My 3 year old son has just been diagnosed with Autism.....my head is all over the place

HFA is the same thing as Aspergers, the people that classify diseases have decided that Aspergers isn't a disorder in its own right, it is just a type of autism. The High functioning bit means that the person is of normal or higher intelligence.

Many people with autism (High or low functioning) also have other issues such as late development of speech, behaviour problems or other issues.

Hi boofle I'm no tot sure on the difference my son also hits and kicks a lot of his is frustration as he cant talk I tend to ignore the situation he soon calms down but also I find he likes deep pressure massage so I will rub his back very deeply as it relaxes him best thing to do is to start a new discussion on here as more people can advise you hope this helps x

My 8 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with high functioning ASD. I wanted to know the difference between Aspergers and High Functioning autism if anyone knows.  We have trouble with her agression hitting, kicking, biting etc and wondered if anyone has any tips of how to deal with this kind of behaviour. Any help would be greatly received.

Jazz my son is exactley the same non verble just babbles a lot he screams he will laugh he wiil cry going out to places like shopping malls are a big no no for my boy it took me some time to understand why and I've since learnt he has a lot of sensory issues so going in and out of different shops he can not understand as its not what we normally do if you think about it your in one shop lots going on different noises different sounds and smells go in to another it's completly different so I try not to go and look round shops with my son as its just too much and causes to much stress on him food shopping he likes as he stands in the trolley and he likes to help me so I pass him the items he places them in the trolley and at the end he will help pass them on the conveyer belt his a funny little boy but it's routine he understands what we doing I have found taking pictures on my phone creating an album in his name and I take photos of people like family or friends and also of places where we are. visting  so he understands so for example I took a picture of the shopping trolley with food in before we go out I show him that picture and say we are going shopping so it helps him understand also I've found giving a five second warning when something is about to Finnish like in five seconds time it's time to get out of the bath then count down from five and say finished this has been a massive help although we still get tears and tantrums but it does help I have experienced people out in public unfourtuntly there are small minded people out there if it was me I think I would have lost it and had a go back that person but on the other hand i also have had to really keep my cool as I don't want my son to see mummy getting angry it is hard when you come across people like that I've had it from family members too it is hurtful when people say things but then I just sit back and smile I'm a great believer in karma haha when your taking your son out I don't know if he has a favourite toy maybey he can hold whilst your out and about I give my son one of his Thomas engines one of the small ones to hold as it helps to distract him hope this helps x

Hi North London Mum,

Thank you so much for your heart felt reply - it means a lot to hear from you. I have a bit of free time this morning, so will be looking for some help groups in my area to give me some further information. Like you, I have not been given a copy of his diagnosis report as yet, and am also on a waiting list for the Early Bird course. My son's follow up diagnosis meeting is in April, so maybe I will receive the report then?

Just wanted to ask you, is your 3 year old speaking yet? My child is not speaking, has only ever said a handful of words but now he does not say anything. Also, does your child scream a lot? My child will scream both at home and in public places, and it is not an attention thing or anything related to boredom, as he will scream in the bath when he has my 100% attention and also when excited or during play. Just wondered if you have any advice on how to deal with the screaming. I had an awful experience a couple of weeks ago in a Costa cafe, when my son was very excited when new customers came in the door (he has a fascination with doors!) and started screaming in his excitement. A woman came up to me and said: "Please would you discipline your child" and left us feeling shocked and very very hurt. I did respond rather angrily by telling her to mind her own business, but myself and my partner were left mortified by the whole experience. Have you ever had a similar experience by small-minded people? Anyway - thank you again for chatting to me, and hope to hear back from you again soon x

Hi jazz I know exactly how you are feeling my son who is also 3 was diagnosed in November it's fine to feel the way you are feeling like you I felt very low I felt like someone had a put a knife through my heart when they told me and his dad it was like a sense of grief in a way but I couldn't read trough the booklet they gave me as I couldnot process the information but on the other hand it was a like relief I knew we was not imaging his behaviour I felt like I finally had an answer and understand why my son is the way he his I don't know if they gave you a copy of his report when you had your meeting as I had to wait for mine I felt like it was happening all over again and cried again but reading it made it more clearer the one thing that has helped me is coming on here as so many have given me advise and I'd be lost without the the help and support I get on here I am also waiting for a course to come available it's called the early bird course and I've heard its a must to do as it really does help  I undertand all the emotions you are going through the hurt the guilt the pain and the more protectiveness you become of your son all I wanted to do was hug him for ages and I blamed myself for him having autism I thought was it because I never did ceartain things but then I was reassured just remembre you are not alone this is a fantastic site I have turns to the people on here when I was at my lowest point and even when I have struggled to understand certain behaviours my son displays but everyone on here gave me some great advise and tips please feel free to private message me on your doing a fantastic job as his mum you've done the first step by getting the help for him they should now be putting a plan together to help with any additional needs as longman sugestss look up to see if there is any help groups in your area that can give you further info also if it helps maybe ask the team who diagnosed your son if there is a counciller you can speak to in the mean time I see one once a month even before my son got diagnosed and I'm still seeing them now as it really does help me x

Is there a parents group or NAS branch in your area? You can find out using the Search for services in your area facility on the home and community pages of the NAS website (pink and red maps of Britain). Sometimes London stuff comes up first when you are not looking for London, just scroll down until you find more relevant stuff.

Parents Groups are help groups where you can access services, meet other parents, and get access to talks and lectures on aspects of bringing up autistic children. It may get you help faster than April.  If there isn't a parents group in your area, contact the one nearest, as they may know of informal support groups nearer you.

Use the NAS website About Autism section - there's plenty of background reading material here, and links to other sites, just takes a bit of searching around.

Also search the community - a search function on the left hand side of the comunity page (above the red New Discussions) for any specific questions. Almost assuredly things will have been aired before.

Hopefully others will respond soon, including parents of children recently diagnosed, with whom you can share insights.