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New Member - Where do I start?

myers74

Hi, my son is nearly 16 and for years I have often thought something was not right. He has seen Dr's and specialist through his younger years but nothing was ever resolved. He was tested for Dyspraxia but said he was border line and nother ever came from that.  He is doing in GCSE's now and struggling.  I went to see my Dr last week as I have been getting stressed and upset about it.  When I described him and some of the things he does and what he is like, straight away she said 'sounds like he is on the Autistic Spectrum' when she said that, even that was a relief and that I was not going mad.  But it is what I do not that confuses me. She said she could refer him to CAMHS, but would take ages and also gave me the number of a local service. My issue is that my son does not know any of this, I think he is happy in his own little world.  I am not sure if I should leave it till he leaves school and see how he goes, but they if nothing changes I feel like I have wasted the time to do anything about it.  I wish I could speak to someone more about him to see what they think I should do.  I don't how to speak to him to convince him to come and see someone without hurting his feelings. He is at the age now where I can't just say, we are going to see someone I need his permission.

If anyone has got any advice on this or can point me in the right direction or the right discussion board I would be the most grateful.

Thanks 

  • @myers74 and @ JennyRobin; Below are two links that may be of use?

    The helpline and the other community forums linked on the NAS website;

    www.autism.org.uk/helpline

    community.autism.org.uk/communities

    I hope one of these may be of assistance to you?

    Kind regards,

    Coco (Moderator)

     

  • hi Myers

    I don't know if this is the right place either as I have just joined, but hopefully a moderator will nudge us in the right direction.  Smile

    My daughter is almost 16 and has had issues since she was young.

    The doctor had talked positively to her to try to change things over the years, but that didn't do much.

    She has problems with social anxiety, low moods, school lateness, hygiene, and sensitivities to noise, light, and distractions which make her irritable and angry.

    We had some help from family support workers, but reward charts couldn't change her behaviour such as her reactions to noises etc., and youth workers couldn't make her go out to tackle her social fears.

    Early last year,my daughter was getting worse, and my doctor realised how stressed I was about it all, so referred her to camhs.  

    It was about 6 months before I heard anything and I received a questionaire to fill in.  Camhs decided to see my daughter for social anxiety and depression. After 3 months she was discharged as she was in a better mood.  But there were still many issues with no answers, and her social situation hadn't changed.

    Early this year, she was feeling really low and struggling with school, and had other problems, so the doctor referred her to camhs again.  After about 4 months camhs said they would see her again.

    This time the practitioner said she could be on the Autistic Spectrum, most likely Aspergers.  We were asked if she wanted to be tested, and I talked to my daughter about it, and I told her the final decision was hers.  She said she would like to be tested as it might give us better understanding of how she is, and we are now waiting for the outcome.

    The practitioner said a diagnosis wouldn't change things because there is no support available in the area we live.  But it was suggested I join this web site for information and support.

    Myers,  Maybe if your son is struggling with his GCSEs then that could be a reason to get a referral?  

    Does your son remember being tested for dyspraxia?  Maybe that would be a way to broach the subject too?

    Think of how you are feeling too, if it is causing you distress, because camhs might be able to help.

    It's good that your son is happy, and I can understand you not wanting to upset him, but maybe you can find a moment when he would be responsive to talking about it?

    Hope some of what I have written might help, and I am sure there will be people that have more experience that can advise you on this.