Sorry to post this on here need quick help!

[DozyDuck]

DS (ASD) has just escaped out of the car while I was getting in, ran into next doors garden, grabbed their gnome and threw it into the next garden along. It smashed all over the floor. I got DS into the house and am now upstairs with him. I don't know what to do!

I don't think they're in but there is a smashed gnome in someone's drive and if I try to get out there with DS to clear it he's bound to get away and do it again :,(

I'll obviously pay for a new gnome but what if it had some sort of personal value??? What if someone gets hurt on the glass? I'm stuck inside with DS in full meltdown :,( I feel awful!

I think you have done all you can. Maybe buy them a bottle of wine or plant or something. I have had problems with neighbours in past and when I Moved a few years ago I went out of my way to explain how seriously affected my ds was by his autism. It has helped over the years as they seem to be very understanding. I have also always asked them to tell me if we disturb them and have bought nice wine for them at Christmas etc. it felt very uncomfortable to be telling strangers that my ds was severely autistic but I would rather do this than them think we were mistreating ds when he is in a screaming meltdown or banging doors. They have always assured us that they hardly hear us but I think they are just being nice although we obviously do our best. Maybe using this as an opportunity to let them know why your ds is so noisy and challenging might help in the long run. Please keep pushing for some help too. We now have quite a bit of help and this has helped hugely. Also ds has improved as he has got older. I think when he was around 5 it was very hard as he just didn't have the communication skills and was very very challenging. You sound like youre doing a great job, even though you probably don't feel that way.

Don't feel bad :( I think you need to go to ss or the gp and kick up a MASSIVE fuss. Do not take no for an answer! Don't feel grateful for the scraps they try and offer you, you need respite and you need to make sure you get it. I have worked on play schemes for children with special needs in Lancashire and we have had children who are 2:1 so it must be possible to get funding for it.

I'm so sorry, I have realised that my post above is incorrect. HomeStart can only help families with a child under 3.
I have reported to MNHQ so the post should be removed soon.

Try SS again. Section 17 of the children's act -child in need- covers children with disabilities.
Ask on SN board to see of anyone else is in Lancs and what their provision is like for children with disabilities then you've an idea of what to aim for.

Its under 5 in my area bewitched

Thanks everyone. I think whatever I do now I'll be on a waiting list longer than the summer holidays so I'll talk to SS and school in September when I have more time so hopefully get something in place for the holidays next year.

Today has been fab! We went to a fair and he was amazing and he is asleep already! (how long for is anyone's guess )

Thanks for all your help everyone I was on a really bad way Friday and it really helped to talk it all through.

DSs dad had a hard night with him so I'm glad he didn't go away or that would have been me again. I felt better after a good rest on Friday night