Child Psychologist or Ed. Psychologist? - and how to find a good one!

[Donki]

DS Yr6 has a (new) diagnosis of ASP (Aspergers) from CAMHS. He does not have a statement. In terms of academic attainment, he is above average except for literacy (writing) where he is a 2c.
He is below the 4th centile for writing speed, and cannot both write and think about what he is writing. This has had a huge effect on his perception of his ability - and he is quite anxious about school. Getting him back to school after the summer was difficult - and I dread transition to secondary.

DS is addicted to Minecraft - and also relies on it when very anxious. He has the most enormous tantrums when we apply (fairly liberal) time limits to his Minecraft times.

I don't know if I need to ask for a statutory assessment. Plus we could do with some help in managing his anxiety/behaviour. I think asking a Child Psych or an Ed Psych to assess P independently, and for some help, is probably the next step. But which? And how do I find a good one?

hi, im not an expert but I would think an ed Pysch would probably be most useful in terms of statementing and assessing issues related to education.

So how do I find a good independent Ed Psych in West/North Yorkshire?

Hi, my ds is also above average for most things but has a writing age of 6 . He is currently being assessed for asd but the poor writing skills is said to be down to his diagnosis of dyspraxia. He also had some cbt at cahms for anxiety. No advice about the ed psych though , we have never seen one.

Sorry forgot to add, also very into minecraft and gaming .

CAMHS helpfully said "google Aspergers and CBT" when DS became near suicidal with anxiety over school...

I would be applying for a statement now from the LEA as your son will soon be going to secondary school (that may also trigger EP involvement). Such places can be unforgiving in particular if the child's additional needs are not being met.

Presumably his current school have never requested an EP to see your son.

Personally I would go for EP, especially if most of the anxiety stems from school environment. They are not experts in anxiety, however Child Psych are not experts in education. The key in my opinion is getting strategies and support in place in school and the anxiety with lesson with appropriate support.

I found CAMHS (Child Psych) to be helpful in establishing that ds's anxiety stems from school environment, but trying to get them to make educational recommendations is like getting blood from a stone. Although education is not their 'remit' and a EP is better suited.

Unlike claw we did find that CAMHS were willing to make general educational recommendations (although could not go as far as to recommend an actual school).

Agree with Attila that applying for a statement should trigger EP involvement - it certainly did in my sons case. She did two home visits to talk to us, school observation, talk with teachers and a series of tests for ds1. ds2 refused to co-operate with the tests as he had had enough of professionals by then but she still managed to produce a pretty decent report.

CAMHS were willing to recommend what might be helpful for ds, things such as a home/school contact book to monitor anxiety and that he will need continued support with x, y and z etc. However it wasn't quantified or specified and was all a bit vague.

EP was able to recommend that ds would need 1:1 support, for x amount of hours a day, to help with x, y, z and how progress should be monitored etc.

Hi Donki,

An Educational Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist specialising in children and families would be able to help. An EP may be more confident in addressing school related issues and recommending in-school support.

Just a quick note of caution- psychologists working with children may describe themselves as 'child psychologists' but this is not a protected term, meaning that anyone, whatever their training can call themselves a child psychologist. You need to look for a Registered Educational Psychologist or Registered Clinical Psychologist and can check their name on the HCPC register.

To find a good private psychologist you can look at the British Psychological Society 'Find a Psychologist' search or search the Association of Child Psychologist in Private Practice website, which has a postcode search.

Thank you all.

CAMHS wrote to my school, after the AS diagnosis and suggested an EP assess. School refused, but I pushed.
Always better to get nhs/county person to do it, if you can. Every doctor, school , SA completely refutes any private diagnosis/assessment you have had done. Just because they can. They do.
So its always best to get it all through the system, if you POSSIBLY can.