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Autistic son and extra support.

LM

Hi!

I have a 3 almost 4 year old autistic son who I think is high functioning and also has ADHD.

During the week he is at nursery 2 and a half days(free place for all children who are 3 in Scotland- not sure if this is the same in the whole UK)

He took a while to settle in but now absolutely loves it and it has done wonders for his social skills. The nursery teacher’s constantly say how different and confident he is from the quiet little boy who started. He enjoys having a routine in nursery and having a plan and things to keep him busy. He comes home happy every day. 

I think he would have benefitted massively from going in to nursery earlier especially given he was under 6 months when covid started.
 This wasn’t an option for us due to money even though my partner works full time and I work 4 days( due to childcare)


I have hinted many times to my health visitor that I’m struggling daily with my son and that he needs to be kept busy constantly. This has caused a huge financial strain too as before he was in nursery and any days off I would need to take him out every single day to keep him occupied. He never ever played himself until recently. He is especially difficult when dad is home from work and at weekends. He cries for what feels like the whole day and gets angry/ aggressive if we don’t play with him ALL DAY. This just isn’t possible especially now I have a 5 month old baby and bottles to sterilise etc.

Anyway… my question is has anyone from Scotland in particular who’s not entitled to any benefits etc been given any additional support for their child for example extra hours for nursery or anything else?

I love my son dearly and love spending time with him but he needs to be kept busy constantly and my stress levels are through the roof. So much so I was hospitalised at 9 months pregnant recently due to the stress. 
I can’t simply let him out in the garden to play like perhaps a neurotypical child would do themselves. He will refuse to play and gets bored. Yes I do play with him but as I mentioned before it just isn’t possible 24/7.

Thanks if you read this far!

Parents

  • Hi, I am Scottish. First I’d ask the nursery if they have space to accommodate your child in the morning or afternoon. If they say yes Great but if they don’t then your potentially looking at changing nursery.

    I’d then Speak to your health visitor and say I have spoken with nursery they have space to accommodate my child on these days and can my child be discussed at the EYIG (early year’s intervention group) name might be different depending on your council area. I’d find out who your nursery’s educational psychologist is and speak to them so they are aware of you & your child. 

    EYIG meetings happen once per month. Health visitors don’t have the final say it’s a multi disciplinary team so all need to agree. The manager of your child’s nursery would be on the team, speech & language and educational psychology are also in the team. 

    I have been there, I have two autistic children and unfortunately I was always knocked back for FT nursery for my youngest. He was at an ASN nursery though and the demand outweighed the spaces available. 

Reply

  • Hi, I am Scottish. First I’d ask the nursery if they have space to accommodate your child in the morning or afternoon. If they say yes Great but if they don’t then your potentially looking at changing nursery.

    I’d then Speak to your health visitor and say I have spoken with nursery they have space to accommodate my child on these days and can my child be discussed at the EYIG (early year’s intervention group) name might be different depending on your council area. I’d find out who your nursery’s educational psychologist is and speak to them so they are aware of you & your child. 

    EYIG meetings happen once per month. Health visitors don’t have the final say it’s a multi disciplinary team so all need to agree. The manager of your child’s nursery would be on the team, speech & language and educational psychology are also in the team. 

    I have been there, I have two autistic children and unfortunately I was always knocked back for FT nursery for my youngest. He was at an ASN nursery though and the demand outweighed the spaces available. 

Children