ASD/ADD - book and website recommendations please

[TinyTeachr]

Eldest DD (7) school suggested ASD and ADD when she was 5. It's not an issue academically and she copes well enough so a haven't pushed for an official diagnosis at this time. She stimms (bouncing on the spot, hand flapping, humming a repeated phrase) but mostly when she is relaxed at home rather than at school. I suppose that could be masking at school. She really doesnt understand some things that others might get intuitively - she really doesntget it when someone fibs and finds it hard to drop it and move on.

DTwins are 3 and have recently started preschool. Preschool have concerns. They have asked SENCO to observe and they are suggesting ASD. However, unlike DD, some of the behaviour is disruptive.... one of them obsessed over the colour red. It is a BIG issue if someone takes the last red colouring pencil. He may get upset if someone takes one when he is lining them up by colour order. The other twin is a menace around water. He LOVES water play and pouring. He knows not to pour water cups at the dinner table. However at preschool there is a table where they can help themselves to water from a jug....

I'm not sure what to do to help my children. I'm concerned that the preschool is going to say they can't come back in September and I'll have to find somewhere else for them. Or if they do stay, I don't want them to be thought of as naughty "problem" children. I want to help them to cope with school.

All 3 are bright. The twins can read and are good with numbers and will sometimes write simple words of their own volition or encouraged by their sister. Yet they struggle withthings that seem easy to other children and they find it hard to sit still.

Any recommendations for books/websites that can help me understand and maybe help the younger ones with the transition to school?

Probably the best resource for support and information at this stage is the SN Children Section on MN.

They can talk you through things like requesting Assessment, the Assessment process, applying for an ECHP and what therapies to ask for and just generally being supportive.

Have you spoken to the school again about your DC1? I would, the waiting lists can be long and ideally you want her assessed before starting height school as this is the time that usually the pressures of High School and Puberty collide.

If Preschool SENCO are suggesting ASD, have they said what the next step is?

All evidence suggests that early intervention results in the best outcomes. I really would encourage you to seek assessments for them if you can.

The school didn't seem to think there would be any benefit to eldest for getting a formal assessment as there would be any extra support for her - she doesn't have any particular "needs" in an educational setting IYSWIM?

The preschool have said they can continue with half days in September to help with the transition, which they don't normally do. Other than that they are doing what they can I think. The boys may well need more support in the long run, so I'll look into getting an official diagnosis. The SENCO didnt seem to be forthcoming about potential next steps, but she did say the main issue from her perspective is lunchtime - they seem to find the noise in the hall overwhelming. I'm wondering if ear defenders may be an option.