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Fear of and Necessity for Labels

Jim V - mod

AndrewC posted this discussion in the guide, before I realised my mistake in how they were written. So I'm just creating this on his behalf so people can respond to the message.

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I know a number of people are put of going for early diagnosis because they fear labelling their child or are not themselves emotionally ready for that label.

Unfortunately, labels can also be necessary/hugely beneficial in accessing the right support services for your child, particularly re education.

 

Perhaps this would be a good thread for people to share what their concerns were/are about going for diagnosis, and whether obtaining a diagnosis has been positive or negative overall?

Parents

  • Having a diagnosis made a huge difference to my ability to cope with other people's reactions to my son, and to my confidence when taking him out. Instead of trying to give some long garbled explanation as to the nature of his difficulties I could now just say he has autism. For many people, that information was enough and they gave both him and me the leeway we needed to function in mainstream situations (such as groups at the children's centre). Where people wanted more info the knowledge I had gained as a result of my son's diagnosis meant I was able to provide it.

    I then made a point of talking to some local groups I was involved in explaining what autism was, debunking some myths, explaining that when they see a school age child having a tantrum that child may have autism or another SEN and it's wrong to assume they are spoilt and blame the parents. And I would say to them that you don't expect a person in a wheelchair to just get up and walk - you make allowances for them. Similarly you can't just expect someone with ASD to "fit in" you need to make allowances for them in the same way as you do for a visible disability.

    A diagnosis has also meant my family have adapted to his needs much more, more support and training has been available to me as a parent - the NAS workshop on sensory issues has been hugely beneficial, for example - and my son is now in a special achool where his needs are met, he is happy and at the same time he is challeneged academically where he is able.

Reply

  • Having a diagnosis made a huge difference to my ability to cope with other people's reactions to my son, and to my confidence when taking him out. Instead of trying to give some long garbled explanation as to the nature of his difficulties I could now just say he has autism. For many people, that information was enough and they gave both him and me the leeway we needed to function in mainstream situations (such as groups at the children's centre). Where people wanted more info the knowledge I had gained as a result of my son's diagnosis meant I was able to provide it.

    I then made a point of talking to some local groups I was involved in explaining what autism was, debunking some myths, explaining that when they see a school age child having a tantrum that child may have autism or another SEN and it's wrong to assume they are spoilt and blame the parents. And I would say to them that you don't expect a person in a wheelchair to just get up and walk - you make allowances for them. Similarly you can't just expect someone with ASD to "fit in" you need to make allowances for them in the same way as you do for a visible disability.

    A diagnosis has also meant my family have adapted to his needs much more, more support and training has been available to me as a parent - the NAS workshop on sensory issues has been hugely beneficial, for example - and my son is now in a special achool where his needs are met, he is happy and at the same time he is challeneged academically where he is able.

Children
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