DC has a social worker and is classed as a Child In Need, under the Children's Act due to autism, SPD, ADHD, learning disability, ARFID. He attend special school, speaks and understands at around the level of 2/3 yo so the SW helps us with finding holiday clubs, arranging direct pay,ents, providing support etc etc. We can have challenging behaviours too, so it's helpful to have someone flag up things like workshops etc, because I am very proactive in learning as much as I can to help DC.
We like our SW very much and were very honest during the assessment process about the impact of our son's behaviours on my physical and mental health (I am the primary carer). We disclosed my DH's alcoholism and the fact that he is now over two years sober. This was all taken into account in the assessment, but we didn't need a general social worker as we were found to be meeting DC's needs well.
DH and I are highly qualified, both to post grad level, both from very respectable universities. I was a teacher before my caring for DC took over. We own our home, run a car, have v little debt. I am working through IPSEA training to help my family and friend navigate the SEN admin. Our kids are, if anything, spoiled for the amount of food, clothes, warmth, toys, input from us etc. SW knows this and, again, it's acknowledged in our report.
But I was diagnosed autistic recently and I don't know if I should tell her. Part of me thinks 'Do' because it could lead to more support for me and my whole family. Equally a part of me thinks 'Don't' because I worry it will introduce a level of doubt in her mind about how I am able to cope. It shouldn't, but I think all of us here know that deep rooted prejudice isn't always easy to overcome. And what if she moved to another case load and we ended up with some battle axe that thought I was unfit to parent? I would absolutely die inside.
WWYD in this situation, fellow ND mumsnetters? Maybe some of you are in a similar situation? Either way I feel like this is the best place to talk this out because you all get it, to a great extent.