Ds1 is ripping his hair out now

[SparklyGothKat]

I am trying to get DS1, 12, assessed for ASD, he handflaps, bites his arms, paces, licks his palms, self-sooths himself by rubbing his chest, and his social skills are poor. He has started ripping large clumps of hair out now when he is angry.

I am at a lost atm, as the Pead. consultant said that DS1 doesn't displays as a child with ASD as he can make eye contact, and can hold a conversation, but she has written to the school (who have concerns about his social skills and friendships) and waiting to see what she thinks then, should I just go to the GP and demand a referral?
Stupid thing is a few years back DS1 was having an off day and refused to speak to her and was rude etc, and she refered him to CAMHs to be assessed for ODD??? I said he didn't have ODD at the time...

not sure if this is relevant, but if you can find sensory trained OT, see if they think doing exercises for retained reflexes (google it) might help.

Hi
I was given some invaluable advice at the start of dd's dx process -" become a squeaky wheel if you want to get anywhere".

I have since realised how important this is, because we also had years of being fobbed off and of chasing appointments etc.

So if I was you, I think I would demand a referral, either through school or your GP.
It does sound like your son has sensory issues -my dd is 9 and has AS and she also has a lot of sensory issues. If you can get access to one, I agree that an OT would be great for him.

I get so when so called professionals know bugger-all about ASD and rule it out because eye-contact might be okay.
Good luck, keep us updated.

Thing is he has a Dx of Spastic diplegia CP, and Herts hate duel dxd. They fobbed me off with 'its linked to the CP'

Sparkly

Don't be fobbed off.

Pulling out hair (eyelashes and/or/as well as hair) is not uncommon, I can't remember the name for it but will get back to you x

I know the name, its trichotilomania, I suffer with it, but this isn't the same, this is full on ripping out clumps when angry only

Oops, sorry SGK -didn't realise you had knowledge of the 'system' already . Apologies, hope I didn't patronise you.

It's crap that they are trying to make everything come under the umbrella of your ds' CP. I hope you can get someone to listen.

lol its fine, Hae been on the 'SN road' for 10 years now, used to the system, but hard the fighting, DS1 has CP, DD1 has CP, ADHD and learning disabilities Its so hard getting the hospital to listen to me about DS1's behaviour though

ds2's ASD was attributed to his CP & general delays for a long while.
It took alot of pushing & nagging, but once the psych had spent some time with him she said it was pretty easy to seperate out the ASD.
It has def been worth the fight as so much more specific help is available with the dx.

Keep nagging

want me to come with you?

Phone your Paed yourself if you already have, mention 'self harm', dont dilute it by calling it anything else and insist on urgent appointment.

I found all the while i referred to ds's rubbing and picking at his face to the point of bleeding and big open sores and pulling his eyelashes out as 'nervous tics' no one took any notice.

if you already have one

Could you ask for a second opinion for anotehr paed?

DS1's paed knows him well, have been ounder her for 6 years now.

I will call the pead tomorrow I think, I can't take DS1 with me as he will get angry and refuse to talk about anything, but if I can talk to her, I can explain whats been happening in the last month since we saw her

Its amazing how quickly people start to move to take appropriate action to address 'self harm', everyone goes into over drive to safe guard themselves, phone calls get returned very quickly and even home visits.

Good luck.

so the biting and hair pulling is self harming? he also hits himself, will mention that too

. I would defo say it's self harm - anything that injures yoru body, or causes pain and distress is, surely? Good luck, sparkly. I hope you get somewhere

He has damaged the skin and hair follicles on his arm from biting it I have mentioned this to many doctors in the past, they just don't listen to me

I would say all of those behaviours are classed as self harm.

I didnt want to use the term, as i didnt want to be an alarmist or a drama queen. but the more i thought about it, why shouldnt i use the term, its distressing to everyone concerned and i needed to cause some alarm, to make people sit up and take notice and get my ds some help.

he was under CAMHs a few years back. I will call his paed tomorrow and tell her we need to be re-refered back to CAMHs. We have a disabled children social worker but he is leaving and we haven't met our new one yet.

Im sure i have some strategies from the NAS for ways of coping with anxiety/anger in more appropriate ways, i could copy and paste for you, if thats any help in the meantime?

that would be great, thanks can you email me them to mieow79 @ hotmail. com please? (remove the spaces)

Yes no worries on the way to you.

thanks off to bed now, but will read it tomorrow.

did you ,managed to call her yet?