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Diagnosis of autism for son aged 7

lala85

Hi,  I am new on here, I was told about this site by my son's doctor after we got his diagnosis only 2 months ago.  I would love to chat with other parents and get some guidance on where to go.  Although we knew that his behaviour was different and there was something and tried to prepare myself for this it was still a big blow and I am still trying to process it myself, so dont really know what to say.  I just want to make my son's life easier for him.  I Have ordered some books and dvds just to try and look at his world through his eyes so hopefully it will help me unerstand a bit more.  

I see from other discussions on here that poeple have told their children at a young gae that they have autism, but I was advised that i shouldnt tell him until he is in his teens? I am very open and honest and I know my son knows he is different and its only a matter of time before he askes me as he is attending lots of meetings etc what is going on, so I will have to explain one day soon im sure, I just hope this does not knock his confidence as we have only just began to build this back up.  

My son is also being assessed for ADHD on the 3rd of october so has to go through the whole process again, which i hate lol.  But do know its only for his good.  

One thing I would like to ask if anyone has had the same problem I hope u can help me with this.  My son is in a mainstream school, but with support and attends a learning centre most days.  He is doing very well with most aspects of learning, obviously with support except one and thats reading.  I am becoming frustrated with the school as they are pushing for my son to keep up with the slowest group in the class with the reading but I have been told that my son will be a visual learner and pictures should come with words to help him learn these.  The school are just giving him normal books like harry's pets etc and expecting him to read 3 pages per night.  He is refusing to do this and becomes very upset and frustrated when he does eventually do it, as he is punished if he doesnt (kept in at playtime).  Am I Not right in saying its an impossible task to ask children to read with visual prompting (Pictures)< or at least it makes it alot easier for them??

As I say I am a new mum to this and still very daunted by it all and would love to get to know some other parents with children with autism.

Parents

  • Hi there.

    It's a lot to take in at first - was there when our son was about the same age - he's 11 now.

    We did tell our son fairly early on as we felt it would help him. I guess it just depends on your child though - how well he communicates, whether it would upset him etc. We found it helpful though so we could explain to him why he was different - he knew perfectly well that he was, so having a reason was good. Also, why he was getting extra support in class etc, when he's perfectly bright, but was struggling to join in and was getting upset. He now refers to it every now & again and we can have some good discussions with all our 3 kids about disability and difference and they know and understand what we're talking about.

    I would say that if your son is resisting the reading and it's hard for him, don't push it. It would be the same for any child, that if they are over faced, then it will knock his confidence. Try him at home with some different styles of books. Our son got going with Asterix and TinTin - he could look at the pictures and read the words - or some of them, and still understand the stories. He's an avid reader and although his understanding sometimes lags behind, I think this kind of book was important for his reading development. The school really should understand about learning styles and different needs. Is there someone you can talk to? We have an excellent Spectrum Support Worker who we can talk to about these things (our son is in mainstream too) and who is very supportive.

    Remember, you do know your son best!

    Btw, an excellent book is "Martian in the Playground" by Clare Sainsbury, who herself has Aspergers. Really brings home to you how a child with ASD feels and goes through.

    Good luck,

    Hellsbells

Reply

  • Hi there.

    It's a lot to take in at first - was there when our son was about the same age - he's 11 now.

    We did tell our son fairly early on as we felt it would help him. I guess it just depends on your child though - how well he communicates, whether it would upset him etc. We found it helpful though so we could explain to him why he was different - he knew perfectly well that he was, so having a reason was good. Also, why he was getting extra support in class etc, when he's perfectly bright, but was struggling to join in and was getting upset. He now refers to it every now & again and we can have some good discussions with all our 3 kids about disability and difference and they know and understand what we're talking about.

    I would say that if your son is resisting the reading and it's hard for him, don't push it. It would be the same for any child, that if they are over faced, then it will knock his confidence. Try him at home with some different styles of books. Our son got going with Asterix and TinTin - he could look at the pictures and read the words - or some of them, and still understand the stories. He's an avid reader and although his understanding sometimes lags behind, I think this kind of book was important for his reading development. The school really should understand about learning styles and different needs. Is there someone you can talk to? We have an excellent Spectrum Support Worker who we can talk to about these things (our son is in mainstream too) and who is very supportive.

    Remember, you do know your son best!

    Btw, an excellent book is "Martian in the Playground" by Clare Sainsbury, who herself has Aspergers. Really brings home to you how a child with ASD feels and goes through.

    Good luck,

    Hellsbells

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