Help!

Hi!  This is a brilliant site, people are so friendly and coogybear is lovely, and so helpful.

Congratulations on getting a diagnosis now, I know that may sound wierd, but is will give you more time to get the support in place that he will nedd as he gets older.  My son is almost 13, and was diagnosed at the end of 2012, and it has been an uphill battle getting schools and school nurses etc in.

Your son will have a school nurse (even if he is a special school, like my son), she should be a bit like a spider in a web and she/he will be someone useful to get in to contact with.

You need to go in to the school and request a meeting to arrange a CAF. common assesment framework in to place.  You also need to get them moving to get a statement in place, (or a DAF depending on where you are from), as these take about 6 months to do.

Another piece of advice is, don't be afraid to speak your miind with the healthcare team.  They need a gentle nudge now and again, and unfortunately the way the NHS is rigged, the louder you are, the further up the list you get!

Tony Attwood is brilliant as Coogy said, I also found freaks geeks and aspergers really useful. but that may not be relevent to you.

Oh and cerebra might be able to help

Lastly and most importantly look after yourself, your son needs you in his corner so take time for yourself.  Keep using this forum too as it is often very helpful

Crazy

Hi Foofighter, 

First of all welcome. Secondly, take a deep breath and exhale gently. For most the diagnosis of a child can be a scary thing, so many questions, so many factors to consider.

Your first step, which I must congratulate you on, is that you have found an excellent site. It took me many years to pluck up the courage to find this site and many more to commune with others. Much of what you need is here and if you prefer to address the forum their are many willing to share their experiences and offer support.

ASD is a spectrum disorder. Roughly translated this means that each presentation is unique to that individual. Because of the nature of such a condition (it doesn't come with a handbook) You will find that each person has to find what works for them best. I have two sons with ASD and they each present in very different ways. What works for one, may not work for the other.

The best advice I can give is to first take care of your own health. Caring for a child on the Spectrum can be tiring and it's easy for parents to neglect their own health. As for book their are many. Tony Attwood has a few published and is well recognized as an expert although I confess that some of his books can be a heavy read. (For me that is!) Aspergers Syndrome 'A guide for parents and professionals' may be a good starting point, however he also does have some short videos on Youtube.

www.youtube.com/watch

Just as an example, This video is mainly about adults by the way, but it gives some helpful info.

ASD has many faces and you will come to terms with each challenge as they occur. My best advice would be to always go with your gut feeling. If one method doesn't work, try it again, but maybe in a different way or setting. Find what is right for your child. My final piece of advice would be to enjoy your son and celebrate what he is good at. So many of us can be bogged down with labels or behaviours and forget that we have very unique and special children who are capable of great things given the right support and care.

I hope my rambling hasn't come accross as patronizing and wish you all the best. If their is something specific I can help with i'd be only too pleased.

Kind Regards

Coogybear xx