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Original poster

Child diagnosed with autism, now what?

19 replies

MyYorkshireFarm · 12/10/2023 19:42

As the title says really. My 8 year old was officially given the autism diagnosis today. I wasn’t expecting it to be honest. Not sure what to do next. Any advice or suggestions from people who’ve already done this?

OP posts:
Mum3563 · 12/10/2023 19:50

Are his needs being met, at home or at school? Have you spoken to his SENCO?

Mum3563 · 12/10/2023 19:53

Does your 8yo know? There may be some SEN groups locally that might be worth introducing him to, so he meets others who are autistic too.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

8 year olds SEN
gotomomo · 12/10/2023 19:54

Firstly he's still the same child, mostly life stays the same. Hopefully it will make it easier to access specific support. My dd was diagnosed at 2 and years later I helped run a support group for parents of newly diagnosed children, there might be one near you if that will help?

Dsautism · 12/10/2023 19:56

Are you claiming DLA for him/her.

How is your child at school? Does he/she have an EHCP?

Nothing really changed for us. To be honest ds has always been ds he's grown with it. I was expecting it and the pathway was quite long so was not a shock.

I hope your OK 💐

Theunamedcat · 12/10/2023 20:02

Reality was nothing changed I was fine without a label others were not so I got someone to slap a label on him nothing changed but now when we apply for funding etc we say "due to his autism" instead of "x has additional needs"

Original poster
MyYorkshireFarm · 12/10/2023 20:35

Thanks everyone. He has multiple other additional needs so school already heavily supportive. They also said they didn’t think he was autistic so it’s not just me

no he doesn’t have an EHCP, they keep telling me he doesn’t need one yet. This might change that though, I’ll wait and see what they say

yes we are on the lowest rate for DLA, I’ll contact them in the morning and see if this changes anything. I have been refused a carers allowance in the past because I work too many hours but I’ll look into that again too.

ill have a look for support groups in the area, I’m sure there must be some!

@Mum3563 he doesn’t know. He is developmentally delayed so had the assessment and didn’t even ask what it was for. He has several friends with autism so he has a basic understanding of it though

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 12/10/2023 22:18

You could get some books to help explain the condition to yourself and your child and wider family x

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/10/2023 22:20

My Dd had follow up support after assessment. Will you receive that?

caringcarer · 12/10/2023 22:54

@MyYorkshireFarm, I think Carers Allowance is if you earn less than X amount it's not how many hours you work. Also you can only claim it for a child on middle rate DLA.

Littlefish · 12/10/2023 22:55

MyYorkshireFarm · 12/10/2023 20:35

Thanks everyone. He has multiple other additional needs so school already heavily supportive. They also said they didn’t think he was autistic so it’s not just me

no he doesn’t have an EHCP, they keep telling me he doesn’t need one yet. This might change that though, I’ll wait and see what they say

yes we are on the lowest rate for DLA, I’ll contact them in the morning and see if this changes anything. I have been refused a carers allowance in the past because I work too many hours but I’ll look into that again too.

ill have a look for support groups in the area, I’m sure there must be some!

@Mum3563 he doesn’t know. He is developmentally delayed so had the assessment and didn’t even ask what it was for. He has several friends with autism so he has a basic understanding of it though

Is your child in year 4?

If so, I would absolutely recommend applying for an EHCP.

It's great that your child is well supported at school, but without an EHCP, that support can be removed by the school at anytime. An EHCP is legally binding and ensures that a child receives the support which has been agreed.

I would also push for an EHCP, or apply yourself, so that it's in place before the transition to secondary school.

Original poster
MyYorkshireFarm · 13/10/2023 09:38

@Littlefish i wasn’t aware of that. I’ve got parents evening next week so I’ll tell the teacher I want to start that process now. Thank you

OP posts:
x2boys · 13/10/2023 09:49

MyYorkshireFarm · 12/10/2023 20:35

Thanks everyone. He has multiple other additional needs so school already heavily supportive. They also said they didn’t think he was autistic so it’s not just me

no he doesn’t have an EHCP, they keep telling me he doesn’t need one yet. This might change that though, I’ll wait and see what they say

yes we are on the lowest rate for DLA, I’ll contact them in the morning and see if this changes anything. I have been refused a carers allowance in the past because I work too many hours but I’ll look into that again too.

ill have a look for support groups in the area, I’m sure there must be some!

@Mum3563 he doesn’t know. He is developmentally delayed so had the assessment and didn’t even ask what it was for. He has several friends with autism so he has a basic understanding of it though

A,diagnosis won't change the rate of DLA ,unless his needs have increased as it goes on needs ,not diagnosis
I agree that it's worth looking into applying for an EHCP.,as a parent you can app!y for one yourself
But have school not talked about applying for one ?

AceofPentacles · 13/10/2023 09:54

Read lots of books about parenting autistic children

Original poster
MyYorkshireFarm · 13/10/2023 15:23

@x2boys ive talked to them about it multiple times but always been told he’s not at the point he needs one yet. He’s functioning at a year below the one he’s in, so they’ve said it’s not necessary yet

OP posts:
Saxendi · 13/10/2023 16:43

A good source of information

www.autism.org.uk/

Mum3563 · 14/10/2023 13:53

Maybe it would be good to get an EHCP in place well before he starts secondary school. And may want to identify if he needs speech therapy or occupational therapy if he's behind where he should be at school. There's. 2-3 year waiting list unfortunately.

Original poster
MyYorkshireFarm · 14/10/2023 22:36

@Mum3563 his speech seems to be ok and he’s already in OT due to other issues :)

OP posts:
Phineyj · 14/10/2023 22:54

I don't understand what they mean by "he doesn't need one yet". Odd way of looking at it.

I applied for an EHCP for my autistic child at the beginning of year 5. We're well into year 6 and I'm on my second tribunal. Schools are really not the best guide to EHCP. Try IPSEA instead.

It's the transition from year 6 to year 7 that's crucial to try to get right.

Anyway, welcome to the club I guess and knowledge is power.

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