Age 6, asd and clinical psych.. worth it?

[Rapunzelrella]

Hi. My son, diagnosed asd, is in year 1 and we're really struggling with behaviour at school. He is getting weekly OT for sensory stuff but it's the violent behaviour that is currently so worrying. Practically every day there is a hitting, biting, scratching etc incident.
Has anyone had any positive experience with private clinical psych for this age? We think a lot of it is connected with transition issues (ie inability to transition between tasks etc) and massive anxiety.
School seem to think he is a bit young for it but I'm getting desperate and feel the need to at least explore possibilities.

If anyone has any experience good or bad it would be appreciated.

Yes - my DS now age 6 in year one saw a Clinical Psych last year when he was 5. I thought she was brilliant, but if I am honest what was most helpful were the few parent sessions which I did with her without DS present. We were aware that a lot of his behaviours were actually down to anxiety, and reducing anxiety in the home was the best place to start and then we have informed school of techniques too.
Obviously it depends on who you see as to how good they might be. You are right that it is a little young for the sessions (we found that he needed shorter than usual sessions and some weeks completely struggles to engage) but it would be worth a go. And if you find someone who does parent only sessions I would really recommend them.
Funnily enough we are the other way round to you as we are only just starting with an OT next week for sensory stuff.
Good luck! If you have any questions I'm happy to answer them.

a lot of his behaviours were actually down to anxiety

This is absolutely key, if you can reduce the triggers, the anxiety reduces and the behaviour improves. do get school on board with this.

Thanks!
Foxesjumpers - really good to know, thanks. Honestly, I increasingly feel I need the help as much as him, on a parent level.

Yes second anxiety, reducing triggers. Really really get on top of every single outburst it’s worth it. Stay behind every day at the school too and get them to complete a behaviour plan which is implemented by a behavioral psychologist. The more senior and experienced the better. Get them to meet with the school.

I feel like these are worth way more than OT sensory stuff, although all important, if you don’t get on top of the behaviour then everything fails. So I’d be paying for this privately too. Even two sessions, one for you, one for you plus school.

Thanks OrangeCookie.... can I ask how you found a behavioural psych (logistically I mean.... website, recommended etc)?

I searched for a bcba Psychologist on the American website and searched for one in my area. Or type in behavioural Psychologist Autism. I then checked out every name I found, googled, looked at reviews, until I found one with a lot of recommendations.

Forums can also be useful but they have to know the area and every person is subjective in what they want. For me it was experience, and ability to keep up with latest thinking on challenging behaviour.

Then I contacted two, asked them a bit about what they could offer explained the situation, and the person with the best engagement about it I met for a 2 hour consultation. She drew up a complete plan that I and the school could use, and listened a lot to concerns. She knew what she was talking about!

I know it’s money and I don’t know how how you think the school might engage, so I know this worked for me but don’t want to tell you want to do. You’ll have to weigh it up. For me, getting on top of behaviour was so key that good advice really helped. I have a friend who has a kid with very challenging behaviour, and she employs a psychologist and speech therapist, and gets them both to go into the school with th principal, school teacher and Sna and it really has helped! She did that, she organised and paid for it all!