Camhs appointment bought forward............ it's really happening

[youarewinning]

to this Thursday.

OK, it's soon and hit me very hard this is actually happening but he's struggled this holiday more than ever and spends most days in tears whenever he's with friends.

I just want someone, anyone, to understand DS and help him.

Any advice before I go?

Take notes with you so you don't forget anything & demand to know what the next steps are.
We had our 1st CAMHs last week & it just felt unproductive & was given no next steps, feedback advice etc. They were supposed to ring me today after speaking to someone to get some advice but it never happened.
Hope yours is better.

Yes take notes and a list of your concerns. Anything you have written down take. Any questions you want to ask write them down so you don't forget.

Hally I felt like that after the first appointment but I got given some more and they have been much much better. Lots of listening from them and advice is good so far. They seem to be really understanding what I am saying without me having to justify it iyswim.

Have already checked DS can remain in waiting area playing on my iphone!. He's 9 next week so can manage that.

Have started my list but appointment wasn't for another month and I am finishing assignment at the same time. Think I may have to email myself my word document, take my iphone in and leave something else for DS to do!

The appointment is with a clinical psychologist - is this the norm?

Also do I tell them what I want/think or wait and see what they suggest? Can I ask about timescales for next steps? I don't want to sound pushy but if they say they'll observe him at school I'd like to know if they mean September or next July

Yes I asked. I like to know where I am so that if people slip I can nag them to sort it out!

UPDATE:

Met with clinical psychologist today at Camhs. DS has been referred for ASD assessment and basically she said ASD but needs to assess to confirm. Told me to get GP to refer to SALT as will be quicker than her referral.

Mixed thoughts but I know its positive in the long run.

Oh and said they wouldn't be specifically doing any observations of him at school etc atm as they have all the information and I painted a clear picture.
She could see exactly what I was describing in him when there.

She also asked if I'd been on internet and was there anything I thought his difficulties pointed to. I did say no, but then again I work in special ed, and I'm a team teach trainer for country - so train clinical pyschs! - and she laughed and said obviously I knew what I was doing. I did say I'd always though he has AS. She said he definatitly meets the criteria on paper! She then asked what I wanted and I said DX because I had gone as far as I could supporting him and he needs something on paper to explain his difficulties especially when he gets to secondary ed. I did say especially as statements are hard to come by and he was definitely mainstream ed, which she agreed.

I guess as she said ASD and assessment required to confirm we have what I see on described as a working diagnosis?