General Chat

Make sure you ask all the questions and write everything down

Hi Val I think its a great thread, glad to hear all fine. i'm just hitting a sticky patch moving schools!! but I'm armed with all my questions for meeting on tuesday.

Thank you Sharon for joining us and it is fine this thread needs aired a bit lol

I know this is an old thread but thought i would nudge it and say hello at the same time (i wasnt a member when this thread started). Hope all you ladies with special needs childen are ok and all your children are getting the help they need Sharon mother to a child with Autism and SLD

Hi Selina they are fighting like cat and dog unless I keep them separated! both want to be on pc all day! Jamie keeps on and on and on about having friends over, then when they come he plays with them for a while, then expects them to watch him play the PS2! Can't afford to be going out all the time, so we have to be at home a lot. Thank goodness they have been away for 10 days (doesn't feel like it now lol) and are going to in-laws from Fri til Weds! Hope you are managing ok too?! If you are near London, then come and join us in Regents Park on Friday! Maz. XX

Penny that is good news, I hope things start to move quicker for you now. Selina the change of routine is hard for my son to cope with. The first week is always ok but the second week is a nightmare, he is refusing to leave the house at all - even trying to bribe him with a visit to McDonalds but still he will not go out. Julia

I am glad Penny you are getting help and yes it is hard when the kids are off school mine are bored to easy

Brilliant news Penny, I hope things start moving quickly for you all. Please keep us posted! Maz. XX

well we went to the GP today & got a referral - feeling a lot easier about it now. Penny

Hi Penny! oh I KNEW there was something else I was gonna put in my pm to you lol here it is!! You will now find out that you (like all women lol) are so much stronger than you thought. They say that 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' and I firmly believe that - I wouldn't be here now after the terrible year I had last year otherwise! Always remember that YOU are the one who knows your child best. Try to keep your sense of humour and most of all enjoy your special child :-))) Maz. XX

Hi Maz Thanks for that encouragement. I feel a lot better today - think (hope) I have got over the initial shock/realisation - hopefully now will be stronger to attack whatever comes at me :-)

Hi Penny, Jamie was only diagnosed a year ago - he is 8 and a half now - but we had been convinced he had Asperger's since he was about 4 or 5 and knew from about 3 that there was something unusual about him. I am lucky enough to have had excellent support from the school throughout, but did have problems with family in the early days. They were more of the opinion that he was just 'naughty'. Now I have educated them more about the condition and they are much more understanding. I'm a great reader, so I got loads of books from the library - there are some very good ones about Asperger's in particular - and learnt everything I could from them. It does help when you talk to professionals if you know something about the autistic spectrum and how it affects behaviour. For me, the diagnosis itself was a relief as it confirmed everything I had thought beforehand - I did doubt myself right up until the point that the shrink said the word Asperger's, and I cried when he did! Once you have a diagnosis you know what you are dealing with (although each child is different) and can then work with the professionals on strategies to help with your particular issues. I don't see a label as a bad thing - it's a stepping stone for us. The next hurdle I think will be trying to explain to Jamie why he is different - I'm waiting until I think he is able to understand. I've explained it a little to Charlotte, she knows the term Special Needs and realises that her brother is 'different', but it is still hard for siblings. Don't know if this has helped at all! Everyone's experience is a little different and we can each only say how it was for us. Maz. XX

What age were your children when they were diagnosed, how did you cope?

Well done for your son getting swimming badge Penny But do keep on that them and his doctor as he will help

Val He was at school today so didn't see me. He did get his 50 metres swimming badge today so really pleased with him :-)))))) Maz I like this paed consultant & so will wait to hear what he has to say first.

ok, I think they are HALF right! I do know from my own area that Ed Psychs are few and far between and have horrendous caseloads. Here those who have left have not been replaced, so the remaining ones have to do double or treble the work. BUT if the school put in for a statement, then he WILL be assessed by and Ed Psych, even if it takes a while. Someone needs to get their finger out and get the ball rolling for you !! :-)) Maz. XX

Keep on at them Penny, when David had his done it was to late as they wouldn't listein to me but with John got it sorted as hospital doctor sorted it but please try not to get upset as your son will pick up on you getting upset

Just want it properly dealt with now & quickly. Patience isn't onw of my strong points!. Been crying most of the day :-(

I am glad they have sorted it for you Penny

Was told hard to get Ed Psych as they are cutting back. Been advised to go to GP - at first wouldnt say what for as they are not qualified to diagnose but eventually got it out of them!! Phoned his Paed consultant direct - just waiting to hear. Happy Holidays :-(