JenRose Report post Posted March 29, 2006 CAMHS have "arranged" for me and Dave to go on a Parenting course. We have thought that this is a cop out and especially now since we have had the private dx, dont really want to go on it. BUT, we have to be careful as we dont want to make any more enemies, they are not impressed that we have asked for a second opinion. Has anyone else been on one of these or did you refuse? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zaman Report post Posted March 29, 2006 I went on one called Parent and Child Interaction last year when my son was 4. It was good actually as it made me realise that I needed to learn how to interact with him differently to what I was doing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrieq Report post Posted March 29, 2006 We are on a course run by CAHMS and the inclusion support team in our area. I am finding it a complete waste of time and an insult to my knowledge and experience I have of my son. To be fair it is aimed at children with behavioural problems and there is only one other parent whose child has a dx of any kind. It doesn't take into account the fact that ds isn't fully in control of what he does and as such the strategies are harder to apply and less likely to have the desired effect. Our course claims that by playing non competitively with your child and praising them their behaviour will change. I do these things instinctively with ds and know it will not "cure" him. We are only doing the course so they can't turn round and say we refused help. On the positive side it does highlight areas but doesn't take into account the issues surrounding a child with ASD ADHD. Hope yours is a more positive helpful experience and directed to the needs of your son! Carrie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tez Report post Posted March 29, 2006 Have you asked the opinion of the ASD expert who diagnosed your son Monday? He seems to be your main area of support at the moment and obviously has a lot of experience of these situations, so I think I would be guided by him. I can see your dilemma, hope you resolve it to your satisfaction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PinkSapphireAngel Report post Posted March 29, 2006 I went on one ran by PP and it was a waste of time because most of their stratergies would not work on a child with ASD and when I pointed that out they did not like it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted March 29, 2006 You would get far more from the 'Help!' course run by the National Autistic Society for 2 reasons. 1. It is a very good course 2. You will meet ther parents there, and you learn a lot from talking to each other. It's also free of charge (Paid for by Vodaphone) Maybe you could suggest to CAMHS that this would be a more suitable alternative? Simon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tez Report post Posted March 29, 2006 (edited) Mosgrove's suggestion is a good one. I went on a NAS help course and it was very good at helping you analyse the reasons behind the behaviour and hence develop appropriate strategies. Whilst, I didn't feel that I learnt anything new there, most parents did and it was very well run and organised and not at all patronising. Plus they teach you about the law regarding education, how to fight for a statement, how to access grants such as the family fund, support from SS and direct payments and how to apply for DLA. Well, at least they did on the course I went on but they were saying that they were under pressure to shorten the course and might have to leave out certain bits. I wonder what "bits" they might be. Edited March 29, 2006 by Tez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JenRose Report post Posted March 29, 2006 Im going to ask him what he thinks, the other day when we told him that we are going on a parenting course he laughed and said arent you lucky!!!! I am going to contact the help course run by the NAS as well and see if we can get onto that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted March 29, 2006 Personally I think that we should be asking for programmes that are aimed at us and our children. Most of them are not. I agree with Simon here. Carole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mum22boys Report post Posted March 29, 2006 Hi, We are in a simular sort of position. Although CAMHS have told us they don't deal with M's problems! They haven't got rid of us yet and are suggesting all sorts of stupid things to try. The school nurse however has suggested a parenting course. I told her I would be happy to go on a course if they are directed at ASD problems, if not don't bother sending me on it because I know how to be a parent and i don't need 'normal' advice. Any ideas and suggestions brought up on a parenting course i know just won't work with M. he needs specialist advice. If I was you i would ask if the course is relevant to the behavioural issues that your child has. If not then i certainly wouldn't waste my time. mum22boys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaisyProudfoot Report post Posted March 29, 2006 Hi, Hubbs and I went on a Help! course yesterday - just a one day thing and it was BRILLIANT! ....... they had hob nobs! Seriously though it's worth getting on one, they are run by the NAS and the information they give you especially about the education process and the legislation and benefits re ASD is well worth it. I'm all fired up to write letters to my LEA and Social Services now .......... now for some results Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zaman Report post Posted March 29, 2006 I looked on the NAS website fot the Help course, and then PARIS, and couldn't find it. Could you post a link please if there is one? (Or just point me in the right direction if I'm being dim). Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tez Report post Posted March 29, 2006 (edited) Try here zaman for the help course. Edited March 29, 2006 by Tez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted March 29, 2006 Taken from the forum Jargon Buster - (top right hand corner of the page). help!: The NAS help! programme provides parents and full-time carers, with post-diagnostic information and advice, to develop their knowledge and understanding of autistic spectrum disorders, positive management strategies and local support services. http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=217 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
florrie Report post Posted March 30, 2006 How about some of these professionals being sent on a course run by the NAS so they understand what asd is and how it affects people, The regional coordinator offered to train any professional involved with me or my son, after MP intervention, because the understanding within services was the worst he had seen where I live, but it all seemed to die Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted March 30, 2006 Hi, Hubbs and I went on a Help! course yesterday - just a one day thing and it was BRILLIANT! ....... they had hob nobs! Well bu**er me, Daisy - I was sitting in front of you!! Wish I'd known then, we could have had a proper natter. The course was good, wasn't it? I have a friend who's done the 20 hour version and she reckoned there was a lot of wasted time in that one, so I think we were right to do the one-day course. Good point about the hob nobs, but there weren't a lot of sarnies to go round, were there?! Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaisyProudfoot Report post Posted March 30, 2006 Good point about the hob nobs, but there weren't a lot of sarnies to go round, were there?! Karen x No there weren't........... but then the poor old Blackcats aren't doing too well at the moment - what with Niall Quinn having to get involved an all .......... so I guess it's all they could afford ....... big aaahhhh! Actually we felt really guilty because one of the instructors was going on about having to fight for the last veggie sarnie, well hubbs and I are veggie and we took 2 veggie sarnies each! Well we need our strength Yeah it was an excellent course - I've already been making sure I speak to Martin using his name and in the same room and that's working and the 6-second rule kinda works too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted March 30, 2006 Sadly I did not get on Wednesday as my Mum had to be taken back to her vascular clinic as an emergency - not a real emergecny as such but she is having huge problems again with her foot. It would have been soooooo handy for me as I live on the door step - which is not something I brag about at the moment Carole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anneuk Report post Posted March 31, 2006 I was sent on a 'parenting course' about 6yrs ago.. long before J was diagnosed with AS and I felt it was just them saying to me... this is a parenting issue.... When I was their it was grim.... they were all very young single mums (I haven't anything against single mums) who basically really didn't have any parenting skills... This in my opinion who the courses should be for. I was told that i needed to 'play' with my children and to chat to them and sing to them.... I have always been very 'interactive' with my kids and am always on the floor playing and laughing and joking.... This course did me more harm than good as I came away with my self esteem in tatters.... To be told that you are doing everyhting wrong, and that you are responsible for your childs 'behavour' issues is irresponsible. it took me years to accept the fact that I didn't cause my daughters problems, and years to be able to stand up to health officials and put them straight.... The problem is, if you do stand up and stand you ground you are often labelled difficult and sometimes even aggresive (why do so many people get assertive and aggressive confused) Personally I would send these health offcials of a 'caring' course ...... JMO Anne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deb Report post Posted March 31, 2006 I attend a parenting course through CAMHS and all the children there have ASD or ADHD (or both). I think it has been helpful and I don't regret going! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Report post Posted March 31, 2006 Reading thru this it occurred to me that they ought to be begging us to DELIVER the parenting courses, not take them! Where else would they find a group of people so good at reading & understanding children - esp considering a lot of the kids can't say what they want? Deb, Glad you enjoyed your course - I think if the course is aimed specifically at helping parents with children on the spectrum then that's a good idea (esp if it is all new to the parents attending). I think most folks have an issue with being told that they need to go on a parenting course, with the insinuation being that it's their parenting that is the problem and not that the child is on the spectrum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chill2computer Report post Posted April 3, 2006 Hi They all seem to say the same thing. I went on a ADHD parent class not on a CAMS parent class. Emotion coaching, has been very helpful I felt the same way at first about parent classes. I also asked for a second opinion. It is a fight to get your child assessed. I think they are under the impression parent classes will make the problem go away. It can be very frustrating for the parents. You are doing the right thing by asking for a second opinion don?t be put off with there attitude its what they want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gordon Report post Posted April 3, 2006 CAMHS have "arranged" for me and Dave to go on a Parenting course. We have thought that this is a cop out and especially now since we have had the private dx, dont really want to go on it. BUT, we have to be careful as we dont want to make any more enemies, they are not impressed that we have asked for a second opinion. Has anyone else been on one of these or did you refuse? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gordon Report post Posted April 3, 2006 (edited) A specific course for parents of children with recent diagnosis is the NAS help! programme. It is a place for parents to share ideas and info and receive a full 100 plus page manual with useful tips and contacts. It is also free although not running all the time! Phone NASManchester office 0161 998 4667 for more details if you think it might be useful. Best wishes Gordon Edited April 3, 2006 by gordon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaisyProudfoot Report post Posted April 3, 2006 I think as Gordon points out (welcome Gordon, by the way ) the advantage of the NAS Help! programme is that they don't seek a "parenting issues" problem because they know we're all pretty superb parents anyway just coping with ASDs and the like. I certainly got a lot out of the Help! course and it's already becoming calmer in our house now that we know shouting instructions from another room gets us nowhere, neither does "don't do xxx" when he's already doing it and the 6 second rule! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pumpkinpie Report post Posted April 4, 2006 Unless the course is aimed at your childs and your own actual needs and not what experts think they are such courses are a waste of time as they errode your confidence! I am a great believer in getting as much help as poss but it has to be relevant . Otherwise it will do more harm than good. Ask what you will get out of it and the trainers experince of asd, if they dont have any forget it. I am still having problems because I said no last year, but the person they were suggesting had less idea than me and I still think would have made matters worse, hey but what do I know I am just a parent! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
