Hi, I am mum to two lovely boys. My youngest was diagnosed with Aspergers in February, aged 5, after the school expressed concern regarding his behaviour - he would get hysterical every day when i tried to leave him then would spend the day hiding under the table and not communicating with anyone, he would have violent outbursts at home or be completely withdrawn. We are now in the process of trying to get a statement for him and he is doing better in school - even occasionally interacting with the other children.
My eldest son (aged 9) has also just had a diagnosis of Aspergers after 3.5 years of trying to get someone to acknowledge that there was a problem. He has eating problems, and academically is equivalent to a reception age child although his vocabulary is advanced beyond his years.
I am trying to find out what help is available for us as a family, I am a full-time student midwife and my husband works away quite alot, I have an amazing childminder who both boys adore and do really well with but have just found out that our income is going to be substantially reduced and don't think i can continue to send them to her. Are there any benefits available that anyone knows of, we don't qualify for working tax credits. I am starting to think that i will have to withdraw from my course which i am due to finish in August, but know that in the long term this will be detrimental to the whole family.
Any advice will be greatly received as i am at my wits end.
