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CAMHS Advice

qcdj2009

Hi All,

We had a CAMHS meeting yesterday. It started of well but towards the end, an hour and a half later, she started to say that she didn't think we were on the right place. My son was referred there last year and after only two 10 minute sessions was discharged. Then this year school, his doctor and peadiatric consultant have all referred him (and us as a family) to CAMHS. They obviously thought we neede the support. 

I'm not sure what I was expecting to be honest but feel very disheartened this morning. She said that because my son was so quiet in there that she didn't think he would talk, our argument was that it may take a few 'sessions' but we thought that he would open up. I do feel that he needs to open up to someone as he has a lot of feelings and emotions that he doesn't feel he can talk to me about because he doesn't want to upset me.

We are battling with a lot of things and as such so is our son. He has ADHD, ASD, OCD, parents who split 6 years ago, a 'fun life' at Dad's (no set bedtime, 24/7 on tablet computer and a parent saying he doesn't have ADHD or need to take his medication) We have a fairly strict routine here, 2 siblings and things we need to do, like shopping or going to the park , swimming etc. Dad doesn't see many of his behaviour traits because he doesn't have to deal with social interaction when he has him or go shopping etc.

Has anyone had any experiences of CAMHS, know what there for and what they do?

Do you think they are something that my son needs or is there another course we could be taking for him instead?

Thank you

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Perhaps your daughter is on the spectrum AND has issues about her father. Perhaps you can't deal with one issue without dealing with the other issue?

  • My daughter went to camhs before she had her asd diagnosis.  The EP had recomended that she went because of starting high school and her anxiety.  It turned into a councelling session about how she felt about her dad and him leaving 6 years earlier.  While it did help her deal with her feelings about her dad, I felt we could have achieved the same with any old councellor.  What I had hoped for, was for the psychologist to say 'I think she's on the spectrum' but I wasn't direct enough to come out and say it.

    We're due to go again, have an appointment next month after waiting for 9 months.  We moved and her anxiety increased as she had to go to a new and much bigger school.  I'm not hoping for much from this new psychologist if I'm honest but thought they might be able to direct us to some support groups/social skills groups and such.  

    Before she went the first time, I think I was expecting a magic wand to make it all better.  Maybe I was expecting too much - it seems to be different in each area.  Some seem to diagnose ASD and various things and others just 'talk'.  I don't  know if that helps at all?

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    qcdj2009 said:

    We have a fairly strict routine here, 2 siblings and things we need to do, like shopping or going to the park , swimming etc.

    Is there a subtle difference between a "strict" routine and a "consistent and predictable routine"? I've picked up on the word "strict" and it may be that it might not be the best choice of words? If you are imposing a very strict routine on a kid and taking him to places that he basically doesn't want to got to (the park or swimming) then he may not react very positively to this.

    I HATED swimming when I was a kid because of lots of things that I would now recognise were related to my undiagnosed ASD. The noise, the coldness of the water, the stink of chlorine, etc etc etc. (soz for shouting!)

    How does this routine of normal activities appear to him? What does he enjoy? Does he want to have quiet time at home rather than boisterous fun with his sibs in the park?