I was really interested that your son is being offered art as a therapy.

I volunteer with an arts organisation that provides art as therapy, but I don't think it has been offered to young people who cannot attend school. It is usually for those with special need who are in school. How did you get involved with this, and who provides it?

I hope that all these steps prove helpful.

Hi, our local Mind charity run groups for young people as they see there is a gap in provision for them. Our local mind is brilliant I have used them as has my daughter.

There hasn't been any progress this week, my son has not gone to school. We thought he was going to but he no joy. He seems quite happy in himself. which can be frustrating, not that I want him to be unhappy, but there doesn't seem to be a reason for him.not going to school.

If we could just get him through the door I think that would be a step forward. But other than bundling him into the boot of the car I don't know how!

Still not managed to get him to go for blood test either.

I hope the cahms referral doesn't take too long.

Hi Victoria

Its a hard waiting game, isn't it. i don't have a magic answer but just hope for your sake that the CAHMS referral hurries up. Try and engage with your son while he is in this mood in doing other things outside of school.
My son missed an awful lot of school but still managed to pass each year - so I am sure your son will too.
Do something nice for yourself as well....
Take care
Linda

Quick update,my son has had his blood test. The doctors phoned and asked to see us, (cue major panic!) The test revealed that his white blood cell count is low and so is iron. They have refferd him to the hospital for more tests next week. They think it might be ceoliac disease but are not sure.

Mixed emotions, he's obviously ill and thankfully it's not that serious. But is it the cause of his refusal? Also we still need to get him back into school.

Hi Victoria

Maybe this is the reason. If you are not feeling well - then attending school would be hard work.
I guess Figure out the health issue first and then work on the school. One might take care of the other. Physical and mental health go hand in hand - one can lead to the other. But fingers crossed for you that this is a step forward.
All the best for you and your son. Let us know how things go.
Take care
LInda

Update: my son was diagnosed with post viral fatigue and has been swing a specialist and a physio. His school have been useless and not offered any help or support. I had to fight to get them to refer him for home tuition. They haven't contacted us for months to see what's happening with him.
We had an appointment with the specialist this afternoon, my son said he didn't want to go back to school, and he actually cried which is the 1st time he has.

The specialist said she thinks that he has school refusal and has put a refferal into CAHMS. She told him that he should be going into school and that he has to try and go in for 1 lesson next week.

He's been off school for almost a year, how on earth can I get him back in just like that!

Not sure what to do for the best, I'm exhausted with it all!

Hi
Thanks for the update.
Did your son do the art therapy at Mind?
Try and encourage keeping in contact with friends, even on line.
Your son will need help with anxiety itself before dealing with school. Is there any chance you can home school and connect with any local home schooling groups?
I can't offer specific advice but I'd be seeing if you can find someone who deals with anxiety and cognitive behaviour therapy and also consider medication for anxiety to perhaps help ease your son forward. Keep encouraging him to interact with others and if he is housebound, try the drives and eventually a drive where he gets out and gets a drink at petrol station etc. It might sound simple vut when our kids get stuck in the house it is hard for them to re connect with the outside world, let alone school.
Try and keep up his self esteem by doing things with him inside or outside the home that doesn't mention school. School education is nt everything. Home schooling or on line schooling seems to be the answer for some kids despite the isolation. What the professionals want is our kids to go back to school and have a normal life but nine times out of ten it is not normal as they still miss school and feel isolated and as a resul their self esteem plummets.
It must be tough for you. If your son seems ok in himself, that is a good sign.
Let us know how things go.
Take care,
Linda