This story comes from a parent who, like many others in the East Riding, have had to deal with the emotional experience of asking for help for their child, only be told the issues "aren't seen" and services passing on the responsibility to make referral to one another. In this case the parent felt the only way to get the correct support for her child was to pay for a private assessment. Given the current cost of living crisis it's horrendous to think getting a diagnosis/help/support locked behind a 'Pay Wall'. Equally frustrating is that ERYC won't comment on the clear and apparent failings here!:
"My daughter fell apart soon after starting secondary school. She had interventions for anxiety, all of which did not help. There was no further help. I asked to be referred for an Autism assessment and was told they didn’t see the behaviours required for a referral. I pushed and was told the EP wouldn’t be involved just for a diagnosis. I went to the GP, they wrote a letter to the school to advise they couldn’t refer and it was the job of the school but they still wouldn’t refer. I ended up paying privately as my daughter was becoming overwhelmed and severely anxious. It was absolute hell and we still haven’t fully recovered from the trauma of asking for help but having every door closed, being told it was a different service who could help. Fast forward and many private assessments later she has been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia along with severe anxiety. School did not listen to my concerns as she is a masker and hides her difficulties, except for anxiety. I have formally complained to the CCG regarding no assessment pathway, this was over a year ago. I have chased and chased and apparently they are waiting for a response from ERYC. I still have no answer to the question ‘who should’ve referred her for an assessment?’ Apparently no-one!"
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