introducing myself to you knowledgeable people

[ineedstrongcoffee]

I thought i would introduce myself on this board because you know how it is when you have questions and nobody in real live would know the answers,well you lovey ladies always seem to ask each other the same quesstions and answers that run through my head.
I have a wonderful little fella age 7 who keeps me busy lol
He was dx with autism at 4.He attends a fab resource unit and life is great at the moment,sen transport being my biggest issues at the mo(i feel lucky when i read other people fights and battles for help).
The only problem i have is loneliness.I know nobody else with a child as severe as mine.Ive attended a support group a couple of times but felt really disconnected,so what im probably asking is how would i meet people who have children at the lower functioning end of the spectrum.
It will be nice getting to know you all on this forum.

[IndigoBell]

Hi and welcome.

Friends in real life? Us virtual friends are far better

Do you ever get to meet any of the other Mums from your DSs school?

[ineedstrongcoffee]

Thanks
He only started in september and cos he gets transport i have never met the parents.Heres to hoping i might meet a couple with xmas plays coming up and stuff(IF MOO does what he did at last school and kidnaps baby jesus,that might break the ice).
I think work gets in the way of a better social life for me,i dont really resent being a SN mum but i wish i was a rich one who could retire

[IndigoBell]

I have to say life has got a lot better for me since I've reduced my hours down to 4 days a week.

And the only reason I do that is so that I can get up to school once a week.

I've always worked full time. Went back to work when all 3 of mine were 2 or 3 months old.......

Are there any other SN children's stuff you can join? Swimming or sport or soft play or something? So that you can meet other mums?

[BakeliteBelle]

Hi indeed!

I know exactly what you mean too about feeling alienated at support groups when your DS is much more severely disabled than others. Someone said on here a while back - and I agree - that parents with severely autistic children actually tend to have more in common with parents with SLD children. It is the SLD that defines how life is, not necessarily the autism. SLD often comes hand in hand with autistic behaviours anyway, whether they have a diagnosis of autism or not.

I wish this board existed when DS was young. I hope it is a friend to you.

[lisad123]

I gave up work last year and made loads of sn parent friends. Where in uk are you?
have you found a local support group?
just come in here, they are a fabby bunch

[ineedstrongcoffee]

Awww thanks for the welcomes.
We are lliving in west yorkshire.like i said before now moo is all settled at school and i can catch my breath again (because i wasnt sure he would settle) i need friend time.
so im going to get my hours re-arranged at work so that i can get out there and get mixing.Its going to be my new mission cos you know us SN mums always need a challenge.

[unpa1dcar3r]

Hello there Strong Coffee. Welcome.
Love this page on MN, a real nice bunch.
One of the key negatives in becoming a carer whether it's for our children, our partners or parents, is the isolation we can experience.

have you tried contacting your local carers support group? SS should have their number, they might know of other parents in your position.

[Becaroooo]

Hello and welcome!

No advice as my ds1 is also at a "new" school so I have yet to make good contacts with other parents, however, I have taken steps and joined the School Friends Association (raises funds for the school to subsidise trips etc) and one my CRB is sorted am going to be a parent helper.



Is its an option then reducing/altering your hours is a really good idea so you can be more visable at school events etc.

Does the school have a parents support group at all?

[davidsotherhalf]

a few years ago when my dd was at a ss they organised coffee mornings once a month so parents could get together and support each other. is it possible to phone ds's school to see if they do anything like this, or ask if it's possible to organise one.

[chickensaresafehere]

Know how you are feeling ineedstrongcoffee,my dd has just started at a ms school and I find the mums/dads are quite cliquey and view me as 'that mum with the child that doesn't speak'.
Dd's special need is rare(she has no speech at all but does not have ASD),so there are no support groups in my area either.
It is very lonely and that is why I come on MN nearly every day,as I feel everyone here understands alot better!!Bit sad though isn't it really