CAMHS refused to assess for AS as DS can speak to him!!

[sarah573]

DS is 9 and has suspected AS. We have been referred to CAMHS by our GP and have had 2 half hour sessions with a psyhcologist there.

When I asked him at the end of the last session about AS and DS having a proper assessment he said that he didn't think that he would get a DX as he had spoke to him well during the session. In a 1:1 situation (with an adult) DS can talk fluently (especially if you get him onto his specialist subject!!). However as soon as he is in a group, or talking with another child it all goes rapidly down hill. I did explain this, but he said that, although he did have strong traits, they (the assessment team) only wanted to see the worst cases!!!

DS is being assessesed for a statement at school, and is only there for mornings at the moment (and for the foreseeable). He has 1:1 while he is there, but this stops at christmas unless he is statemented. He cannot cope without this 1:1 at the moment. Obviously a DX would go along way towards helping to get the statement.

He's been refused a dx of AS because he can speak?? But having language development within a typical time scale is part of the criteria surely? Ds2 (AS) can talk the hind leg off a donkey 1:1 with an adult (usually great long monologues about Transformers and Lego Star Wars!).

That sounds like a really crap reason.
As a salt I see scores of people who speak fluently but have huge problems with communication 9of the sort you outline)
Do yuo have a salt? If not,ask for a referral.

CAMHS certainly have their place but not in regards to ASD. Your GP referred you to them?.

I would now ask your GP to refer you to a developmental paediatrician at a CDC (child development centre). Your son can be properly assessed by such people rather than CAMHS.

It is possible to get a Statement without having a diagnosis. When was the statement applied for and did you yourself apply for it to the LEA rather than the school?. Also you need to bear in mind that statements if agreed can take six months to set up and running.

I was under the impression that a speech and language assessment was part of the dx process, and should be considered when putting all the facts togethre to decide a dx. It has certainly been the case for everyone I know who's had a child assessed for AS. Ask your GP to refer for SALT assessment - they'll be able to detect abnormalities in your DS's language skills.

Yeh I agree. A Salt, Paeditrician and a psychologist were involved with my ds's diagnosis, the CAMHS had no involvement. I've had some experience with CAMHS and I wasn't impressed one bit. The psychologist really downplayed my ds's difficulties, made me feel I was wasting her precious time, even though my ds later went on to get statemented. So I would definately advise for you to go back to your gp and ask to see a paeditrician which should hopefully get the ball rolling with regards to a diagnosis.

Thanks everyone. I was under the (probably incorrect) impression that the SALT was only involved if there was problem with forming the words and speach. DS speaks clearly, however his speach is odd, he drops the small words, for example he would say 'Me use computer', Rather than saying 'Can I use the computer please'. Until recently he always referred to himself in the third person 'Josh have drink', but has now replaced his name with 'Me'. Is this something a SALT would look at?

Coppertop - the reason CAMHS didn't think he would get a DX is not because he can speak, but because he can hold a normal conversation with an adult.

Attika- Yes the GP sent us to CAHMS. The GP reached pretty much the same conclusion as the CAMHS guy as DS sat and fluently talked her ear off about something. The ed pshy on the other hand, who has spent time with DS, his teacher and myself says shes pretty sure it is AS. We are going through with the statment without a DX as even if we were referred for an assessment now it would likely take longer than the statement.

It just feels like no one believes me, as on the surface DS seems like a normal intelligent 9 year old. Anyone who spends time with him will and does realise this is seriously not the case. It just feels like we are being fobbed off all the time.

No Sarah.
SALTS are involved with all aspects of communication,cetainly not just forming words correctly (although a common misunderstanding.)

Put it this way,a lot of the people I work with don't speak at all (severe learning disabilities but they can and do communicate most effectively in a variety of ways!)

Request an salt assessment as soon as possible.
DO NOT be fobbed off.
A lot of teams allow parents to refer directly. Ring your local dept. and gfind out.

Oh dont get me started on CAMHS, totally useless IMO.

May 2005, within 5 mins of seeing the psychologist she told me DS has AS, then her superior says no he has,

1. obsessional behaviour
2. extremely high anxiety 3, ritualistic routines
3. food issues
4. echolalic speech and takes everything literally but he doesnt have AS he has: traits of AS.

you are better with a CDC or a developmental paediatrician, DD has one and they have been wonderful.

Hi Sarah, my YS has been going through the process with the Early Years team of the Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust, he had an SALT assessment first, then screened by a Senior Paediatrician, finally a 90 min assessment with a Clinical Child Psychologist, his Diagnostic/Planning meeting is on the 17th October, I believe the recommendation will be for Asperger Syndrome - severe. Referral for SID. I will be requesting that Hyperlexia is also added to the list.

FYI - before moving to the IoW, we lived in Southsea, I have 2 boys aged 7 and 4.10. I am also a member on Facebook.

Kind regards Louise