Being fobbed off by the NHS

[waitingforgodot]

Story so far....
DS is 3 and currently being assessed for ASD. We have SALT, EP and others involved. I asked for a referral to OT as he has some sensory issues. To cut a long story short, they said OT will not deal with any children being assessed for ASD. I wrote 1st letter of complaint. Was told it was because the OTs are not sufficiently trained in Sensory stuff. Wrote a second letter asking, why if it is deemed a necessity in other regions was my DS missing out because of the postcode lottery.
Received reply yesterday and you will like this ladies. NHS told me to find a private OT. Also told me "there is no objective evidence of the benefit of sensory integration" and "The sensory integration approach is not recommended by the National Autistic Society"
WTF?????
Just thought I would rant!

Well, I would request their policy which states that kids with ASD don't deal with sensory issues.

I don't think they work for CAMHS, no (but have laways been notoriously poor at understanding logisitcs of a lot of stuff).

I don't know whether or not your ds would benefit from OT.It is certainly the case with SALT that a lot of peopel want their child 'seen' even though there is no real clinical need or indeed sometimes anything a SALT can do for them.

However, as a parent, you are entitled to a full and rational explanation of what they can/can't do for you and why these decisions have been reached.

I'd research the NAS angle too. I'm a bit [hmmm] about the assertion that a dept. is acting on their recommendation.

They're a charity not a statutory provider.

Exactimondo!!

I dont know Starlight but I came across something mentioning CAMHS, ASD kids and OT in the same sentence.

haha!
How true.

Unfortunately, in our area, the keys to the diagnostic castle are kept in the clammy paws of the CAMHS team - complete pile of poo that they are! The psychologist at the head of the ASD team is DREADFUL. Really horrible, self-justifcatory type, who probably sits on lots of committees but hasn't a clue how to communicate with real people!

OT are a separate dept at my local hospital and the paediatric OT team work out of the children's unit. They are fab!

Someone on her once told me that assessment and diagnosis used to be done by children's units before it got siphoned off to the hell hole of CAMHS. I wish it hadn't been!