Neurodiversity
"It's okay for us to admit that being Autistic is a core part of who we are. The problem is that when we are faced by services like CAMHS, we can feel reduced to our struggles, rather than the things that make us like ourselves..."
Neurodiversity
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have significantly long wait times, with over 400,000 children on waiting lists as of May 2023. Autistic children face worsened mental health, increased crisis risk, disrupted development, and reduced service engagement. To improve wait times, ther
Mental Health Treatment Rights
Your child has been referred to CAMHS, but what are you supposed to do now? This article contains advice on interactions and questions you should be asking professionals.
Neurodiversity
"Psychosis adds an interesting spiciness to this experience. When I start sinking, my brain tells me that someone else is pulling me under. This is the type of delusions I experience. They are persecutory in nature, meaning that my mind creates elaborate and bizarre conspiracies in which I am the vi
Mental Health Treatment Rights
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the UK have been failing Autistic children, leading to tragic outcomes. At least 46 children died under CAMHS care, with inadequate community support contributing to further deaths post-discharge. Autistic individuals face a higher risk of suici
Autism
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have repeatedly failed Autistic children, particularly through diagnostic overshadowing. This practice involves attributing symptoms to autism, denying necessary support, exacerbating trauma, and contributing to elevated suicide risks. Families als
Neurodiversity
As I write this, our petition to try and trigger positive change in CAMHS for the way the treat Autistic children sits at around 212,000 signatures. That is not far off of a quarter of a million people for whom their systemic failures are more than a story or
Autistic Wellbeing
Autism and substance use is an area that received little discussion in wider society. In my own experience, their is an assumption that Autistic people are less likely to use drugs, however growing bodies of research are beginning to show what I have said for many year; substance use is
Trauma
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are notorious for failing to support Autistic children and young people. I have recently explored that Autistic families have a particularly difficult time accessing their services. One of the most common reactions from CAMHS professionals working with Autistic service users is that the
Neurodiversity
Mental Health Awareness Week leaves Autistic people feeling unheard and ignored. Despite years of advocating for better mental health support, Autistic individuals still face systemic barriers. This week should be more than just raising awareness – it's time to demand systemic change and meaningful
Neurodiversity
Autistic families face significant barriers when seeking support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with only 10% of patients being Autistic despite 70% of Autistic children experiencing mental health issues. The service lacks accessibility, attentiveness, and understanding of
General Wellbeing
This article highlights the failure of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in providing appropriate support to Autistic children and young people, leading to devastating outcomes. The lack of resources, staff competence, and understanding of neurodivergent experiences contribute to t