"I felt dismissed and that my opinion, views or thoughts were irrelevant"

About: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) / Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – Community(County)

(as the patient),

On my first appointment was told my son would not be on the ASD spectrum as he was too sociable. Next appointment was referred to speech therapist and CAHMS. Neither service would see us. On third appointment the paediatrician had questionnaire from a nursery he attended 6 times for four hours. Was told to totally disregard everything everyone else thought and said and only listen to this nursery. I felt dismissed and that my opinion, views or thoughts were irrelevant. Felt from the very first appointment that the paediatrician made assumptions about me and my little one. Basically got impression the paediatrician was putting it down to my parenting skills rather than anything else.

I spoke to NAS and it seems the paediatrician is not following NICE guidelines. From hearing from others the assessment of my little one may not be following guidelines. The paediatrician has been unwilling to hear from anyone else and has not seen him in other settings. I have since spoken to a private consultant and though he is too young for a diagnosis I am paying for a private ADOS assessment as I believe if I ask to see another paediatrician I will be dismissed and viewed negatively.

On one hand I don't want him to be labelled unnecessarily but equally I would like some understanding of some strange things that are happening. I feel there is no point saying anything or doing anything until we have a private assessment as I believe I am being dismissed due to my previous history and current diagnosis of Aspergers. The last appointment felt very dismissive because nursery wrote and backed up what this person had already made their mind up on on the first appointment. Anything anyone or I could or would say seemed unimportant and irrelevant. This last appointment came across as a waste of time.

I believe I have no option but to pay for a private assessment to determine whether it is indeed my parenting skills or whether there is potentially anything else contributing to some behaviours. Possibly either way if another professional has input then maybe the current paediatrician will be more open minded rather than make assumptions.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jane Danforth, Involvement & Experience Officer, Involvement, Experience and Volunteering Team, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 10 years ago
Jane Danforth
Involvement & Experience Officer, Involvement, Experience and Volunteering Team,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

My role includes working with service users, carers, volunteers and staff to listen to your stories and feedback about care experiences. Working in partnership with Care Opinion is one way we gather feedback, meaning we find out what we do well and how you think we should improve. We really do want to hear from you and we reply to every story.

Submitted on 02/12/2013 at 15:37
Published on Care Opinion at 16:29


picture of Jane Danforth

I was so very sorry to read your account of our services, I have contacted the services you mentioned and I have asked for a reply.

We take all feedback seriously and try at all times to listen to what people say.

It is therefore really concerning to hear that you felt dismissed and irrelevant.

Please be reassured that we will make every effort to offer you an opportunity to discuss your feedback regarding your son's treatment in whatever way you prefer.

Yours sincerely

Jane

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Wayne Bradford, Service Manager, Specialist Services Directorate, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust 10 years ago
Wayne Bradford
Service Manager, Specialist Services Directorate,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust

Manage a mix of therapeutic services

Submitted on 03/12/2013 at 15:11
Published on Care Opinion at 20:30


I am concerned to read your posting and would like to discuss this further. From your text it seems that CAMHS did not see your son and I would like to explore this further.

If you would like to contact the office on 0115 8440512 I would be happy to look into this.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by lychnis (the patient)

This issue is still ongoing, with similar difficulties, seems even in a year nothing changes

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k