Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi
This is my first time here so please be gentle! My 8yo son has had difficulties we first noticed when he was 1. At his 36 months check the health visitor did a referral to CAMHS and he was assessed by a nursery nurse and paediatrician. They said to give him time and they would reassess him when he had settled in at school.
Time passed and his Reception teacher referred him back to CAMHS, by this time Covid lockdowns were hitting. He saw an occupational therapist who said that he had problems crossing his midline (he struggles with shirt buttons, writing and anything that he needs both hands). They recommended an autism assessment and that took years, we finally got a’verdict’ in December 22 saying that they couldn’t find evidence of autism and they were discharging him. We were quite surprised at this as he is quite anxious, gets very cross with his sisters and he is completely obsessed with Tipping Point (he watches it on tv, on repeat on digital channels, he has 3 of the board games, he plays it on his tablet and even watches other people play it on YouTube!).
Randomly this morning I opened my internet browser and there was an article about Asperger’s Syndrome and I am convinced that is what he has. It wasn’t as obvious when he was first referred, but now he is older he ticks nearly all the boxes.
How do I go about getting him diagnosed with Asperger’s? Should I go back to CAMHS or give up on them (they took 4 years to decide that he wasn’t on the spectrum!)? How do I go about getting a private diagnosis? Any help really appreciated, thanks for reading my essay!
Thank you, I’ll get a GP appointment
Thank you, I’m at the stage where I’m happy to pay now after waiting for CAMHS for 4 years! How do I self refer? How do you know where to start and who is going to be best to help?
Thank you, the article had disappeared from the Microsoft page when I went back this afternoon, that’s probably why. I was just so pleased to have found something that fitted his symptoms this morning!
Your school FLO or SENCO should be able to signpost you in the right direction. Also you can go to your GP and ask them to write you a referral letter. Alternatively you can self refer its faster but you’ll have to pay. X
Asperger's has not been widely diagnosed since 2013, when diagnostic guidelines were changed. It is broadly replaced by 'Autism Spectrum Condition/Disorder, Level 1. The levels, 1 to 3, reflect the level of support an autistic person requires.
Sorry to say this by CAMHS are useless and I wouldn't be surprised if they flat out lied to fob you off. https://emergentdivergence.com/camhs-crisis/Also As****** (name of a guy who worked for *** to determine which kids shouldn't be eradicated) doesn't exist it's all just various places on the Autism spectrum. I don't blame you if you don't know about the controversy behind that label though, it was kept an unpopular secret for many years.For a private diagnosis find somewhere in the UK that is private run but accepts patients through the right to choose scheme. Then get your GP to make the refferral to that company saying you want a second opinion through the right to choose. And don't take no for an answer on this one.Good luck.