP posts:
blueeyedmonster · 02/07/2013 11:47

Thank you. So do I. I had heard the same about parenting courses. Usually they'd make you do a triple p thing round here but they said that I need something to "build on what I already know" rather than start from the beginning. It seems to be pretty standard to make people do a parenting course which is a pain. In all honesty I don't want to do one as I can't see how it will help but i'll jump through the hoops if they are going to help us.

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