Kaleidoscope

"My child was never put forward for a ASD assessment despite the tell tell signs and evidence was there. The lady dismissed my child’s needs and down played my child’s needs even though we knew he had autism. We finally got fed up going around in circles while our child suffers and didn’t get the support needed so we paid for a private professional ASD assessment only for the specialists to declare what we knew already that my child has ASD. As a parent ASD is not hard to recognise when your child has this problem yet those who were suppose to help him and refer him dismissed and neglected he’s need for an assessment. For what reason? Could it have something to do with funds? Or Because to them my child did not deserved to be referred? Or is it that a melanated child like mine is not Billy or Sam so let him live with it!!!! Disgusting service. If you do not think they are mistaken them please go private and don’t let your child suffer."

"A fantastic service, compassionate staff and more importantly exceptional doctors, therapists, and all the healthcare professionals you need to help with your child growth. My son had speech delays - as a result, I was here many times with my little one to meet speech therapists, occupational therapists, portage, paediatricians, audiologists etc. Every time we were here with our son we had a wonderful experience and we thank each and every one of them at Kaleidoscope for that. Waiting for the appointment there is comfortable too, considering their calm playful spaces for both children and adults. I want to especially talk about my experience with two speech therapists (I think I cannot mention any names) - first Ms H when my son was very little and then Ms N when my son started to speak. We feel blessed to have worked with them. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and crafting my son's treatment plan in detail, making it easy for us to follow. Also thank you for your approach to training us parents to get better at facilitating our children's growth. Thank you for all the extra care and patience. God bless you all. Thank you very much."

"So I was referred by gp and they said it was a year waiting and then I attempted and then I got an appointment straight away. So only if In emergency then they will speed the waiting list. I used to go every week got a “councillor” and before I had her there was this lady who told me if I continued I would go to a “mental institute” and stay there and “you don’t want to go there as there are crazy and more sick patients there” etc. Then I had E and still do. It’s okay but due to covid-19 we only have phone calls and even after my recent attempt they still only do phone call appointments."

"Had a phone call and a letter posted saying my child had an appointment. Got to the appointment early and was told to wait only to be called back to say there is no appointment for my child as it was cancelled weeks ago!!! No phone call or letter to let anyone know! I took a day off work and payed for holiday club for my other child just to be told it was a waste of time and money staff didn't seem to bother just you'll have to wait an average of 4 more months for the next appointment.... We waited a year for this 1!!"

"Pretty useless really. My first daughter didn’t find them of much use for her condition. My second daughter first went there at about 13-14 years old. She went for 1-2 years, had 3 therapists and a psychiatrist who said he could do nothing for her and discharged her with all her problems. Her last therapist used to use her therapy sessions to make her sit there and do colouring!?!? When she was re-referred with increasing problems with her hallucinations, we were finally moved from kaleidoscope to LYPS. They were much better, but at 18 was discharged and now never leaves the house. My third daughter was referred by the GP for depression and self harming. Waited months for CAMHS to respond, then received a letter saying she might have to wait around 6 months. So 5 months from our original referral, my daughter tries to kill herself. Only then, do we get to see someone with no guarantee of therapy. GP’s leave children suffering with their mental health, with no medication or support (GP’s won’t prescribe anything for kids), and CAMHS don’t want to know. I bet there are lots of children in the lewisham borough who have taken their own lives, whilst waiting for treatment, but CAMHS probably see that as a bonus! One more off their list! Useless service"