Neurodiversity thread - for all MNetters who are neurodiverse - ASD, ADHD, Dyspraxia and more.

[FaithAscending]

Welcome one and all to the new thread. A safe haven for MNetters who identify as neurodiverse, diagnosis or not, and those waiting for assessment. Links available in recent threads. Newbies welcome. We just ask that you introduce yourself

I agree with Polter about underlying issues. In a similar vein (sp?) I wish it wasn't necessary to have a diagnosis to get certain help, wouldn't it be better if we just sort of gave everyone the help they needed as and when? Of course that would cost a fortune.

I wouldn't know how, Polter. And it still makes me kind of angry, even though a lot of it was so long ago, so I'm not sure I'll ever be able to talk publicly about it in a measured and rational manner.

star, I think quetiapine is more sedating at lower doses, IIRC.

I agree; I think they should at least check for underlying neurodevelopmental issues in children with behavioural or emotional problems.

Write a book Rat? It would be completely fascinating. You so rarely hear anything from a patients perspective, especially mental health patients.

Sorry, I don't mean to sound callous about your life, it's just really interesting. i'm sorry you've been through those things

(I don't mind about the i, it means the same)

Mmm, but then I'd have to make psychiatrists read it

Sadly I think things haven't changed much for young people who have mental health issues alongside autistic spectrum conditions - there just aren't the facilities to deal with them, so they end up in completely the wrong environment for their needs. My best friend works in mental health nursing and sees this a lot. Considering how common it is for autistic teenagers to have mental health problems alongside, you'd think somebody would have come up with a better way to deal with this, but I suppose there just isn't enough funding to go around.

You don't sound callous at all.

Thanks guys - I feel a bit bad for spamming the thread with this stuff. I'm sure lots of people have been through similar but don't talk about it.

Anyway, life is good now

That's very true Polter - sadly, though, even a diagnosis doesn't guarantee help, let alone the right help :( But you're giving your boy the best chance :)

Yes Star I have a friend who's a child psychiatrist and she sees lots of autistic children with other problems too. It's actually gotten a bit worse here recently as they've changed the special needs school system. Before there was extensive provision for 9 types of special education which were free and well funded and any child who fit the profile of one of the types could go to a fitting school. Now (under the banner of inclusion, aka costcutting) a child has to go to mainstream school first and then once it goes wrong and they get various assessments from child psychiatrists that the child really really needs it, they can be referred to special schools. Said friend says she can already see a trend of children getting much more discouraged from not fitting in at school on top of their problems and the measure has only been in place for just over one school year.

"I know, let's make sure that children who need a little extra help have the most traumatic start possible to their school career!"

Inclusion is good but I agree it's sometimes used as an excuse to avoid spending money.

Yes Rat, especially as everyone was always allowed to go to mainstream schools, now they have to.

The option to go mainstream is important too - my cousin really had to fight to get her autistic son with DS into a mainstream school. Partway through juniors he transferred to SS as they could no longer meet his needs, but until then she wanted him to be in mainstream and it was really hard to get that.

Down's syndrome, that is.

How everybody has a lovely sleep.

HOPE, you excremental piece of electronic garbage.

ratty I think it's helpful to hear your story. It shows how misguided 'help' can be. I do have some hope for the future in that adults like myself are getting diagnosed through increased awareness. More and more people having the realisation they're not just a 'weirdo' (see thread in chat and another in this section currently). I do wonder about DD, her 'tantrums' are epic - not usually because she can't have her own way but because of anxiety. Can't really tell if it's just because she's 3 (!) or if all the sensory stuff will stick. I kind of feel like I look to the outside world like I grew up but inside I'm still the scared toddler with all the sensory issues!

I think there's such a huge gap in education. Mainstream schools are limited in supporting children with SEN but so many wouldn't fit at special school either. So they struggle on at mainstream, who can't or don't know how to support them.

I must go to sleep. I'm rambling. Night all!

rivierliedje I have been assuming you're a Dutch Dr Who fan. Is that right??

ratty, your story is really interesting, and a handy reference for the effects of half a psychiatrist's warchest! And for shitty practice. Which is not great for you :( . But also for a story of finding the way despite dangers untold and hardships unnumbered :) . Which is pretty fucking amazing.

Night all! May everyone sleep like they should!

There is a middle ground between mainstream and special schools in the U.K., but they only seem to be around in a few areas. It's called Enhanced Resource, and it's basically a mainstream school with extra and more specialised staff and resources to help children with a particular type of SEN. So 10% of the children are not in the catchment for the school, but access the school because of their SEN. 90% of places are filled as normal.

I am aware of one that is ER for speech and language disorders, including ASD. As standard they are supposed to have simplified and muted displays, make use of Makaton symbols and signs, have a quiet corner of the classroom that is screened off. There are 2 full time SENCOs at the school- one solely for the ER children and one for the mainstream children. Children can use PECS and are taught using TEACCH methods where appropriate. All staff receive regular training to help them support children with speech and language disorders and autism.

It's a shame there aren't more around!

faith I have the same concerns about DD (just 4). On the face of it she's highly intelligent and social, but can still have epic meltdowns/tantrums over silly things- e.g. lumpy socks. I guess time will tell, but at least I'm on the ball and do already make adjustments for her, little things like count down to change of activity. I figure if she's NT it won't do any harm but if she's autistic then at least I've not made things worse for her.

Good morning. I've been awol again. I've been busy trying to fix my RL.
My routine has disappeared and I don't like it. I need routine to know what I'm doing. So I need to try and sort that out.

Had a pretty awful day yesterday, complete with meltdown and sobbing in front of the boys.

I want to join in with all the conversations but I can't focus at the moment. DS1 interrupts my thoughts every few seconds.