daughters diagnosis

It is a vey scary time. My son was diagnosed 3 years ago. He is now 7 and doing really well. Once you have the diagnosis it does help to kick start the support that they may need. It is an emotional rollercoaster but, in my experience, the vast majority of people you come into contact with have your childs best interests at heart. With the help and intevention I am amazed at how my son is progressing. He's in mainstream school with statement, if he can stay into senior school not sure but a year ago he couldn't string a sentence together, this year he has stood in two assembleys and spoken - unimaginable!

As people have said, she is your little girl. And you love her unconditionally and this is one of those curve balls we get thrown! One thing that helped me (unlike searhing Autism immediatly after the diagnosis!!) a book called 10 things every child with autism wished you knew  - that may not be the exact title but type in 10 things on the internet search and it should come up. It was easy to read and gave they key points. It was great to pass onto family and friends for them to read and ask me less questions at a time when I really didn't need them.

Take each day as it comes, stay strong. You're not alone.

my daughter was diagnosed at 5, with Autism, and a few years ago this changed to Aspergers.  She is 13 now and a great, loving and kind girl. I have accepted her diagnosis from the start and for me, she is my little girl.  My wife is a worrier, so she has struggled a little over the years.  She goes to main stream school and is statemented and the main issue, now she is older, is what other children say i.e. that she is weird.  She takes it to heart and it is difficult to know she has to cope with name calling and finds it difficult to make friends.  That aside, as i say, she is a beautiful and kind girl, and her diagnosis and social difficulties mean she is my "little girl" longer than other "non ASD" children, that may swear, be rude/back chat, and become horrible teenagers etc.  However, your children turn out, that is how you will always know them, and will love them as they are.  Read up about it, get support from the school and local authority early on, and be a good listener when they have the odd worry.

Hi Olive

How old is your daughter?

My daughter is now 11 and diagnosed when she was just about to be 10 last year.  Mild Autism and officially Asperger's Syndrome.  Very bright but has social difficulties.  I am still sad at times as this is not what I wanted or hoped for or expected at all!  I reacted as though she had been suddenly hit by a bus and I had to pick up the pieces however one bit of Luke Jackson's 'Freaks, geeks and Asperger's Syndrome' book really helped me get a different perspective and I quote:

"The best advice I would give to parents that have found out that their child has AS is to accept them as they are.  Preconceived ideas are never a good thing.  To be on the autistic spectrum is not the same as being on death row - it is not a death sentence, it is not terminal, it is merely a name for a lifelong set of behaviours.  Your and your child's life may now take a different course than you would have expected, but it is just as important and may even be more fascinating and enlightening.  Reading books and learning lost about it is good......don't think that they have somehow changed because they have a name for their behaviours.  Your kid is still your kid regardless of their 'label'."

Hope that helps.  You are not alone.

love Blod xxx

Be glad that they have or are getting an assess, a lot of people in past have wait for 30-40 years living a life of pain. So please be thankful, that your little ones have been acknowledge.. I send my blessing and hope to you. So regardless what the future holds, it will be better.

My 3 1/2 year old little girl was diagnosed on Friday and although I knew in my heart of hearts she was autistic it's still a reality check, I suppose I'm scared of what the future holds.

Jo 

Hi Olive,

I am waiting for my sons assessment, feeling quite alone and sad too. If you need advice, there is lots of it on here.

christine

xx