CAMHS

[di30]

 

Hello everyone.

 

I was informed that Dan my 12 yr old son is 2nd on the waiting list for CAMHS, that was 2 weeks ago in mid March 07.

 

As Dan is highly suspected of having AS his specialist referred him to the above.

 

Please could anyone enlighten me of the process of this, as I will have to tell Dan to be prepared ?

I'm not sure what to expect on the first appointment.

 

Look forward to your feedback and many thanks.

I understand this may possibly vary from one area to the next, and we live in South Wales (Gwent).

 

Many thanks again.

Di

[Clare63]

Hi Di,

When we got our first appointment with CAMHS they sent a letter listing what would be discussed, in general they didn't really ask Connor much at all but guess observed him throughout the appointment whilst my husband and I answered their questions. It was not until much latter when we finally met with the psycharitist that he had to undertake some tests, which included matching photographs of eyes to emotions and short stories where someone says something literal and they tried to see if he spotted it, he also did a bit of art therapy to see how he worked and what he drew.

Hope that helps !

Clare x

[di30]

Thanks Clare

 

This is much appreciated thank you so much.

 

At least we have an idea now what to expect.

 

Its just waiting for the appointment to come up now, I can't see it being that long after being told he's 2nd on the list, if i haven't heard anything by the end of this month i may contact them to be sure a letter haven't already been sent-as the post here is ridiculas, and the letters that have been mislaid is beyond a joke !

 

If you don't mind me asking did you attend a few appointments before the official diagnosis were given ?

thanks again.

 

Di x

[Clare63]

Well we started going to CAMHS after a GP referral last March/Feb time, had an initial assessment with two social workers who are part of the CAMHS team, then we saw a pychologists for about 8 to 10 appointments throughout the summer who then told us she thought he had aspergers but she was not qualified to do a dx we then had to wait to see a psycharist and had about 4 meetings with her and then recieved the dx. This was the 5th Jan 07 basically was given a folder of information and was told I would recieved a formal letter and that our GP and school would recieve the same and that was that. Things have been pretty bad of late with Connor not sleeping and being very anxious about going out, that I went to see our GP he said I should be going back to CAMHS, on phoning them they said our case had been closed !!!!! I now have an appointment for the 19th April for Connor at CAMHS and the letter this time says the appointment is for : -

~ Find out what we need

~ Give us information about their services

~Think about whether they are the best service to help us

~ Think about the range of options available to us

I am pretty naffed off about it actually I told them and the GP that we are not coping and that Connor is getting worse and wanted to discuss options regarding medication, I've heard melatonin not only helps with sleep but can also tone down anxiety and I wanted to explore this option, but from the letter I don't know if its even worth taking Connor with me (he'll get all stressed and worried) as it just sounds a bit fact finding at least it says we are meeting with a psychologist.

 

I guess in your case dx will depend on what has already been looked into reported etc., we started out with the referral for anxiety and OCD.

 

Good luck. Please do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you want.

 

Clare x

[di30]

Hi Clare

 

Thanks again for your reply.

 

Daniel has already seen a Child Paediatrician who also said herself AS with him too but again she was not in that position to give the official diagnosis. In which these assessments with her started last June 06, and ended Jan 07. She said there was enough to go by for a referral to CAMHS and they will send a letter to me if they think we have a case and enough information for a referral.

 

I received the letter from CAMHS in Jan 07 this year in which we had to fill in the form for the waiting list, and we were surprised to even receive that then.

I rang CAMHS a fortnight back to be sure they had received the form, they informed me they have received it and that Daniel is now 2nd on the waiting list.

So how long now we will be waiting for that appointment-goodness knows.

 

It does seem like we're waiting forever and it does sound like you've been messed around.

I do hope they resolve this for you asap and things improve for you.

 

Good luck to you too, I will keep you posted. Cheers

Di x

[Clare63]

Di,

Good luck let me know how you get on.

Clare x

[di30]

Hi Clare

 

Thank you so much.

 

Actually I contacted the CAMHS dept this morning as I am curious in case the letter has already been sent and not arrived, and they informed me that Daniel is still 2nd on the list but we should receive a letter in about 4 wks time, if we haven't heard by then is to give them another ring.

 

I will keep you informed, thanks again,

Di