Really worried about ASD teen..

[Anon3837]

They have recently started head banging, trying to strangle themselves with cables/cords and not eating much, struggling to sleep. Also say they hate everything and want to kill themselves or kill/hurt others.

They are ASD, in Specialist School and under Camhs. SSRIs for anxiety, melatonin for sleep.

So worried. We, Camhs and school are working hard to support.

If melatonin isn’t helping or not helping enough, has he tried any other medications to aid sleep?

When you say not eating much, how little is DC eating? Are they losing weight? Would they take a supplement? Have you considered an eating disorder?

What therapies is DC receiving?

Do you know what triggered the change?

Is the SSRI a new addition? If the behaviour has started or escalated since starting, it is worth considering if the SSRI is partly to blame.

Do you think the SS is the right placement? Or do you need to look elsewhere?