Mental health worry in grandchild

Nandalot - what a tough time for your grandson and his fasmily. It’s shameful that so many children and families are left to struggle with what are dangerous situations

I do agree with you Sarnia. My grandson is a twin and the food he was given as a child was exactly the same as his sister’s who does not have autism. There is no way it can have been caused by diet and the theory will just cause anxiety to mothers who feel they have failed their child by providing the wrong diet.

Greenfinch

I do agree with you Sarnia. My grandson is a twin and the food he was given as a child was exactly the same as his sister’s who does not have autism. There is no way it can have been caused by diet and the theory will just cause anxiety to mothers who feel they have failed their child by providing the wrong diet.

I don't believe foods cause OCD, ADD, PoTs, autism or any Neuro Diversity - mostly genetic component - however, I think good quality low fat protein helps all children develop well, stay calm, cope.

Norah

Greenfinch

I do agree with you Sarnia. My grandson is a twin and the food he was given as a child was exactly the same as his sister’s who does not have autism. There is no way it can have been caused by diet and the theory will just cause anxiety to mothers who feel they have failed their child by providing the wrong diet.

I don't believe foods cause OCD, ADD, PoTs, autism or any Neuro Diversity - mostly genetic component - however, I think good quality low fat protein helps all children develop well, stay calm, cope.

My autistic grandson had a major issue with food when he was younger. The smell, texture or even colour of the food on his plate could cause a meltdown. Now at almost 15, he is more adventurous. Since he went to a specialised secondary school, where they recognised food as a trigger for autistics, he has learnt to cook. He has a cookery lesson every fortnight where they shop, prepare and follow a recipe. They are then encouraged to eat what they have made and it has improved his diet no end. He actually enjoys broccoli. A nutritious diet with low fat, salt & sugar is a sensible plan but as you both rightly say; food does not cause or eradicate autism.

flappergirl

Autism and neuro diversity in general is almost always genetic.

Yes, this is correct. There's a lot of nonsense about restrictive diets and peculiar movement programmes online that are alleged to 'cure' autism, dyslexia etc.

Well actually scientists are currently looking at the role of gluten in autism. This is being considered as it was noted with Coeliacs Disease gluten has to medically stopped. And a further link although still under study is looking at gluten intolerance in autism. Not to say you should change your diet but interesting studies are developing.

Just a mention, but Neurodiverse seems to be a word that everyones latched onto these days, but no one seems to have asked those who have these conditions/health problems wether that is how they would describe themselves- my son has had OCD since aged 7 (which thankfully only involves extra handwashing &showering) and other son now 21 has been waiting for cahms help since 15- has aspergers- and they both have a brain injury (prem birth) but neither of them like nor use the term neurodiverse nor use it to describe themselves or anyone else with these types of problems.It seems to be a word the media have helped to snowball the usage of.

They both do have some differing food issues but now adults have each developed their own dislikes and fondness of certain foods and i once read somewhere i think that is because they (and others with these issues) have naturally adapted their diet to what is more 'suitable' and acceptable to them.I am often cooking 3 different meals for us all but i've resigned to that to keep them fed & happy.

Has there been a change at school , a bully, a stress making event at school or home to trigger this?

So many children now a days. As with adults there is a long process to identify the root cause of behaviours and thoughts, and possible triggers.
OCD can be managed with CBT but be wary that OCD may be effect of something else .I agee that being on the autistic spectrum and need for perfection can be the cause.
Good luck in navigating this complicated path

Iam64 you are so right, I have never seen so many ads for private health insurance. Countless Americans can testify to how serious and/or long term illnesses can leave them bankrupt and destroy families - even for those that do have some insurance. Surely this is not what we want here.

Rosie04 From nearly 30 years experience of my son having Aspergers Syndrome with mild OCD to full blown OCD by 18 and him being nearly ‘sectioned’ my best advice is be kind to each other. I know it may sound unoriginal but it’s the best thing I can advise.x

I hope the parents have spoken to the SENCO (Special Need Co-ordinator) at the school, they should help with this. They can also talk to other agencies and put place in support

support in place

Nan0

Has there been a change at school , a bully, a stress making event at school or home to trigger this?

Agreed. Is the OCD evident at school? What are their observations? As this has come on suddenly recently it would be helpful to look for the trigger. It’s likely to be a person event or situation that’s driving it. If school related it may subside in the Easter holidays.

My granddaughter has symptoms of OCD which reflect her diagnosis (at 3) of autism. We had no luck with CAHMS which referred her back to the local Special Educational Needs team in our area, which has been recognised as one of the worst in England for SEND provision. They do not offer CBT to autistic children as they have no specially trained counsellors. We had to go privately but they are very much oversubscribed and cost a fortune. My GD is very resistant to change of any sort and it is an expensive struggle. Worth doing? I believe so but it would be better if she was in a more supportive school. They try to make provision for her but are constrained by the cost, as is usual in this benighted country, which seems to be happy to complain about the ‘mental health crisis’ affecting our young people while failing them at every turn! She can’t get into any of our local special needs educational establishments, which are of course full up at the moment. We support her as best we can, following the directives of her counsellor. We are hoping things will improve in the future but it is a long, hard road to tread and there is no magic solution. I think it’s a case of ‘keep on keeping on’. My very best wishes to you and your family, Rosie04.

Amalegra

My granddaughter has symptoms of OCD which reflect her diagnosis (at 3) of autism. We had no luck with CAHMS which referred her back to the local Special Educational Needs team in our area, which has been recognised as one of the worst in England for SEND provision. They do not offer CBT to autistic children as they have no specially trained counsellors. We had to go privately but they are very much oversubscribed and cost a fortune. My GD is very resistant to change of any sort and it is an expensive struggle. Worth doing? I believe so but it would be better if she was in a more supportive school. They try to make provision for her but are constrained by the cost, as is usual in this benighted country, which seems to be happy to complain about the ‘mental health crisis’ affecting our young people while failing them at every turn! She can’t get into any of our local special needs educational establishments, which are of course full up at the moment. We support her as best we can, following the directives of her counsellor. We are hoping things will improve in the future but it is a long, hard road to tread and there is no magic solution. I think it’s a case of ‘keep on keeping on’. My very best wishes to you and your family, Rosie04.

You don't happen to be unfortunate enough to be within Surrey County Council's woeful SEND system, do you? Sadly, it seems all local authorities are in the same sorry mess. The battles my family have had to secure an appropriate special needs education for 2 of my grandchildren would disgrace a 3rd world country. I never hear any of the political parties mentioning the crisis that SEND provision is in. I don't think many of them have a clue.

It’s a national scandal. Our children are amongst the most unhappy in the world. We can’t afford not to fund CAMHS and other support services
I know a number of families where grandparents are helping fund private mh assessments and treatments for their grandchildren

Although my daughter was working as a social worker we had to pay for a private assessment for autism for our grandson because the waiting list was so long. My dd is now working for CAHMS as a mental health specialist and is so frustrated with the wait all these children are having.

My boy is having issues. Sigh.
I found camhs very helpful when I spoke to them, but have no idea what will or should have happened since then.

Put the initials in wrong.
Not sure what cahms stands for.

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Thank you

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Your post is difficult to read, no punctuation and a stream of consciousness. ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ suggests you believe physical punishment is necessary when caring for children. It isn’t.
the government is a bunch of pussies
How can anyone help yiu navigate this based in the info you’ve shared?