HELP NEW TO THIS AND NEEDING ADVICE PLEASE

Hi Inverlass - you're all having a bad time of it, especially your little girl + yourself.  The nursery appears unsuitable for her as she has no support there.  Do any of the staff understand autism?   You should request a statement of educational needs urgently.  The statement should give her support in school by a person who understands her needs.  Do you know why she "lunges" at babies + toddlers? Something will be causing her to do this.  She must be incredibly stressed out at the nursery.  This is not her fault - its to do with the physical and/or social environment which seems to be too too much for her to cope with.    I think you need to consider whether she should be attending at all.   It seems to be causing so many problems that it's adding to the stress for all of you in a big big way.  I think you're right to think she'd benefit from a smaller group, but she also needs staff who know about autism, as I said before.  Just another question (sorry) - does she "lunge" at babies + toddlers wherever she is?

There's lots of info on this site so have a good look around to see how autism affects her as an individual.  There's info on educational needs as well.  The home page will also direct you to courses you could go on - there's so much info on so many things.  There's the nas helpline so you can talk to someone who can advise.  It can be busy so you may have to ring back.   She needs a daily routine she can rely on day in day out.  You can use pictures if she's non-verbal, or even if she is verbal.  

Your husband also needs to face up to the diagnosis + learn about autism.  He's making life worse when you're already under so much pessure.  He may be upset himself so has gone into denial.  This is not that uncommon.  If he's willing he could also check out this site.  Sometimes talking to "a professional" can convince a parent more than talking to a partner/spouse.  Leaving info lying around the house so that those coming across it can pick it up can also be a way of getting them up to speed without making a big deal out of things.

 Keep on at the Ed Psych or any other professional who was involved in the diagnosis till you get some action.  Follow-up after diagnosis could be speech therapy for example.  Have you got a social worker? A good 1 could be helpful in checking things out for you + arranging things.

Lastly + I know it's difficult, but please try to look after yourself.  All this will wear you out emotionally + physically.  Have you anyone else, family/friends who can give you a bit of a break?    I do feel for you as many others on this site will too.  We've all had very difficult times so we do understand.  Take care.

Hi Inverlass - you're all having a bad time of it, especially your little girl + yourself.  The nursery appears unsuitable for her as she has no support there.  Do any of the staff understand autism?   You should request a statement of educational needs urgently.  The statement should give her support in school by a person who understands her needs.  Do you know why she "lunges" at babies + toddlers? Something will be causing her to do this.  She must be incredibly stressed out at the nursery.  This is not her fault - its to do with the physical and/or social environment which seems to be too too much for her to cope with.    I think you need to consider whether she should be attending at all.   It seems to be causing so many problems that it's adding to the stress for all of you in a big big way.  I think you're right to think she'd benefit from a smaller group, but she also needs staff who know about autism, as I said before.  Just another question (sorry) - does she "lunge" at babies + toddlers wherever she is?

There's lots of info on this site so have a good look around to see how autism affects her as an individual.  There's info on educational needs as well.  The home page will also direct you to courses you could go on - there's so much info on so many things.  There's the nas helpline so you can talk to someone who can advise.  It can be busy so you may have to ring back.   She needs a daily routine she can rely on day in day out.  You can use pictures if she's non-verbal, or even if she is verbal.  

Your husband also needs to face up to the diagnosis + learn about autism.  He's making life worse when you're already under so much pessure.  He may be upset himself so has gone into denial.  This is not that uncommon.  If he's willing he could also check out this site.  Sometimes talking to "a professional" can convince a parent more than talking to a partner/spouse.  Leaving info lying around the house so that those coming across it can pick it up can also be a way of getting them up to speed without making a big deal out of things.

 Keep on at the Ed Psych or any other professional who was involved in the diagnosis till you get some action.  Follow-up after diagnosis could be speech therapy for example.  Have you got a social worker? A good 1 could be helpful in checking things out for you + arranging things.

Lastly + I know it's difficult, but please try to look after yourself.  All this will wear you out emotionally + physically.  Have you anyone else, family/friends who can give you a bit of a break?    I do feel for you as many others on this site will too.  We've all had very difficult times so we do understand.  Take care.