Experience of CAHMS anyone?

[bonkerz]

After 2 visits to a peadiatrician for DS we have finally been referred to CAHMS for an 'intensive assessment' and to assess where on the autistic spectrum DS falls (with specific focus on ASPERGERS.)

Has anyone had this done?
Am nervous about what Peadiatrician meant by intensive assessment!

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thanks. I really dont know what to expect TBH and am worried about how they assess for aspergers etc. What did CAHMS do for you essbee?

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thanks essbee. i am in leicester and believe there are 2 centers near me so will have a scout about on google.

I found CAMHS fairly useless tbh, nice but useless. I have never heard of them being able to assess where a child is on the autistic spectrum which is very hard to assess and can really change. If that is the way the system is in your area then I suppose you have to go with it but really the Dev Paed should be more than adequate. The people I saw were very nice, reasonable and eager to help us but couldn't offer us anything new. Mind you, we'd been in the system for a long time by then and it really was just ticking a box as other professionals seemed keen for us to go to CAMHS. One thing that did rankle is, before the appt, I was asked to complete a form but all it really asked for (apart from name, address etc) was names of other professionals involved. They then looked at some recent letter/reports from professionals but didn't ask US anything beforehand!!! I thought it was really stupid tbh and I emailed them afterwards and told them so, very nicely! I wouldn't worry, the ones we saw were very gentle and helpful but a bit of a chocolate teapot!

DS2 was referred to CAMHS by CDC psych & paed who wanted a second opinion re poss ASD & OCD.
Unfortunately it was a total waste of time, they did not assess ds at all, they just listened to me & then sent a report based on what I had told them. TBH ds may as well not of been there at all, the conclusion was they could add nothing further to the CDC & discharged him.
I hope your experience is more helpful.

Another bad experience here I'm afraid. My ds had already been diagnosed with ASD, and we were referred to CAHMS in the hope that they might help with his behavioural problems, both at home and at school. They watched him sit and draw for a short while and then proceded to ask a lot of questions that I didn't feel relevant to the situation at all. She even got my crying which is something I very rarely do infront of friends or family let alone complete strangers, she just made me feel so inadequate as a parent. She came out with an absolutely ridiculous speculation,that 'ds won't leave home till he's 25 yrs' (how could she predict that)and to let him just run around in a field after school. She looked surprised when I explained that ds needed to be watched over in the playground because off his behavioural problems (He's currently being statemented requested by the school mainly because of his behaviour!). However, they were prepared to accompany me to a playground and to go into his school to observe him and then to suggest strategies. I didn't take her up on the offer, for reasons that I won't bore you with.

Good luck

bonkerz,

You mention "paediatrician" in your original post. Was your son seen by a developmental paediatrician at a child development centre?. If not I would query this and now CAMHS's involvement. From my readings about CAMHS they do not really work with ASD.

Have you spoken with the National Autistic Society?. They may be able to give you some pointers as well.

we were referred to a child peadiatrician to assess DS for aspergers. Peads have bascially said they fell DS has severe behavioural and social needs but they are not able to place him on the spectrum without further investigation and assessment which is why they have referred to CAHMS who will assess.
Am now really worried we are no closer to the truth!

Hi Bonkerz
I have had a very positive experience with CAMHS one of the people involved in the DX of DS2 came under CAMHS and they were very supportive to our family following the DX of HF ASD.
Have had support regarding behavioural issues and emotional support in the form of group sessions with other parents in the same situation.
They seem to be very supportive of parents and children where I live.
I hope you may also have a good experience.