Ds being referred.

[Misspixietrix]

Hi I posted on the other one and then saw the message about posting under the children's section. I've had a niggling feeling about ds for a while and after many episodes at school with spectacular meltdowns. SENs asked for GP visit to rule out anything else behaviour wise. GP was very understanding sat Ds down and spoke to him and assessed his speach level too (he's under SALT and has been put forward for Intensive Speach Therapy but as with everything there's a waiting list. Triggers range from anything of his normal routine being slightly different and his longest meltdown has lasted an hour at the Headteacher :( the only person that seems able to calm him down is his class TA or me but with him needing to adjust they tell me to go its fine they will handle it and then I'm told they really struggle. His latest episode was when he ran off from class after a last minute change to the class schedule. He bangs his head repeatedly when trying to calm down/self soothe when frustrated and or chews on the back of his hand like crazy. He's very sensitive to loud noises too. GP also said he don't think Ds can hear properly neither so have to chase up his school health review to see if hearing test was done then. My question is what should I expect from the referral. Do they visit you at home and what sort of tests do they do?

Bump.

We were in your situation two years ago with both ds1 and ds2.

It might be a good idea to find where the GP is referring you son to. It may be CAMHS, Community Paediatrician and in your case Audiology as there is a question mark over his hearing. They may want to do the hearing test first to rule out this being a cause but given the time it takes for the other services to get moving I would push for a referral to these now as well.

My son's can have difficulty processing information when they are stressed which I guess could be misconstrued as a hearing issue.

Expect a long wait for whichever service you are referred to but if you nag them with phone calls it does help to speed up the process. It is also worth doing as they have been known to 'lose' the referral.

You could also ask school to refer to an educational psychologist as they may also be able to make suggestions as to how to reduce anxiety at school. It is also worth asking them to implement strategies for autistic children even prior to further assessment as it is unlikely to do any harm and could well help.

OneInEight thankyou for replying. I'm not sure as He just said that he will be referring to the community paeditrician (I did some snooping and found she's actually based at a different GPs not very far from here apparently). He wants the Head to chase up his 5yr check for the hearing results there before he refers Ds on for another hearing test. He had a good chat with him (well as much as you can get out of him as his speach is very delayed) and gave him a thorough checkover. Said FT school must be very hard for him with his language issues. He mentioned his eardrums looked dull and can indicate he struggles with his hearing. I've gone backwards and forwards with the School (and some other parents who not helpfully try and assist mid meltdown) because well you know, he's just Naughty. . His behaviour once in class is completely different and the class once he's settled but still very withdrawn and teacher wrote the GP a lovely letter which had me in tears. I didn't know half the stuff he struggles with :( I suppose it's because I've fought this long for him I'm apprehensive that once he sees the community paed it will be dismissed again. I've tried to explain to the School seeing it from Ds's eyes she finds large groups overwhelming so him shutting down/withdrawing is his coping mechanism. Even the SALT stated last time hes a different child on a 1-1 basis. Sorry if I'm rambling and thanks for your advice. Will most definetely keep on their toes.

*he not she.

hi there, oh poor poppet - community paediatrician should get to bottom of it - push hard for quick appointment date - call them everyday and ask if there have been any cancellations you can take. Unlikely they will come to you, you will go to local HC for this assessment, best to keep a behaviour diary and write all the issues down and what the triggers are for his behaviour, its fairly obvious hes not just naughty - hes frustrated and unable to express himself in any other way. its interesting about him not likeing loud noises (or large groups which are noisy) and being good 121 - agree with oneineight - get an Ed Psych referral too. If your GP is resistant you are entitled to second opinion if you are not getting what you want re referrals. Time is precious pursue these referrals like a mad dog and if you are able to see an Ed Psych for an assessment by paying for it privately, it will defo be worth the money.... tx

ToniQueensPark thankyou. I'm glad I pushed it as kept getting told the naughty scenario. A friend told me that they get funding for each statemented child for every term so presumably that is why they always try and fob you off so it doesn't look like they're letting anyone through if that makes sense? Weirdly enough. Same SENs today said they're glad ds has got referral as he will now get the right help and support. How would I go about sorting out a private Ed Psych please? Is there a list somewhere?

re EP just google it - or ask on here - better to get someone recommended as you need a good one - some of them are right quacks! The EP our LA used to assess our DS completely misdiagnosed and we are now having to go to tribunal to get it removed from the Statement. Trust your instincts - you know best - you are living with your child - if you are not happy with any assessment, make sure you contest it immediately is my advice.

Thankyou. I've googled it but there only seems to be one for our area. Don't know I'd that's a good thing or a bad thing!

I'd really push for a referral from your GP as well bcz the wait might not be so long. the school clearly has some concerns too so GP can't ignore speech issues, issues with change, issues with loud noises, banging head repeatedly, teachers struggling with him, the list is quite long - GP has said eardrums look dull, if ds not hearing properly /missing part of speech its insanely irritating, he will be confused and feeling excluded and that's why he's lashing out, you never know it could just be grommets or something, but reading all above again sounds like the hearing might be the core of it and sometimes hearing issues can make kids exhibit symptoms that mimic asd so the other stuff could improve if the hearing issue is dealt with first, so I'd put that at the top of the list to get checked out, what's the point GP referring for speech therapy if ears haven't been checked..doesn't make any sense! go back in and say you want audiology referral ASAP and insist politely but firmly and don't leave until you get it.

.....See thread called 'hearing test' as has some suggestions about getting referred ...

It is half term here so not much I can do school end. I have tried where they are based and there is no answer but will look at the link. I generally think HT is really very helpful so trust her when she says they are chasing it up and there's no need for me to do anything. But its not her I don't trust iykwim? Thanks Toni will look at thread.