Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
I'm Ian and I am 53. I was diagnosed with ADHD last year.
Since then I've been looking at some of the stuff I do that are classed as neurodivergent traits.
I see a lot of these in my son who is trans and has been struggling with school and self harm.
As a result and thanks to our fantastic GP he has been referred for an autism assessment.
The diagnostic pathway for ADHD and Autism is frankly a mess where we live (North Yorkshire). Adults are currently being directed to an online "profiler" which then results in 90% of users being given "helpful" advice like go for a long walk or try using a planner.
For children ADHD comes under the local CAMHS and autism is done by a separate organisation and is about to be passed onto a new organisation.
I'm involved a little with York disability rights forum where we have recently crowdfunded to take legal action over the use of the profiler which breaks the NHS constitution amongst other things.
My son has just gone into year 10 and things at school have recently got much worse to a point where we might have to withdraw him and look at alternative provision.
I'd be interested to make contact with any parents who are on a similar journey with school stuff. Also any parents in North Yorkshire who might want to meet up and chat and share experiences.
Sorry Ian to hear everything that you and your son are going through. Everything is such a sprawling mess these days. I know from personal experience that things in the North can be a lot more brutal in the way you're treated, (being heavily ex-industrial etc.)
What you and Autonomistic have highlighted is abhorrent. All of this stuff they impose is simply wrecking lives, no other way to describe it. It beggars belief to be honest. Little common sense, very little compassion, so many obstacles. Reaching absolute MH crisis can get very dark indeed, very scary for folks with ASD. And the advice such as go for a long walk, is just a joke.
Your GP sounds nice but why has everything always got to be this exhausting fight for every tiny little thing nowadays?
Kudos by the way in regards to the disability rights forum. Best of luck with everything