Assessment/camhs/choices ... is it all really crap??

[frazzledbutcalm]

Just want a bit of a rant ...
Dd currently being assessed for asd or similar. Had a meeting today which wasn't what I thought ... feel we're being fobbed off, I'm sick of fighting :-(

Thanks polter ... will post properly tonight. Just a quick note for now. Feel like we're being fobbed off, appointment yesterday just wasn't what I was expecting. Gotta run, post tonight and hope for my spirits to be lifted.

To give hope our camhs service has been good in terms of psychologists advice on behaviour - what's been hard is getting the respite we need to have the energy to put plans in place.

Dd had first appointment in September with CYPS to assess for asd. We completed a Conners report and other paperwork. The case just went stale .. we heard nothing, couldn't speak to anyone. Eventually I wrote saying I was going to local MP as 5 months had now passed and we were no further forward. I got a call from CYPS asking if there was further problems? I explained situation and also said dd was not having a good year in year 6 so far, I want something sorted now as she moves to secondary school in September. We then got another phone call with an appointment date for yesterday. We went for the appointment expecting it to be the next stage in assessment. WRONG. We are now in 'partnership' (basically counselling) to give dd 6 weeks counselling sessions to help her cope with her anxiety....??? I queried why, what's happening re assessment etc. I was told she could see the conners report was in, doesn't know results, she was here to help with anxiety. Nothing to do with assessment in my view!?! She talked like anxiety was dd only problem, no matter what I said she just didn't seem to listen. Just explained how anxiety would have been triggered initially and then it's a catch 22 situation that dd can't get out of. I said she was fine til she started nursery aged 3. But no, dd needs help and counselling without myself and dh to sort through her anxiety problems. I detailed dd other many struggles that point to asd, but no, her job was anxiety counsellor. I just feel like it was a complete waste of time, she just basically treated dd like she only had this 1 anxiety problem in her life.

They drive you bonkers dont they!

There are still so many Proffs who miss Asd in girl.

The best thing I can suggest is that you keep a diary of all her issues/difficulties, what causes them (if you know) and how you deal with them.

Also do loads of reading about girls with Asd and take some articles/books with you to the next appointment, either highlight the relevant bits or I stuck post it notes all over mine where the information matched Dd3.

This may have the effect of making them think you are an over zealous parent, or it may force them to listen to you. I couldnt say which way your so called Proffs would go but for me it worked and we git pushed through the CAMHS system within a year.

Good luck and hang in there

Thanks Ineed
It's just so frustrating that we're in the system but then are given a random appointment that doesn't fit what we're there for. The woman talked like I was making a big fuss, dd was fine, and made me feel all at fault. She asked "what will you do if the conners comes back saying no autism?" in a way that sounded and felt like she'd already made her own mind up even though she'd never even met dd!

Tbh if they are offering help with anxiety I would accept as this is the biggest problem with my ds's. Yes. it is due to their ASD but they still need to learn coping strategies to function in the real world. Of course you need to continue in the diagnostic pathway as well but we found it only resulted in a piece of paper and a discharge from the service. It is practical help children like ours need and it is important to get help before they get so bad that they can not access it.

Thanks One ... I agree, I'm happy for the help with anxiety, I just feel let down as is seems dd was only referred for this following one of my conversations to complain about the lack of further assessment. The lady just seemed oblivious to dd other problems and just kept banging on about dd not having asd. Her question to me was "well what will you do if the conners comes back negative, no asd dx"
I'm not getting dd assessed to have a dx of asd, I'm getting her assessed as I feel something's not right. She talked as though I wanted dd to have asd. Grrrr. The way she talked about dd anxiety pattern - dd first episode of a stressful situation would have led to her not being able to cope, then each stressful situation after that would be a catch 22 pattern. I just can't see how at the age of just turned 3 she would find something so stressful that it damaged her thinking forever?? But that doesn't explain dd oddities as a baby/toddler. The lady couldn't/wouldn't understand where I was coming from.
I'm happy for help with anxiety. I'm not happy with the anxiety not being linked to anything or further problems not being looked into. We have an appointment next week where we'll find out the results of the conners report. According to the lady, this will say either yes or no to asd ... is that right? Surely dd would have to be assessed by someone first, an actual person, not just a form for me to complete?
I get confused/bewildered when everyone on here talks about OT, EdPsyc, and all other bodies where their children get help/assessment. I can't seem to access any of this help .. I must be going wrong somewhere.