cmuir Report post Posted March 25, 2009 Hi Just thought I'd provide an update on tings Any suggestions would be welcomed. My son is 7 and has AS. His behaviour has deteriorated horrendously, to the point that I went to CAMHS mobbed handed (myself, husband, sister and mother) and told them we were at crisis point. I think they were genuinely shocked. It's taken years to get them to do anything, but finally it seems that we may have reached a turning point. They offered us family counselling, which I told them on no uncertain terms what to do with that! Frankly, there's been far too much talk and no enough direct action to help R. I also provided lots of background reports from school, etc and they then offered an emotional assessment over 4-6 sessions. This was carried out, by surprisingly, an OT over only 2 sessions (which I've questioned), however, they've said that R is extremely anxious and is showing signs of depression (his consultant thinks he may have a mood disorder ie bipolar). It seems that CAMHS are finally starting to acknowledge this. When I go back next week with R, they're going to give us medication (not sure what as yet, but may be risperidrone). CAMHS have also advised that they feel R is much higher up the autistic scale than first thought. Feel gutted that I didn't notice this (maybe I'm too close to notice!). In addition, got R enrolled onto a 10 week Social Communication Skills Programme for children with AS. Unfortunately just into week 4 staff have said that for R's own good, it's best that he stops. They did say that he was extremely anxious (I got the feeling they were holding back). Spoke to his Headteacher this morning who said that she'd been told that they'd seen the very worst of R - he was threatening staff, self harming, etc and that it was for his own safety that they felt it best to discontinue programme. Must admit that I suspect they were trying to spare my feelings, but I'm displeased that they didn't tell paint the full picture. I have asked for a full report from them and will present this to CAMHS to add weight. Sadly, it seems we've had to put R through that to prove to others how fragile he really is. We've got P4 looming and staff are agreeing that they're concerned how R will cope. I've pointed out that they've witnessed first hand how extreme R's behaviour can be when there's change. I'm genuinely worried and have been looking at ASD units. I discounted them because it's been indicated he'd only be there for 1-2 years and then reintegrated - this would upset him massively as he'd go to secondary not long after that. I'm therefore visiting a specialistic school next week, so will see how that goes. Just feel so sad for my little boy that he's been going through utter turmoil and that it's taken things to get so bad before anything's been done. It's been so hard and heartbreaking. Makes me really angry that he's been failed mainly by CAMHS and that had I no been so persistent, how things could have turned out. On a positive note, R has started karate and is loving it! Caroline. I'm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JsMum Report post Posted March 25, 2009 Sorry to hear things are not good, and that assessments are pointing to Bipolar Disorder, and Autism. I hope that you get things sorted out and that school can be found, could you look into 24hr curriculum specialist schools, especially as he has responded to the karate, Im afraid I had to stop Js tykwondo class due to his aggression triggers and what he learnt in Tykwondo didnt mix well. Though I can understand why you have got him into a karate class. I really hope that things improve. JsMumxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enid Report post Posted March 25, 2009 Just sending support and to say that I think resperidone has been a life saver for us, feel free to pm if you want to ask about it. <'> Enid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zaman Report post Posted March 26, 2009 <'> It sounds like a tough time, but hopefully at the end of it he'll get the appropriate help he needs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted March 26, 2009 Having read your post my gut feeling is that your son does not belong in mainstream education. I am sure that any LEA would like to reintegrate your son after a year or two, but that my be a battle for another day. If you have the chance to withdraw R friom his current setting into somewhere more suitable I would strongly advise you to take it as things do appear to be treaching crisis point, and the sooner he gets the help he needs, the better the outcomes in the loner term. Simon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
