When did you stop feeling like a passenger...

[Allforall]

... On the Rollercoaster of parenting a child with additional needs? I feel like I should be better now, more in control of everything, but I still feel like I'm just a passenger riding the crazy Rollercoaster that is parenting a child with asd and subsequent behaviors that challenge.

I feel we finally get a handle on something and then 3 other things pop up. I can't really out into words exactly how I feel, but hopeless will cover it 😔

[Allforall]

Should add : ds is 4, diagnosed with asd at 2. Can be quite able with communicating, but struggles massively with sensory issues and anxiety...

[Allforall]

Anyone?

[Punxsutawney]

Ds is 14 and is only on the asd diagnosis pathway now. I have always suspected but he seemed to just about cope so we didn't pursue a diagnosis. We made a mistake and secondary school has been awful. Ds is struggling more now than he ever has and I feel guilty.

I can understand your thoughts. I'm not sure how to help ds and feel a little lost. He is on a long waiting list for a speech and language assessment, so it will be some time yet before he gets a diagnosis. School aren't great so that in turn is having a negative impact on his mental health, he starts year 11 in September so he has Gcse's on the horizon too

I'm sure you are doing a far better job than you give yourself credit for and things may improve as he matures. Although I think it's normal to feel like you do when your child has additional needs.

[Allforall]

Thank you, pun. 0leased to hesr your son is on the pathway now to grt some support. Hope everything works out for you guys

[LightTripper]

I don't really have much to add as DD is also only 4, but I would say already I think some of her sensory issues are softening a bit (she used to not be able to tolerate hand dryers at all, for example - now she will occasionally even use one). I guess we've also got better at anticipating and avoiding things we know will be difficult/overwhelming.

So he will change and develop and we are learning all the time... is your DS in school yet, or not until September? If you get a supportive school I think that can help a lot (especially if you are home with him all the time at the moment - I never did that but that must be intense).