Hi All,
My daughter was diagnosed as autistic last week after years of tests & appointments. She has been in the system since age four, diagnosed with ADHD at seven, and then it went wrong. We moved house from city to county, the dr she had went on long term sick leave, the new doctor discharged us, then the next doctor started the process from the begining again! Aged 12 she is finally diagnosed again.
However she is in mainstream school - not eligible for a statement, but has such terrible social skills she is constantly bullied - currently has a black eye from being punched two weeks ago, and has no friends. The doctor has said he is going to refer her to autism outreach, and suggested I join this site, but I would like her in a school where she can be herself without fear of ridicule, with kids that are the same as her - surely that's not too much to ask? Does anyone know of cases where the child has gone to special school without a statement? I just can't see the school she is at is going to make her happy, they can put lots of things in place but they can't change the children that she is there with. I feel we have wasted so much time besystem how things worked out, so feel it's vital to be able to ensure the rest of her time at school is productive but more importantly happy.
I would really appreciate any thoughts on this.
Also a couple of years ago I applied for dla for her so that she could go to a special club for adhd kids but it was expensive, and they said I should be using her dla to pay for it, I explaineit's he didn't have it and they were shocked & said I should apply. Anyway we were turned down, and I didn't appeal. With this new diagnosis would she be eligible now?
Many thanks
Pea, x