Proposed statement - can it include CBT?

[ToffeeWhirl]

Ds1 has responded well to CBT to overcome anxiety issues in the past and his private diagnosis for ASD states that he should have access to 'on-going CBT top ups' to support him through school. The proposed statement has written, in Part 6 - Non-educational Provision': 'Continued monitoring and input as appropriate by relevant medical professionals and the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service'.

The thing is, CAMHS are crap. We were told that, at the first sign of DS1 going downhill, he would get access to CBT. I contacted them in December 2013 to warn them that he needed help and we are still waiting. When I last saw them, they laughed at my assertion that he needed more CBT and said, "That's not how CAMHS works!"

Is it feasible for me to ask the LEA to fund private CBT instead of relying on CAMHS? Because that's what DS1 needs.

Nobody asked for CBT on a statement?

You would have to get it specified in part 3 Special Education Provision. I have never heard of this happening but there isn't any intrinsic reason why it shouldn't. LA are likely to fight you tooth and nail though.

Of course it is what your ds needs and it will affect his education in a major way if he doesn't get it but LA are likely to say that it is a NHS need.

Can you push CAMHS? How can they say that isn't how CAMHS works? They are essentially saying we don't provide the service we know our young people need. .

Hi, NoHaudin. Yes, CAMHS are saying exactly that. They are so useless. They seem to think I should be grateful that DS1 received so many CBT sessions and that I have a cheek to ask for more. They also say that DS1 has relapsed because I don't support him adequately with his CBT methods (believe me, I've tried), whereas I argue that he relapsed because he returned to a mainstream school that was inadequate for his needs and triggered his relapse.

They were so patronising towards me at our last meeting. I wish I never had to see any of them again.

I have pushed and pushed for more CBT. Each time, they say DS is on the list. He's been waiting for seven months now, holed up at home because he can't leave the house. If he'd had a brief course of CBT at the first sign of trouble, this could all have been avoided.

I'm sorry that things have got so bad again. Especially when you know CBT works for him.

I have had the patronising mother isn't able to fully support him stuff too. It is infuriating and soul-destroying at the same time. I feel vindicated when a whole unit of specialist staff can't make his symptoms disappear either.

How bad are things now? Could you ask for a Maudsley referral? If he is housebound that probably puts him into the severe category which is what they accept.

Oh, it's a continuous cycle of ups and downs, isn't it?

I'm sorry you have also been patronised too. It seems to be standard practice at CAMHS. I notice that the form from school also says they tried and failed to get DS1 to use his CBT training, so will keep that up my sleeve to point out to CAMHS at our next appointment.

I dread these appointments.

At the moment, I'm hoping that DS1's new meds are going to help him. He has swapped from Prozac to Sertraline on the advice of a private paediatrician who recently diagnosed him with HFA (we gave up trying to get a diagnosis from CAMHS). He actually went out to meet a friend the other evening, which was astonishing, so I'm hoping he will start to improve. His OCD isn't too bad since his CBT, so he doesn't need the Maudsley - it's his general anxiety and inability to cope with school in particular that is the problem.

How is your son doing these days?

(Am about to go out, so forgive me if I don't answer for a couple of hours).

He is having second stay in Maudsley and is doing very well. He is now managing to wee without any rituals for the first time in nine years.
Pooing however is still a major sticking point. however he is very determined to overcome the OCD as far as possible this time. We had a very positive (and not at all patronising) meeting on Monday. The current thinking is that he will be there until the beginning of August.

I'm really glad to hear he's doing so well at the Maudsley. It's great that he's so determined. His success at overcoming some of his rituals will no doubt give him confidence that he will overcome more.

The psychologist DS1 saw, who trained at the Maudsley, was absolutely wonderful. Unfortunately, she went on maternity leave. If she comes back, I hope DS1 can see her again.