Reluctantly seeking help for mentally ill child.

[RedBrickWarehouse]

The mentally ill child is autistic, luckily isn’t captured by gender ideology.

I recently approached an offshoot of CAMHS, and coincidentally have had autism assessment forms to fill in.

In all there is a large section on gender identity - gender assigned at birth, pronouns, preferred names.

The CAMHS offshoot form was editable, and I was so tempted to delete all the gender stuff and change it to sex, but didn’t dare as it could affect how my child is treated.

I was reluctant to contact them anyway as they’ve been dreadful with my older children (my GP pointed out I couldn’t assume it wouldn’t work out for this child, which is a fair point), but the whole gender angle has me even more worried about it all, and the affirmation model of therapy (not just gender affirmation, but also an approach of “if you feel it it’s true” which is really harmful).

I don’t want to do anything now, or with the hospital assessing my child, but after it’s all over I’d like to complain, as it’s such manipulative stuff and vulnerable children in a medical setting should surely shouldn’t be encouraged down this route by professionals who presumably are intelligent enough to know better. Would they ask similar for a child going through a goth stage?

I feel so uncomfortable about it all but feel I have no option but to go through the process and keep my priority of keeping my child safe.

I'm sorry your child is having a tough time.

It sounds a good idea to complain after it's all done. At least you are alert to it and can protect your child.

Hope all goes well.

So sorry RedBrick. If it helps when my DD (finally) had her autism assessment this summer they interviewed me separately and I told them about her dabbling with the trans ideology as absolutely the darkest period of her life. I think the mental toll of living a lie is a high one. The woman I spoke to nodded sympathetically and carried on, so I didn't get barred/burned at the stake/social services called. They surely must have seen disturbed children making themselves worse with this ideology and I hope they'd be on your side. Good luck

I'm confused OP is your child mentally ill and autistic, or just autistic? Autism isn't a mental health issue so I'm not sure if she is being assessed for mental health issues or autism or both.

If you have put all the correct sex information on the form and not said they are trans then I wouldn't expect them to question your child on their gender at all or bring the subject up.

I expect it's on there because a lot of kids with ASD seem to end up also believing they are trans. I think it should be seen as a huge concern and the kids helped to work it through and accept themselves, but unfortunately I don't think we're quite at that point with the NHS.

@Jade520 autistic and mentally ill.

There was no option to fill in correct sex information because the forms asked for gender assigned at birth, pronouns etc.

A difficult time for all involved is made more worrying because, as the Cass review explains, going down this route is not neutral for the child, and it seems wrong for a hospital and a mental health support provider to be so captured.

For my child who had to help with the forms, it has meant that trust in their ability to help is already wavering - the child is GC through being at a school where pride and gender ideology is shoved down their throats to the point where many have now rejected it (which is possibly a good thing!) but it’s left my child with a lack of trust to those pushing it. The heavy emphasis on gender and identity in the forms has risked alienating my child before any support has even been accessed.

There was a very similar thread to this a few weeks back … sounds like a system issue.

Just leave it blank. I work for a different MH team and it's nothing more than a box ticking exercise, nobody will bat an eyelid if it's not filled in. If you're questioned just say it doesn't apply to your child. It doesn't reflect the beliefs of the professionals working there. I don't even know who designs the forms or where they come from.

I started a similar thread a few weeks ago but my DD is trans identified so different impact, but same issue. This absolutely shouldn't be anywhere near vulnerable children and NHS after Cass. But here we are.

Sorry your DD is struggling OP and hope she gets the help she needs from the clinical team not withstanding the complete muppets designing the forms.

I'm waiting for my DD's report before sending my complaint. Maybe you could complain too after your DD has been helped. The more push back they get the better but we can't risk poor outcomes for the DC by being "difficult". What a time to be alive.

Please help me raise safeguarding issue re ROGD teen autism assessment http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/5279534-please-help-me-raise-safeguarding-issue-re-rogd-teen-autism-assessment

My daughter (Autistic, lesbian and mentally unwell) went through the CAMHS system. This consolidated her belief that she was the opposite sex/no sex. It is a religion that they push at vulnerable children. I too am so, so angry. This was pre Cass. I personally refused to go along with it, used birth name etc but it's relentless. Maybe more so then. Well meaning liberal lefty art teachers changing her name at the drop of a hat didn't help either. Assholes the lot of them.