Got diagnosis yesterday

Hey,

My little boy was diagnosed only a couple of weeks ago, and like you, even though I'd known for a long time (nearly a year) it was still hard to hear it confirmed.

My son's pre school have been amazing, it was them that picked up on the early warning signs, that I put down to 'being behind on his speech'. They are applying for his statement for his primary school next year.

I'm in the process of filling out the lenghty DLA form, its tough to have to put down in words all the negative things about your child, but hopefully it will benefits things in the long run.

We are still waiting to hear about when our parents course on autism will take place.

There is lots of support out there, as little or as much as you want. The biggest struggle for me was actually getting the assesment carried out for a diagnosis.

I found having my son's name down on the local childrens centre, which I was informed about through his pre school, has been wonderful - he has attended two communication workshops, and a school holiday group specifically for children with special learning needs, and that was all within 6 months.

Wish you all the best x

hi - yes, apply for dla.  Remember when filling it in that it isn't designed for autism.  Questions such as do you have hearing problems...they're thinking of deafness.  If your child has noise sensitivity, then you explain that.  Another Q - something like "how far can you walk unaided".  In my case, my son cd walk for miles unaided but he needed someone with him on the journey, so I'd explain that.  It's looking at the questions + interpretting them in relation to your child, because a lot of them are about physical issues.  If you have a look around this site you'll see posts from parents who feel the same way as you when they get the diagnosis.  I did when my child was diagnosed many yrs ago now.  I've sd it before, but I'll say it again, at that moment all I cd see was the asd....not the little person who v much needed me + who happened to have asd.  You feel you've lost something but in reality you haven't because you can't lose what you never had.  You thought, at least for a while, that you had an ordinary child, but that wasn't the case, unless something unusual occurred.  Yes, sometimes we have to fight for services that shd be provided as a right.  Some areas of the country are better provided than others for services....education, social care.  Central government has cut the money it gives to local government.  Education + social care cost a fortune, they are the biggest budgets, so they take the biggest hits.  However, they shd still be able to provide some level of service to you, depending on your needs.  I cd go on + on + on but rather than do that can I suggest you check out the info on the nas site.....there's loads of it relating to services etc on the home page.  Take your time + be kind to yourself as well.  bw

Hi also the parent course we donee was through earlybird which they details are on this site 

Hi, 

thanks for the reply. i didnt know he would qualify for DLA so thanks a lot for that one. I will definately get in contact with local office. 

My friend followed their child the first time they let them out...you could try that lol. 

[quote user="NAS13716"]

Hi all, 

To be honest im a little stuck for words at the moment. I knew my little man had an ASD but to hear it from a proffessional has really thrown me for some reason. Friends of mine are saying im going to have a fight to get any help for him. How true is this? I dont even know where to begin. Do i have to contact the other agencies or do they contact me?

Help! im lost and need some advice from someone who has been here already

Hi no how ya feel it do get easier my boy was diagnosed when he was three he is now 10 we have good days and bad days , there is plenty of help out there  me  and my wife went on a 6 week course with other parents to under stand all about asd , cause at the start we didn't have a clue as far as school his school put many things in place after we had someone from education services to come in and asses him. Which u can ask for , if u gets in contact with you're local autistic society branch they will put u on the right track and also u will be in titled to DLA every penny helps we use the money to buy stuff learning etc lot of paper work involved thou . 

I have signed up to see if I can get some help , like said he is nearly 11 and now have his friends  knocking at the door and he wants to go out round the corner just scared cause he is not very streetwise don't no what to do , I don't want to let out  false stop lol but my wife thinks he should have a chance decisions decisions ....