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Assessment

Shell85

Hello I wonder if anyone could offer me some advice.  My 7year old son is currently been assessed for Autism and at the moment I feel like I am banging my head off a brick wall. I first rang CAMHS in January and was offered an appointment in May. The gentleman that we seen discussed that my son was showing alot of Autistic traits but obviously needed further assessments. He gave me some forms to give to the school so he could gather information from them. These were handed to the school who filled them in promptly and returned the next day.  Since everyone tells me that the assessment process takes forever, it was not something I thought to chase up straight away but after a few months of not hearing anything I decided to ring for an update. The only person I ever got through to was the receptionist who told me no one was available and my phone call would be returned. When my son returned to school in September his problems escalated dramatically so I was back to ringing numerous times a day to be told no one was available. I eventually had a voicemail to say they were waiting for the information from the school which I knew had been returned 4 months ago. After this voicemail it took me three days to get in touch and to be fobbed off about how busy this guy was and how he shouldn't have to chase things up from schools. He resent the forms which again have been filled in and sent back and an appointment has been made. The return to school has been massively traumatic for my son who is having massive meltdowns at school everyday over all the change and I am getting daily phone calls from the school as they are at a complete loss as to what to do with him. I've tried to get back in touch with CAMHS to see if I can chase this up any further but again no one is available to take my call and  I never get a ring back. I am now completely stuck as to what to do as my son is suffering massively and I feel completely let down by the CAMHS service. Is there any other route I can do down or anyone else that can help?  I know I've rambled on for quite a while so thank you for reading

Parents

  • Hi, how frustrating for you during this challenging time. I don't know if theirs any other route to diagnosis than CAMs maybe someone else on here will know. I'd keep trying but perhaps encourage you to consider the assessment/diagnosis as just one piece of the jigsaw. CAMs diagnosed my son and gave me a book then discharged. It was before diagnosis that I was sat in the headmasters office yet again feeling completely lost at what else to do. It was other sources that really turned life around for my son and I. E.g. agencies (I used Team around the family), support groups, workshops and internet seaching that helped me (which helped my son) to really make life alot calmer and my son happier. I've been in that place of the school phoning me every 5 mins a really awful place to be. If you suspect your son has autism/aspergers find out as much as you can and seeking as much help/support as possible, use suggested techniques so that things can change for you now.

    I wish you all the best its a difficult place to be. I hope the above helps. I probably shouldn't say this but bear in mind if you continue to get no response a letter titled complaint ensures a response within a specified period of time....  

Reply

  • Hi, how frustrating for you during this challenging time. I don't know if theirs any other route to diagnosis than CAMs maybe someone else on here will know. I'd keep trying but perhaps encourage you to consider the assessment/diagnosis as just one piece of the jigsaw. CAMs diagnosed my son and gave me a book then discharged. It was before diagnosis that I was sat in the headmasters office yet again feeling completely lost at what else to do. It was other sources that really turned life around for my son and I. E.g. agencies (I used Team around the family), support groups, workshops and internet seaching that helped me (which helped my son) to really make life alot calmer and my son happier. I've been in that place of the school phoning me every 5 mins a really awful place to be. If you suspect your son has autism/aspergers find out as much as you can and seeking as much help/support as possible, use suggested techniques so that things can change for you now.

    I wish you all the best its a difficult place to be. I hope the above helps. I probably shouldn't say this but bear in mind if you continue to get no response a letter titled complaint ensures a response within a specified period of time....  

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