Psychiatrist

[smiley]

Hello

 

We have our first meeting with the consultant psychiatrist (CAMHS) tomorrow.

 

The whole family has to go (hubs is expecting a mirrored wall and search light shined into his eyes ala 'spanish inquisition'!!).

 

Anyone been? What should we expect??

 

Thanks <'>

[fiorelli]

We went to see the CAMHS psychiatrist for the first time in January (I think).

 

I only took Louis and youngest son (middle one was in school and hubby couldn't get time off work).

 

M sat and played with the cars/road set on the floor of the room, and Louis sat next to me while the psych started asking me questions, and asking Louis questions. Louis then started flitting around the room. All the while, the psych was talking to us all, asking us all questions, and he was obviously taking notes about what Louis was doing. This meeting was just over an hour long.

 

The psych then asked if myself and hubby could come on our own to the next appointment. We then talked over the initial appointment, and hubby and I did the Gilberg questionnaire with the Psych so as he could corroborate the Paed's dx (which he did with more certainty than the paed did), and talked about meds for Louis's high arousal (possible ADHD).

 

hope this helps Smiley. Just go along and be yourselves. There's no point worrying or trying to be better/worse than you are any other day - just go along and be yourselves!

[oracle]

Smiley is the team you are seeing an ASD specific team? I ask because it really does make a difference. I know here where I live there are three teams but only one has ASD specialism. Sadly the guy fronting that team left last month So now we have no one. If you are not sure then please ask before the session begins.

 

Carole

[lil_me]

Our CAHMS Dr isn't ASD specific but she's been a godsend so far, from what I have read on this forum it really is a postcode lottery but first appointments tend to be them asking lots of questions and observing. My partner has never been as it is always when he's working or at University but she keeps asking when he can make it, just never fits in with when she has available or he gets called in.

Edited February 22, 2006 by lil_me

[Flora]

smiley,

 

It's not unusual for them to invite the whole family on the first visit.

 

We've never had a two way mirror situation. All that happened with us was that the psychiatrist spent part of the appointment with all of us, then some time with me by myself, then some time with my son by himself.... That was the first visit. I didn't feel threatened or anxious, he really put us at our ease and made it obvious that he wanted to help. This was followed by a series of assessment appointments when I took William alone, but sat outside while he was assessed. Then when the assessments were complete there was an appointment with just me when he gave me the dx. It was the same procedure with both my boys.

 

I know other people's experience is different though.

 

Hope it goes well. Will look out for your post when you've been.

 

Good Luck

 

Lauren

[redberry]

S had final assesment and dx a couple of weeks ago. Husband and I and S all in together with Psych, speech and launguage therapist and two guys training. Everyone was fantastic. S really enjoyed the whole experience.

Husb and I answered open questions, S chatted or drew, sometimes chatting to either one. They were obviously taking notes the whole time.

 

The whole two hours were very relaxed and easy.

 

Handling the dx.....not so hunky dory

 

Anyway...hope its all as relaxed for you. Let us know <'>

 

redberry

[smiley]

Hi all <'> Thank you for he replies (I tried to relpy last night - think the forum was having a strop - it wouldn't let me!!?)

 

Carole - i didnt think to ask if they were ASD specific, but i had a long (45 min) chat on the phone with one of the clinical psycologists and we discussed all of M's difficulties and she knew he has a dx of Aspergers.....So hopefully

 

I told the school we had this meeting coming up before the end of half-term. Got to school today and had three letters waiting for me to take to the meeting. One from Head/SENCO, one from M's 1-2-1 and one from class teacher . I think they're getting desperate for some help.

 

I'll let you all know how it goes

[smiley]

It went well.

 

ASD specific She asked us lots and lots and lots of questions. Asked M lots and lots of questions....

 

She had a read through the letters from school and was not too impressed with them - was horrified to hear of any behavioural modification programmes. She feels the school have not dealt with him in the correct way - and are the cause of his anxiety. She's going to call SENCO, EP and Principle SENCO. She feels that although some things are now being put in place - it's too little, too late and doesn't think it will now benefit M.

 

 

It was a real boost for me and hubby - she said we have the perfect approach for M, and were dealing with him fantastically Great to hear!!! She's going to help M with expression of emotions (not sure how though) and help us to manage his anxiety.

 

 

She has lots of knowledge of getting statements (not the usual 'medical' view) and the battles to get the right provisions in school. Wouldn't surprise me at all if she's been through something similar herself she really 'got it'. She feels the right place for M is in an Autism specific school (she even came up with a few i hadn't heard of!) ..... and is more than happy to help to get him there.

 

All sounding too good

[Tez]

Sounds great. Hope all the help she promised materialises. A's psychiatrist is great so I know how helpful they can be in educational matters.

[LindaB]

Our first session with psych involved all of us. After that just my dd and myself went and I spoke with the psychiatrist while dd went off with the clinical psychologist. I had to fill in various questionnaires. After these 2 sessions the psych wanted to do a 3Di interview. This involved me spending about 7-8 hours over 3 sessions with the psychiatrist with her inputting the answers to a computer program. This produced a provisional report with scores for different conditions. The Psych now has to analysise this report to come up with the final diagnosis. The 3Di interview was very intense and thorough and the initial diagnosis was what we expected but did come up with some unexpected results as well as AS. The psychiastrist was very friendly and completely put me at ease and I must say that it was the first time that I didn't feel that I was being regarded as a neurotic mother because dd is an only child. She could not understand why it had taken so long for us to have been referred for a diagnosis (dd is 14). I told her that I had often raised my concerns but because dd does not have demanding behaviour problems and didn't cause teachers any problems my fears were always ignored. It has only been since dd has suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome for the past 2 years that the succession of medics she has seen have agreed that all was not well.

I have found the whole assessment process quite tiring but thanks to the psychiatrist I came out the the interviews knowing I had been listened to.

[helenl53]

Hi Smiley

 

The Parkstone Gang are thrilled for you.

 

Keep fingies and tosies crossed

 

Best wishes

 

HelenL