My daughter hasn't been to school

My 12 yr old daughter was recently diagnosed with autism, (although, I knew from when she was at least 2 yrs old, but had to fight for a diagnosis). She currently hasnt been in school for almost 4 weeks. I don't know what has triggered it, she says she wants to go but her body is stopping her ( anxiety).  She is a lovely, sweet girl and I hate seeing her like this. Camhs have declined my referral.  I haven't had contact with the school send team since the beginning of last week< I feel completely on my own, I don't know what I should be doing, I cant get a G.P appointment, I know my daughter needs to talk to someone  before she can go back to school. I 'm worried she's going to get worse and never go back. I've emailed another support service but that can take 4 weeks, is it only at crisis point that support is available? Or if you have the funds to go privately? Has anyone any suggestions that I'm missing? 

Parents
  • CAMHS is in my opinion the worst NHS service, I got referred to them many, many, many years ago, even before they were underfunded, and in 3 years they never saw me once and I "aged out" of their service before I even got a single appointment.

    I think ask the school to arrange a meeting between you and the educational psychologist, or ask her teacher to push the SEND team to get back to you sooner.
    If she's in her first year of secondary really push for a EHCP.
    And in the mean time look for CAMHS alternatives or stop-gap services in your local area.
    I found something that might be good for your daughter to read as I was not much younger when I was diagnosed and without reassurance I internalised a feeling that I was broken or incomplete compared to my peers and that contributed to bad self esteem and anxiety around where I fit with, and interacting with the rest of the world.
    www.youngminds.org.uk/.../
    www.youngminds.org.uk/.../

Reply
  • CAMHS is in my opinion the worst NHS service, I got referred to them many, many, many years ago, even before they were underfunded, and in 3 years they never saw me once and I "aged out" of their service before I even got a single appointment.

    I think ask the school to arrange a meeting between you and the educational psychologist, or ask her teacher to push the SEND team to get back to you sooner.
    If she's in her first year of secondary really push for a EHCP.
    And in the mean time look for CAMHS alternatives or stop-gap services in your local area.
    I found something that might be good for your daughter to read as I was not much younger when I was diagnosed and without reassurance I internalised a feeling that I was broken or incomplete compared to my peers and that contributed to bad self esteem and anxiety around where I fit with, and interacting with the rest of the world.
    www.youngminds.org.uk/.../
    www.youngminds.org.uk/.../

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