11 year old DS with Autism and anxiety

[Lottie234d]

Hoping someone may have some advice to offer.

DS due to turn 11 next week has been in a specialist setting since year 5. Overall school was going okay until December last year when anxiety started to peak. He has not been in school since February half-term and is getting dysregulated a lot of the time, especially if I have to go to work for a few hours. Lots of meltdowns every week and constantly speaking about wanting to go back to nursery years

CAMHS/Emotional well-being service declined the referral due to support school can offer. I've asked paediatrician to refer again. The paediatrician said they won't consider medication before therapy offered which I understand but not currently being offered.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? His IDP was reviewed today and the school are looking at ways to support. They have offered to do play therapy in the community and send LSA to meet my son in community for sessions

Is there something in particular that changed at the end of last year? Or is it a gradual increase in demands and expectations at school as DS gets older that is part of the problem?

The IDP can include more support even if CAMHS won’t support you, so I would ensure that is as good as it can be even if you have to appeal. It is worth looking at SNAPCymru and the Welsh Nodi guide if you haven’t already.

Has DS had SALT and OT input? When did he last see an EP?

If the current referral is rejected, you could complain.

How are DS’s eating and sleeping?

Thank you for your reply. No it see.s to be gradual increase in demands that appeared to start in December. He was in a class of children 2 years older and more academically capable which I wasn't aware of. This probably has caused him distress although they were tailoring work.

Yes we had OT input this week. The last appointment was about 4 years ago.

DS hasn't seen an EP since nursery. I have raised this with the school.

We have some calmer periods bit the feelings of wanting to be you ger are almost a daily thing

Eating is ok. Tends to look for lots of crunchy food when anxiety peaks. Sleeping better since being out of school but tends to wake early with thoughts of being younger.

The preoccupation with being younger makes me think DS is experiencing a trauma response to unmet needs at school.

An updated EP assessment will help. Ongoing OT, including sensory OT, and SALT support will also help.

Thank you for your response. I did wonder about his new school as his concentration and engagement appears worse than when in mainstream with a 1:1 so would fit in with your idea re school trauma