Mental Health

[Rocket man]

I know of someone who is a psychologist who work in the school system.
Assessing children who could be on the spectrum.
Psychr

Sorry.
As I was saying. She currently works in the school system.
A psychiatrist would normally sign off on her diagnosis.

 

[Stevie]

Mate that is an absolute shit go. It’s f**ked! Glad you vented tbh. I still cannot believe the amount of fraud going on with the NDIS also. If you take money from special needs or government trying to spend here, you truly are a special kind of parasite.
My best mate has a son very in the spectrum and they’ve made great improvements through private care (he’s been spending 100k plus a year) but almost none can do that.
Autism is not going away and it’s increasing at a phenomenal rate, we need to be spending a shitload more as a society to understand
Please keep us updated on how you are travelling mate that sounds f**king frustrating.

PS My best mate has started a significant charity for Autism that has the backing of Twiggy Forest etc. happy to share privately if you ever do charity stuff with work.

 

[Blue & Gold Never Fold]

Eele, I’m a long time reader and very rare poster (lots of personal challenges). Was reading about your situation… I may be well off the mark but thought I’d throw it out there. Has your son’s hearing been tested? I only ask because some of the behaviours you’ve described are similar to what my daughter presented with. We saw so many professionals and they were convinced she was autistic. We ended up seeing a leading psych (I’ll find his name if u like) who took one look at her and said she’s not autistic, there’s something else going on. We were connected into the Westmead Children’s Hospital and after every test under the sun and her being just shy of 5, she was found to have a genetic disorder and a hearing impairment. She’s fully deaf in one ear (cochlear implant) and low level of hearing remains in the other (wears hearing aid).

 

[Eelementary]

Eele, I’m a long time reader and very rare poster (lots of personal challenges). Was reading about your situation… I may be well off the mark but thought I’d throw it out there. Has your son’s hearing been tested? I only ask because some of the behaviours you’ve described are similar to what my daughter presented with. We saw so many professionals and they were convinced she was autistic. We ended up seeing a leading psych (I’ll find his name if u like) who took one look at her and said she’s not autistic, there’s something else going on. We were connected into the Westmead Children’s Hospital and after every test under the sun and her being just shy of 5, she was found to have a genetic disorder and a hearing impairment. She’s fully deaf in one ear (cochlear implant) and low level of hearing remains in the other (wears hearing aid).

I am glad to hear that your daughter got the care she deserves.

And welcome!

Yes, he had his hearing tested - his hearing is normal for his age, thankfully.

I tell people about some of my son's meltdowns (I hate that word, but there's really no other way to put it), and they say, "Oh, that's just kids."

Well, I put my son down for bed at 8pm last night.

He had been screaming non-stop (pretty much) since then - five and a half hours of screaming, and "shutting down".

Naturally, I'm exhausted, but I'm really more concerned about him - he's vomited twice already (I assume from stress; he has a history of getting so upset, that he vomits), and I am totally out of ideas to help regulate him.

Cuddles...treats....food...screen time...playing with him...ignoring him...bath/shower...offering to let him play outside...going for a drive....nothing has worked.

I keep thinking, "He must tire eventually..."

But this is no way for him to live.

And the NDIS now want to withdraw assistance.

I will do what I can to support him, but I'm completely disillusioned that a system that's designed to aid those who need it is abandoning us.

 

[emjaycee]

I am glad to hear that your daughter got the care she deserves.

And welcome!

Yes, he had his hearing tested - his hearing is normal for his age, thankfully.

I tell people about some of my son's meltdowns (I hate that word, but there's really no other way to put it), and they say, "Oh, that's just kids."

Well, I put my son down for bed at 8pm last night.

He had been screaming non-stop (pretty much) since then - five and a half hours of screaming, and "shutting down".

Naturally, I'm exhausted, but I'm really more concerned about him - he's vomited twice already (I assume from stress; he has a history of getting so upset, that he vomits), and I am totally out of ideas to help regulate him.

Cuddles...treats....food...screen time...playing with him...ignoring him...bath/shower...offering to let him play outside...going for a drive....nothing has worked.

I keep thinking, "He must tire eventually..."

But this is no way for him to live.

And the NDIS now want to withdraw assistance.

I will do what I can to support him, but I'm completely disillusioned that a system that's designed to aid those who need it is abandoning us.

I can only sympathise with what you and your family are going through, however I suggestion for what it's worth, take your concerns and your complaints to your local MP maybe? I know they are not psychologists but the NDIS remains a government funded initiative and if you are not getting what you believe you need, your local MP has a responsibility to assist you... maybe.

 

[Legal Eel]

I am glad to hear that your daughter got the care she deserves.

And welcome!

Yes, he had his hearing tested - his hearing is normal for his age, thankfully.

I tell people about some of my son's meltdowns (I hate that word, but there's really no other way to put it), and they say, "Oh, that's just kids."

Well, I put my son down for bed at 8pm last night.

He had been screaming non-stop (pretty much) since then - five and a half hours of screaming, and "shutting down".

Naturally, I'm exhausted, but I'm really more concerned about him - he's vomited twice already (I assume from stress; he has a history of getting so upset, that he vomits), and I am totally out of ideas to help regulate him.

Cuddles...treats....food...screen time...playing with him...ignoring him...bath/shower...offering to let him play outside...going for a drive....nothing has worked.

I keep thinking, "He must tire eventually..."

But this is no way for him to live.

And the NDIS now want to withdraw assistance.

I will do what I can to support him, but I'm completely disillusioned that a system that's designed to aid those who need it is abandoning us.

It may seem trite, but is this any help:

Complaints about the NDIS Commission | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

We welcome all feedback, including complaints and suggestions. If you’re not happy with an NDIS Commission decision, in some cases you can ask for a decision to be reviewed.

www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Mind you, it's probably just more bureaucracy!

 

[Soren Lorenson]

It may seem trite, but is this any help:

Complaints about the NDIS Commission | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

We welcome all feedback, including complaints and suggestions. If you’re not happy with an NDIS Commission decision, in some cases you can ask for a decision to be reviewed.

www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Mind you, it's probably just more bureaucracy!

Just to respectfully correct this, the Commission is not actually the NDIS, it’s the oversight body. Complaints about the NDIS can be made here:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/contact/feedback-and-complaints

The Quality and Safeguards Commision investigates dodgy providers etc.
@Eelementary you should have been provided information in writing about why the NDIA have made the decision they have made, (ie the funding cut) and this info has details about how can can appeal/ or ask for a review of the decision. If you haven’t been provided with this info you need to request it. If you engage a Disability Advocate or even go to your local member you need to have this documentary evidence to assist your case.

 

[Eelementary]

I can only sympathise with what you and your family are going through, however I suggestion for what it's worth, take your concerns and your complaints to your local MP maybe? I know they are not psychologists but the NDIS remains a government funded initiative and if you are not getting what you believe you need, your local MP has a responsibility to assist you... maybe.

Definitely.

I sent them an email this morning, on my 3 hours' sleep.

Suffice it to say that it was not a positive email...

 

[Eelementary]

It may seem trite, but is this any help:

Complaints about the NDIS Commission | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

We welcome all feedback, including complaints and suggestions. If you’re not happy with an NDIS Commission decision, in some cases you can ask for a decision to be reviewed.

www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Mind you, it's probably just more bureaucracy!

Thanks, mate - anything that can shine a light on the NDIS's failures is a positive, in my eyes.

 

[Eelementary]

Just to respectfully correct this, the Commission is not actually the NDIS, it’s the oversight body. Complaints about the NDIS can be made here:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/contact/feedback-and-complaints

The Quality and Safeguards Commision investigates dodgy providers etc.
@Eelementary you should have been provided information in writing about why the NDIA have made the decision they have made, (ie the funding cut) and this info has details about how can can appeal/ or ask for a review of the decision. If you haven’t been provided with this info you need to request it. If you engage a Disability Advocate or even go to your local member you need to have this documentary evidence to assist your case.

Believe it or not, this NDIS provider has been appalling at proving documentation - they even billed the funding for daycare visits when the case worker was off sick...

I have requested the information from them, because I intend to appeal their decision.

They cannot reasonably tell us that our funding will be cut, when a vulnerable little boy is left in the dust.

 

[Gronk]

Shout out to Dan Repacholi, former FIVE TIME olympian shooter and returned member for Hunter.

Albo has appointed him as a new position: Special Envoy for Men's Health.

7m interview on the ABC here.

Meet Australia's first Special Envoy for Men's Health - ABC listen

The Prime Minister's cabinet has officially been sworn in this week, and complementing the freshly-appointed front-bench is seven 'special envoys'. Filling the newly-created role of Special Envoy for Men's Health is Dan Repacholi, who is also the returned federal member for Hunter and is a...

www.abc.net.au

.

 

[Snoochies]

Here to vent. Today my 11 yo started cutting herself. If we back up 2 months ago she was perfectly happy. We have had indications of anxiety throughout her younger years and despite some lapses, has been managed well.
She got dared to ask a boy out and he rejected her and made fun of her and ever since its been spiralling down. Our daughter use to come to us and talk or if we asked if something was wrong she'd open up but now she has shut us off completely. We tell our kids that we will periodically check their ipads etc so I mentioned Id check and she writes alot to her friends about hows shes feeling and when brought up she stays silent. Her friends group had been good but now she has friends in that group who openly talk about suicide and cutting, and now my daughter is doing it. We're restricting the ipad tonight but she'll be allowed to speak with trusted friends only, got her booked for a GP tomorrow and this will be all under protest from her but Dad instinct knows better here. Theres alot more to the story than this but this just helped me speak it out. Props to all the dads and mums out there doing their best. Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk.

 

[eels_fan]

Really sorry to hear that.
It’s horrible to hear that self-harm is even a concept that an 11 year old would even have thoughts of, let alone that it’s openly spoken about
What communication apps are you allowing her to use? We’ve only ever allowed our son (12) to use apps that we have full control over who he can message, and also full access to (kids messenger).
We’ve always also stressed with our son that suicide isn’t an option in life. There is always help, things will always get better no matter how hard they may seem in a moment in time.
A great child psychologist is probably needed - really helped our son with anxiety and school pressures with coping mechanisms
I don’t have any specific advice but I wish your family the absolute best.
Parenting these days is fraught with challenges our parents didn’t need to deal with

 

[Snoochies]

Really sorry to hear that.
It’s horrible to hear that self-harm is even a concept that an 11 year old would even have thoughts of, let alone that it’s openly spoken about
What communication apps are you allowing her to use? We’ve only ever allowed our son (12) to use apps that we have full control over who he can message, and also full access to (kids messenger).
We’ve always also stressed with our son that suicide isn’t not an option in life. There is always help, things will always get better no matter how hard they may seem in a moment in time.
A great child psychologist is probably needed - really helped our son with anxiety and school pressures with coping mechanisms
I don’t have any specific advice but I wish your family the absolute best.
Parenting these days is fraught with challenges our parents didn’t need to deal with

Cheers man. Yeah its only messenger kids, everything else is restricted and monitored. It's a couple of friends that seem to have put the thoughts in her head. One of her friends dad committed suicide when she was 6 so she's really broken and acting out and one other friend openly talks about suicide. The friend whose dad died sent her Papa Roach Last Resort the other day and here we are. Which sucks, I love that song and know the meaning behind it but it seems its given my daughter permission. It also quickly made sure I turn off explicit content on spotify, I missed that bit. We have a GP appointment tomorrow and the wife is speaking to the school councilor today. It just sucks that my daughter won't open up even though she knows we know. But it's gotten to the stage we have to take action.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Here to vent. Today my 11 yo started cutting herself. If we back up 2 months ago she was perfectly happy. We have had indications of anxiety throughout her younger years and despite some lapses, has been managed well.
She got dared to ask a boy out and he rejected her and made fun of her and ever since its been spiralling down. Our daughter use to come to us and talk or if we asked if something was wrong she'd open up but now she has shut us off completely. We tell our kids that we will periodically check their ipads etc so I mentioned Id check and she writes alot to her friends about hows shes feeling and when brought up she stays silent. Her friends group had been good but now she has friends in that group who openly talk about suicide and cutting, and now my daughter is doing it. We're restricting the ipad tonight but she'll be allowed to speak with trusted friends only, got her booked for a GP tomorrow and this will be all under protest from her but Dad instinct knows better here. Theres alot more to the story than this but this just helped me speak it out. Props to all the dads and mums out there doing their best. Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk.

That's really tough mate. My daughter used to cut. She was a bit older and for different reasons but still. It was a long dark tunnel and I'll admit I didn't always understand and so I handled it poorly at times. One thing I definitely know now is that self harm can be very different to suicidal thoughts. I think you are doing the right thing so far. f**k.

 

[Eelementary]

Here to vent. Today my 11 yo started cutting herself. If we back up 2 months ago she was perfectly happy. We have had indications of anxiety throughout her younger years and despite some lapses, has been managed well.
She got dared to ask a boy out and he rejected her and made fun of her and ever since its been spiralling down. Our daughter use to come to us and talk or if we asked if something was wrong she'd open up but now she has shut us off completely. We tell our kids that we will periodically check their ipads etc so I mentioned Id check and she writes alot to her friends about hows shes feeling and when brought up she stays silent. Her friends group had been good but now she has friends in that group who openly talk about suicide and cutting, and now my daughter is doing it. We're restricting the ipad tonight but she'll be allowed to speak with trusted friends only, got her booked for a GP tomorrow and this will be all under protest from her but Dad instinct knows better here. Theres alot more to the story than this but this just helped me speak it out. Props to all the dads and mums out there doing their best. Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk.

I can't even imagine what you, and your family, are going through.

But you made the right decision to seek professional help.

Your daughter may not understand it now, but when she's older, she'll be so grateful to have such an amazing dad.

I wish you all the best, and please reach out if you need anything.

 

[the phantom menace]

f**k, that's tough. From all apples to self harm in the space two months... and the daughter stuck in a situation where she won't open up to her parents about her feelings and thoughts around it all (yet).

My daughter's a similar age and it would freak me out - think your next steps are exactly what is needed (all you can do), and fingers crossed.

 

[Rocket man]

Cheers man. Yeah its only messenger kids, everything else is restricted and monitored. It's a couple of friends that seem to have put the thoughts in her head. One of her friends dad committed suicide when she was 6 so she's really broken and acting out and one other friend openly talks about suicide. The friend whose dad died sent her Papa Roach Last Resort the other day and here we are. Which sucks, I love that song and know the meaning behind it but it seems its given my daughter permission. It also quickly made sure I turn off explicit content on spotify, I missed that bit. We have a GP appointment tomorrow and the wife is speaking to the school councilor today. It just sucks that my daughter won't open up even though she knows we know. But it's gotten to the stage we have to take action.

Terrible situation.
Your doing the best thing for her.

 

[Snoochies]

So we had a great change last night. We spoke to our daughter and she was shut down as usual but when we said we are going to make changes in regards to contacts on Kids Messenger and some other changes. This broke her down, she wasn't happy and we left her to sit with it. Probably an hour later she came out a changed person and opened up. She told her friends what was happening and we were taking her to the GP and she opened upto her friends that she needed this, she was sick of hurting and wants to be a happy girl again. The kicker in this is that this also got her friends to reach out to their parents for help and they are all heading to the school Phsych next week together. That was crazy, the ripple effect and the simple act of my daughter being brave enough to tell them she needed help started a ripple effect. She's been way more open with us today, it feels like I have my daughter back.

Appreciate you guys listening, never give up, go with your gut especially as parents. It's not over but we found a turning point.

 

[Gronk]

So we had a great change last night. We spoke to our daughter and she was shut down as usual but when we said we are going to make changes in regards to contacts on Kids Messenger and some other changes. This broke her down, she wasn't happy and we left her to sit with it. Probably an hour later she came out a changed person and opened up. She told her friends what was happening and we were taking her to the GP and she opened upto her friends that she needed this, she was sick of hurting and wants to be a happy girl again. The kicker in this is that this also got her friends to reach out to their parents for help and they are all heading to the school Phsych next week together. That was crazy, the ripple effect and the simple act of my daughter being brave enough to tell them she needed help started a ripple effect. She's been way more open with us today, it feels like I have my daughter back.

Appreciate you guys listening, never give up, go with your gut especially as parents. It's not over but we found a turning point.

Well done mate.

Sometimes GP's are not in the same universe of age group of kids and a better place for kids to vent and get good advice is Headspace. I have had a little to do with Headspace via my volunteer work with RUOK and can vouch for the people there. The counsellors there are like big brothers / sisters and connect pretty easy with kids. They help them navigate the rollercoaster and give them tips and skills.

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

headspace is here for you. Whether you need information or someone to talk to – we’ll connect you with expert support for your mental health and wellbeing.

headspace.org.au

Also, when you go on the website, the first page has a toggle where you declare that you are a young person OR support a young person. It opens up so many resources for us parents/guardians.