Narrate the positive side of ASD children

After waiting almost five years for a diagnosis, my 13 year old son was seen for an hour on his first appointment and the Psychologist confirmed my findings and told me exactly what recommendations he will be making to the Psychiatrist. His primary school told me that they referred him to CAMHS following my request but it was refused. My GP told me that he sent the referral off but CAMHS said they never got it. It was a very long, frustrating and difficult process to actually getting CAMHS to see him but I didn't give up because I knew what was going on with my child was extra-ordinary. Looking back, I would not have brought him up any differently. He sits in the same chair at meal time and if we had visitors and the chair was taken, he would wait or demand his chair as well as countless other 'oddities'.  Despite everything, he is an awesome, sweet boy and I love him so much. He owns over 15 different Rubik's cubes and spends hours beating his time, he is an excellent mathematician, plays four musical instruments and has an IQ higher than Einstein.  I do struggle to understand him on most days and often forgets that I am the one that needs to adjust and not him but life goes on.

I know that it is stressful as parents of these children and sometimes I have melt downs myself because I'm just worn out but I have to keep reminding myself that he draws from me and whenever I'm distraught, he senses it and responds in the same manner or go into hiding. Hang on in there and find all the positives about your child/children. We can do this.

Parents
  • I haven't looked at or contributed to this forum for a long time and only saw this because for some reason these posts are starting to come into my email inbox. I just wanted to say what a lovely post you have written. Your story is very similar to my own (my son is 15 now, diagnosed at 14 after a long struggle etc to get an assessment) and I finally feel I am on an even(ish) keel. I think a diagnosis makes a huge difference -- no matter that you know your child and recognise that something is different, it's very hard to make any necessary adjustments (mental and other) until a diagnosis is 'official' - at least that's how I felt. I also think a diagnosis gave me licence to start to find out more about moving forward rather than focusing on the sometimes messy situation we were in.

    So, thank you for your post Slight smile

    I have to say, I still do swing between being positive and less so - but I agree, there is indeed a very positive side of ASD children that needs to be told. 

    Best wishes to you and your boy for the future.

Reply
  • I haven't looked at or contributed to this forum for a long time and only saw this because for some reason these posts are starting to come into my email inbox. I just wanted to say what a lovely post you have written. Your story is very similar to my own (my son is 15 now, diagnosed at 14 after a long struggle etc to get an assessment) and I finally feel I am on an even(ish) keel. I think a diagnosis makes a huge difference -- no matter that you know your child and recognise that something is different, it's very hard to make any necessary adjustments (mental and other) until a diagnosis is 'official' - at least that's how I felt. I also think a diagnosis gave me licence to start to find out more about moving forward rather than focusing on the sometimes messy situation we were in.

    So, thank you for your post Slight smile

    I have to say, I still do swing between being positive and less so - but I agree, there is indeed a very positive side of ASD children that needs to be told. 

    Best wishes to you and your boy for the future.

Children
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