What's the difference between Cahms and Autism Assessment Service???

[mysonben]

I'm slightly confused. We were told by paed that she was going to refer DS to Cahms for asd assessment.
Got the letter from the childrens unit we are going to go to, they don't call themselves Cahms. ??? In fact no mention of Cahms anywhere.
In the letter it said DS has been refered to S... Autism Assessment Service.
And at the bottom of the letter underneath the name and signature it says 'Autism Team'.

Are they the same people? I'm a bit baffled.

Hi,

CAHMS is the general name for a group of specialist teams and services for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health. One team might work with autism, another work with children suffering from eating disorders etc.

Its similar to the term "Social Services" which includes provision for children and younger people, learning disability, physical disability, older people etc.

I see, thanks for clarification, i got muddled up with all the different names, who is who and who does what...

yes..i can also confirm that is right.
Ds was referred to the autism team within camhs.
Hope it goes well

Ok thanks Troutpout.
Dear we've waited ages for that appointment, and now i'm all worried.
These people are to be the experts on asd arent'they? Shall i take what they say to be gospel??? Or can i still object if i don't agree with something?

Don't take what they say as gospel at all. Experience of and competence in the dx of ASD varies considerably within teams. It's quite a subjective dx after all.

You've read about ASD - they've probably read more than you have hence they are 'experts' - or shoudl be.

That doesn't mean you have to accept everything they tell you - you are permitted to question / object.

They may be 'experts' in ASD however you are the expert when it comes to your son. You know him better than any expert.