Exactly what does a support worker do?

[nannygoatgruff]

Hello

I posted a while back about the behaviour of my DS, who is 3.9

I have been going to a parenting group to try and manage his behavior - but because his behaviour is more extreme than the usual 'playing up', they have referred me to a support worker.

I will take any help I am offered , but what does a support worker do?

I am hoping he/she can tell me the best way to put a rocket up the backside of SALT - three times over the past three weeks I have phoned to find out when DS will get an appointement - 3 times I have been told I will get a return phone call. NOTHING.

I'm seeing the doped community paed in December.

This time I will insist she evaluates him for ASD. She can't make up her mind if he has a disorder, or if he is 'just naughty'

Is it normal to put your hands round the neck of a random child in doctor's waiting room because ' seeing someone cry makes me laugh'.

[WetAugust]

Support worker is a general trem. What you want is specific support to tackle specif issues.

the problem is that if he is indeed ASD then attending a parenting group is no help at all.

If he is ASD he'll need ASD specific help - not general support.

Insist on an evaluation for ASD and you can start targetting the right help instead of someone who knows nothing about ASD but has a handy box of tissues

Best wishes

[nannygoatgruff]

I kept commenting at the parenting group that this was useless and would have no effect on DS at all, so they took me for a 'private talk' and recommended a support worker

This third assessment by community paed due soon.

The last two were useless. She referred him to SALT in August, I've still not had any contact with them.

I'm gearing my self up to get a bit more pushy this time - not just sit there smiling and nodding.

Our house is in uproar as soon as DS wakes up - violence, aggression, incessent repeating of stock phrases etc.

We are all getting stressed, so something needs to be done.

[WetAugust]

If the support worker is for you then you may get something out of it temporarily but the main thing is to get your DS assessed properly and the right support for him.

You'll need to get more than a bit pushy I'm afraid. You'll need to turn into an absolute Rottweiler and start demanding the proper support.

We've all gone through the nodding and smiling stage - but you soon realise they only react to very demanding parents - the meek get left at the bottom of the pile unfortunately.

Best wishes

[nannygoatgruff]

Thanks for all your replies.

I'm certainly going to be a lot more assertive at the next appointment - DS will be starting school in Sept, so things need to start moving.