Help - My Brother's 15 yo kid is in some trouble

dancingfairy

A list of people that may/may not be able to help you but I thought I'd throw it out there:
YOT - youth affending team - surely they aim to reduce youth affending. Do they have any schemes suitable for him?
Princes Trust?
Breaking the Cycle/Homeless Foyers
Connexions?
Youth Worker?
Police Support workers - can they refer you /him for any support/programmes?
PRU? People's referal unit? (or whatever they are now called for kids that have been kicked out of school).

If he's been kicked out of school I would have thought the local authority needs to be looking at some kind of suitable provision for him.
Keep fighting and knocking on everyone's doors until you get the help he needs.
df

pension-newbie

Thank you all.

This is very helpful - as much the sympathy and shared experience as the helpful practical advice.

Yorkie1

I appreciate that ADHD is different from autism / aspergers, but you might find some useful information on this webpage:
http://www.autism.org.uk/working-with/criminal-justice.aspx

There's a couple of useful links in the drop-down menu on the left, don't overlook them too.

meritaten

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I appreciate that ADHD is different from autism / aspergers, but you might find some useful information on this webpage:
http://www.autism.org.uk/working-with/criminal-justice.aspx

There's a couple of useful links in the drop-down menu on the left, don't overlook them too.

Sorry, but why do you think ADHD is different from Autism or Aspergers?
The latest information I have, is from my grandsons consultant who says that Aspergers is about to be dropped as a Diagnosis and included as an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) along with ADHD and some other Acronyms (can't remember which ones).
It seems there is some argument among psychiatrists about diagnosing disorders in isolation as so many have overlapping symptoms - easier to just diagnose along a 'Spectrum'.
Whether this is the consultants 'wishful thinking' or is actually happening I am not sure..........I do know from my own research many many people agree that 'isolated diagnosis' can be detrimental as other problems are then overlooked.

mrs_sparrow

meritaten wrote: »

Sorry, but why do you think ADHD is different from Autism or Aspergers?
The latest information I have, is from my grandsons consultant who says that Aspergers is about to be dropped as a Diagnosis and included as an ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) along with ADHD and some other Acronyms (can't remember which ones).
It seems there is some argument among psychiatrists about diagnosing disorders in isolation as so many have overlapping symptoms - easier to just diagnose along a 'Spectrum'.
Whether this is the consultants 'wishful thinking' or is actually happening I am not sure..........I do know from my own research many many people agree that 'isolated diagnosis' can be detrimental as other problems are then overlooked.

I do think that the 2 conditions are quite different however, there are certain aspects of the conditions that overlap - kids with Aspergers do not need medication for example so where would they draw the line? Giving the kids with ASD medication anyway?

Our consultant peadiatrician is absolutely rubbish and if we see her it might be once in a blue moon and she could not be less bothered about the kids under her care, however, if they start to break down the conditions then the problems the child have will not get dealt with at all - certinaly not as they should be anyhow. I wonder if this is paving a way to try and medicate kids with Aspergers too. At the last group meeting I went to there had been rumblings about medicating all kids with ASD which went down like a lead brick!!

We have been given ADHD & ASD as a diagnosis while we wait for a more detailed appointment to find out where he is on the spectrum. I am about to be asked to be referred elsewhere as I feel the local NHS are not bothered with my son - pump him full of drugs and cast him aside. I am seeing a different GP this time so we will see where this gets us.

daska

The consultant is probably referring to the proposed revisions in DSM-V which would remove aspergers as a specific diagnosis.

http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=97

It was my understanding though that ADHD specific medications only work as wanted with ADHD, I.e. they dis/prove the diagnosis, if they work it is, if they don't it isn't. Also I know of two ADHD boys where, when the ADHD was successfully medicated, the ASD symptoms became magnified. So it really isn't as simple as blanket medication for all. Other medications are less specific e.g. Melatonin for sleep regulation, according to the NHS is for the over 55s, and the first medication the EP asked about when discussing my then 4 yr old.

meritaten

mrs_sparrow wrote: »

I do think that the 2 conditions are quite different however, there are certain aspects of the conditions that overlap - kids with Aspergers do not need medication for example so where would they draw the line? Giving the kids with ASD medication anyway?

Our consultant peadiatrician is absolutely rubbish and if we see her it might be once in a blue moon and she could not be less bothered about the kids under her care, however, if they start to break down the conditions then the problems the child have will not get dealt with at all - certinaly not as they should be anyhow. I wonder if this is paving a way to try and medicate kids with Aspergers too. At the last group meeting I went to there had been rumblings about medicating all kids with ASD which went down like a lead brick!!


We have been given ADHD & ASD as a diagnosis while we wait for a more detailed appointment to find out where he is on the spectrum. I am about to be asked to be referred elsewhere as I feel the local NHS are not bothered with my son - pump him full of drugs and cast him aside. I am seeing a different GP this time so we will see where this gets us.

my Grandson was diagnosed as Aspergers and prescribed Equasim and Melitonin (sp) over two years ago. Drugs have long been prescribed for both Aspergers and Autism depending on the symptoms.
You do seem to have a downer on medication - why? since being on medication my grandson has slept better, coped better and is very much happier.

If you want a diagnosis but are not prepared to accept medication - why are you bothering? what is the problem with medication?

My grandaughter has recently been diagnosed as ADHD - she has been prescribed Ritalin - even in the last month it has helped her- she is much calmer and able to focus and concentrate in school.

The RIGHT diagnosis and the RIGHT medication is invaluable.

mrs_sparrow

I think you are missing the point M - I am not down on medication, I am down on the doctors prescribing it to every child on the spectrum as it is not needed for every child on the spectrum. It is (generally) required by all children that have ADHD.

If your GS is on Equasym I would ask you check why if he does not have an ADHD diagnosis. You say it varies on the symptoms - yes, symptoms of ADHD. I know many, many children from our support group with just Aspergers and none of them are on medication.

Equasym is a stimulant and is the first drug that my son was prescribed - it did not really work for him but we have to find a private doctor to change it because the NHS one could 'not find the time' to do anything other than write a prescription for Equasym - in the ADHD brain the medication regulates things and makes the child calmer and able to concentrate - if the child does not have ADHD then it has the opposite effect. So I would be questioning whether your GS has an ADHD diagnosis as you have not mentioned it there.

If he does not have ADHD then it would have the opposite effect - do you see what I mean? Daska already explained this.

My son has Melatonin but I bought it myself from the internet as it is nigh on impossible to see our consultant so, after speaking to someone from a support group, I bought some myself. He does not have it every day, just if he is having trouble settling.

I am down on the fact that SOME consultants give children drugs as an 'easy fix' and pump out the repeat prescriptions without any checks on weight or height or checking to see whether the medication is suitable for them. This happens a lot in this area and it is totally unacceptable.

A blanket diagnosis of ASD will inevitably mean kids who do not need medication may be prescribed it without the relevent checks required as to what the medication is doing to them. When I called and said it was not working their reply was 'give him 2 then'. This was by the secretary. Yet my friends son ended up with heart problems because of the medication. Checks are vital, but for some doctors, they see your child once every 2 years and think this is acceptable. Sorry, but it is not.

I've been through endless talks and sessions by our support group and also several courses regarding ADHD and ASD over the last 5 years covering these conditions, medications and their effects. My son has been medication for more than 3 years, he needs them to get through school, I have no illusions of that but not every ASD child needs medicating and as doctors do not have time to do follow up checks on the children it's asking for a whole load of trouble to stick all kids under the same umbrella. IMO.

meritaten

mrs_sparrow wrote: »

I think you are missing the point M - I am not down on medication, I am down on the doctors prescribing it to every child on the spectrum as it is not needed for every child on the spectrum. It is (generally) required by all children that have ADHD.

If your GS is on Equasym I would ask you check why if he does not have an ADHD diagnosis. You say it varies on the symptoms - yes, symptoms of ADHD. I know many, many children from our support group with just Aspergers and none of them are on medication.

Equasym is a stimulant and is the first drug that my son was prescribed - it did not really work for him but we have to find a private doctor to change it because the NHS one could 'not find the time' to do anything other than write a prescription for Equasym - in the ADHD brain the medication regulates things and makes the child calmer and able to concentrate - if the child does not have ADHD then it has the opposite effect. So I would be questioning whether your GS has an ADHD diagnosis as you have not mentioned it there.

If he does not have ADHD then it would have the opposite effect - do you see what I mean? Daska already explained this.

My son has Melatonin but I bought it myself from the internet as it is nigh on impossible to see our consultant so, after speaking to someone from a support group, I bought some myself. He does not have it every day, just if he is having trouble settling.

I am down on the fact that SOME consultants give children drugs as an 'easy fix' and pump out the repeat prescriptions without any checks on weight or height or checking to see whether the medication is suitable for them. This happens a lot in this area and it is totally unacceptable.

A blanket diagnosis of ASD will inevitably mean kids who do not need medication may be prescribed it without the relevent checks required as to what the medication is doing to them. When I called and said it was not working their reply was 'give him 2 then'. This was by the secretary. Yet my friends son ended up with heart problems because of the medication. Checks are vital, but for some doctors, they see your child once every 2 years and think this is acceptable. Sorry, but it is not.

I've been through endless talks and sessions by our support group and also several courses regarding ADHD and ASD over the last 5 years covering these conditions, medications and their effects. My son has been medication for more than 3 years, he needs them to get through school, I have no illusions of that but not every ASD child needs medicating and as doctors do not have time to do follow up checks on the children it's asking for a whole load of trouble to stick all kids under the same umbrella. IMO.

Your post is full of inaccuracies about the medications - and you do seem to contradict yourself.

I think I need say no more as your post has said it all for me!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

mrs_sparrow wrote: »

I think you are missing the point M - I am not down on medication, I am down on the doctors prescribing it to every child on the spectrum as it is not needed for every child on the spectrum. It is (generally) required by all children that have ADHD.

If your GS is on Equasym I would ask you check why if he does not have an ADHD diagnosis. You say it varies on the symptoms - yes, symptoms of ADHD. I know many, many children from our support group with just Aspergers and none of them are on medication.

Equasym is a stimulant and is the first drug that my son was prescribed - it did not really work for him but we have to find a private doctor to change it because the NHS one could 'not find the time' to do anything other than write a prescription for Equasym - in the ADHD brain the medication regulates things and makes the child calmer and able to concentrate - if the child does not have ADHD then it has the opposite effect. So I would be questioning whether your GS has an ADHD diagnosis as you have not mentioned it there.

If he does not have ADHD then it would have the opposite effect - do you see what I mean? Daska already explained this.

My son has Melatonin but I bought it myself from the internet as it is nigh on impossible to see our consultant so, after speaking to someone from a support group, I bought some myself. He does not have it every day, just if he is having trouble settling.

I am down on the fact that SOME consultants give children drugs as an 'easy fix' and pump out the repeat prescriptions without any checks on weight or height or checking to see whether the medication is suitable for them. This happens a lot in this area and it is totally unacceptable.

A blanket diagnosis of ASD will inevitably mean kids who do not need medication may be prescribed it without the relevent checks required as to what the medication is doing to them. When I called and said it was not working their reply was 'give him 2 then'. This was by the secretary. Yet my friends son ended up with heart problems because of the medication. Checks are vital, but for some doctors, they see your child once every 2 years and think this is acceptable. Sorry, but it is not.

I've been through endless talks and sessions by our support group and also several courses regarding ADHD and ASD over the last 5 years covering these conditions, medications and their effects. My son has been medication for more than 3 years, he needs them to get through school, I have no illusions of that but not every ASD child needs medicating and as doctors do not have time to do follow up checks on the children it's asking for a whole load of trouble to stick all kids under the same umbrella. IMO.

if youve had serious problems in getting more appointments then follow the procedure for complaint through you local health board.


i suspect because of your experience you put it down as a national problem.

my daughter will be checked every 4 months by pead psyciatric consultant, and every 6 months in occupational therepy for sensory and motor function.

Equasym seems to be a hit an miss med it works for some while not work for others, its not accross the board these children dont need meds for ASD its a case of trial and error and case by case situation.

if the low dose of it doesnt work, then yes increase the dose under authorisation to the max safe limit, untill that time its reviewed by a specialist it can then be deemed as inaffective.

you do have to keep ontop of the system, if you not happy make complaints, it the only time they know your not going to go away and take a fob off lying down.

a consultant that does not care for her patients is a consultant that needs a wake up call to be told either follow up on proceedures and follow them to the T or your in the wrong job, and complaints the LHB more often about a specific consultant will have the LHB review that consultants practices (by way of having a baby sitter in with her plus review her follow ratio on his/her file fo patients).

our consultant was of the she's just naughty veriety, untill things were put in black and white that was prepared by me and presented to him to fully read over, then the initial diagnosis of ADHD was given, we were given the option of medication, me and my partner talked alot about this in the past, and decided we would give it a test, it has helped her, ritilin (sp) but its at a low entry stage dose where we were told, its just to see if she has any reaction to it, then it will be upped till she has stablised and made significant improvementm if not then we will move onto the next available drug, if that doesnt work then he will ensure the school betters her setting so she can concerntrate with less to distract.

we are still experienceing some difficulty with my daughter to wich i have video documented so i can present it at the next meeting with her consultant.

support groups ive attended has tried drumming into my head that meds are not required, the health risks involved makes them not work taking, that i should alter my approach to ADHD ASD and so on.

my argument is eventhough the risks are there, the effects of the meds can outweigh the risk in so many posetive ways.
in the groups attended it was all about how to adjust home life to prevent the blow outs, but you cant do that in school where your child has set rules they dont understand and comprehend and end up trying to supress every bit of frustration they have and release it at home, so whilst your builing on things at home, your battling with school thats undoing allot of that hard work to set an enviroment thats calming and stimulating and routine.