Autism and tests.

[Klac30]

How do you manage it? Ds is 10 and had asd. Tests are hell. He's been tested twice so far. Both last year - he didn't really know what was coming but hated it. Second time around was hell as he knew what was coming. Even just doing the nose was hell. He's so strong and was just resisting.

It's inevitable he'll need a test at some point this winter.

How do you manage?

Would it be mad to 'practise' testing with lfts. He's off to secondary next year. I do wonder where the country will be and whether lft testing in schools will still be a thing. Seems unlikely it'll be stopped soon.

I have a very bright DC 13 who has some sensory issues and is 2 years in with the assessment process for ASD.

I thought he wouldn't get on with testing, but he does it himself, twice a week now, and it hasn't been a problem.

We watched this video first

www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1138454903342634

@herecomesthsun

I have a very bright DC 13 who has some sensory issues and is 2 years in with the assessment process for ASD.

I thought he wouldn't get on with testing, but he does it himself, twice a week now, and it hasn't been a problem.

That's good but unfortunately the mention of a test sends DS into a meltdown 🥴

I'm just doing the nose (and letting him do it himself)I know full well if I attempt throat ill be covered in vomit. It's not as accurate or possibly slightly accurate, but it's the best we can do.
*have only attempted 2 lfts though

Op do you do it in front of him? Me and dd1 do regular lfts and sometimes dd2 (who has ASD) is there. Dd2 can see it’s unpleasant but over quickly. I recently suggested that she might like to have a go and she agreed she’d like to try it, so I think tomorrow I’ll lay out the bits of the lft and do my own and see if she wants to copy. Dd2 also has pda syndrome so I wouldn’t put her under pressure.

You only need to do the nose with 10 year olds if that makes it easier!

DD10 doesn't have a diagnosis but she's on the asd pathway and has sensory issues. First PCR was hell. Somehow after about 30 minutes of trying to coax her in the car she agreed to do it herself. 2nd time was much easier because she knew she'd be in control of it.

So just nose, would he practice himself at home with a cotton bud when he's more relaxed? They told me that the swab doesn't need to go very far up a child's nose, I think it making good contact with the walls of the nostril is more important than how far up it goes.

Good luck

Thank you all. We just did the nose also but even that was bad for him ... I'm forward thinking for now but I feel it'll be soon enough once he catches something at school!

I may try do an lft in front of him so he can see! I don't need to take one but just so he can see...

Mine do it themselves. He is a bit old now for restraining and doing it. Persuasion or isolation for the required time.

I started doing lateral flow before we were advised to, because having done one (when everyone in my area had to) and it being so awful, I decided desensitisation was the way to go, so could be well worth a shot! It worked really well for me.