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Hi.
16 Is a gifficult age, but frankly I had a mixed bag with provision.
16 is generally the age a statement ends and a MOAP (Moving on action Plan) Is devised. Moap's normally cherry pick the info from a statement, if ones active, and ensure the relevant support is in place, However, as I understand them, MOAP's are not as legally binding as Statements and are therefore open to interpretation from the College etc. In Sept 2014 I believe, the EHC (Education and Health Plans) were more widely implimented, so Moaps may be obsolete now, I'm not sure.
I have two on the spectrum and both were well supported with statements but each had a vastly different experience with MOAP'S in operation when they moved to two separate Colleges. One taught the College SEN what was necessary for him to get by and was then supported and the other was just left to drown by his College with no support.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that Diagnosis alone does not ensure support. 16-19 age bracket seems to be a no-mans-land for provison and it's most often the reason teens suffer not withstanding their own difficulties. Many lack the self-driven or independant skills to motivate themselves and even fewer know how to ask for specific help. So it may end up that much of the support is parent driven. Some regions however, seem to have better provision than others and some still have ConneXions, to help youngsters with MOAP's, signposting etc.
Like Socks, I have gone my entire life without knowing what was wrong with me. I'm a late diagnosed Aspie who has struggled greatly through life. I too have found the diagnosis process profoundly important and I'm hoping that armed with that knowledge I can live a safer and calmer balance of my life. Not only has it explained the reason for some of my difficulties, but It has allowed me to be kinder to myself & and forgiving of my diffculties. No magic wand exists to change me and frankly I'd sooner be who I am. The difficulty comes when you campare your ability to manage, against NT's. When you finially realize you are not a struggling NT, but an Aspie, that self-reproach for stuggling to cope can often (but not always) disolve.
My darling adult brother has no clue he is Aspie. He relies heavily on me to help with everyday support and often that's what happens. Family take care of other family members and muddle on with no support.
Socks is right. You don't have to disclose a diagnosis to others and learning who to disclose to is a steep learning curve. I'm not sure to diagnose or not to diagnose is so much the issue, it's more about to be informed and not to be informed.Personally, I wish I'd learned about my difficulties when I was younger.
Cuts are everywhere and resources are scarce, so It's likely you will be talked out of it; as I nearly was, but if it was down to me, I'd insist on assessment.
Look beyond the label and at what's best for your son, not what the stretched services say they are prepared to do for your child with ref to diagnosis.
Get clarity from the psychologist with a firm plan of action and if you are unhappy with it, tell then straight and insist on what you and your son want!
Hope the above doesn't come accoss too negitive because it isn't meant to be, but It's important to be realistic.
Good Luck
Coogybear xx
Hi.
16 Is a gifficult age, but frankly I had a mixed bag with provision.
16 is generally the age a statement ends and a MOAP (Moving on action Plan) Is devised. Moap's normally cherry pick the info from a statement, if ones active, and ensure the relevant support is in place, However, as I understand them, MOAP's are not as legally binding as Statements and are therefore open to interpretation from the College etc. In Sept 2014 I believe, the EHC (Education and Health Plans) were more widely implimented, so Moaps may be obsolete now, I'm not sure.
I have two on the spectrum and both were well supported with statements but each had a vastly different experience with MOAP'S in operation when they moved to two separate Colleges. One taught the College SEN what was necessary for him to get by and was then supported and the other was just left to drown by his College with no support.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that Diagnosis alone does not ensure support. 16-19 age bracket seems to be a no-mans-land for provison and it's most often the reason teens suffer not withstanding their own difficulties. Many lack the self-driven or independant skills to motivate themselves and even fewer know how to ask for specific help. So it may end up that much of the support is parent driven. Some regions however, seem to have better provision than others and some still have ConneXions, to help youngsters with MOAP's, signposting etc.
Like Socks, I have gone my entire life without knowing what was wrong with me. I'm a late diagnosed Aspie who has struggled greatly through life. I too have found the diagnosis process profoundly important and I'm hoping that armed with that knowledge I can live a safer and calmer balance of my life. Not only has it explained the reason for some of my difficulties, but It has allowed me to be kinder to myself & and forgiving of my diffculties. No magic wand exists to change me and frankly I'd sooner be who I am. The difficulty comes when you campare your ability to manage, against NT's. When you finially realize you are not a struggling NT, but an Aspie, that self-reproach for stuggling to cope can often (but not always) disolve.
My darling adult brother has no clue he is Aspie. He relies heavily on me to help with everyday support and often that's what happens. Family take care of other family members and muddle on with no support.
Socks is right. You don't have to disclose a diagnosis to others and learning who to disclose to is a steep learning curve. I'm not sure to diagnose or not to diagnose is so much the issue, it's more about to be informed and not to be informed.Personally, I wish I'd learned about my difficulties when I was younger.
Cuts are everywhere and resources are scarce, so It's likely you will be talked out of it; as I nearly was, but if it was down to me, I'd insist on assessment.
Look beyond the label and at what's best for your son, not what the stretched services say they are prepared to do for your child with ref to diagnosis.
Get clarity from the psychologist with a firm plan of action and if you are unhappy with it, tell then straight and insist on what you and your son want!
Hope the above doesn't come accoss too negitive because it isn't meant to be, but It's important to be realistic.
Good Luck
Coogybear xx
