DS expelled (KS2), waiting for aspergers assessment, come and tell me what the hell I should do and talk to me about home educating - would that drive me completly mad?!!

[triggerfish]

can anyone give more info on aspergers and what will happen next..

I will definately check out what the score is tomorrow with regards to when he will be back in full time education. I guess half term gives them an extra week to sort something out. Oh god, its all very scary now. I feel stupid if I've just been taking the schools word for whats happening. You've made me realise I have a lot of calls to make in order to get the help DS deserves.

Be positive. Huge changes can be made, adn your child can be happy and productive at school.

Thanks Mabanana!

I'm finally off to bed now, but seriously, I have been exactly where you are now, adn it's so different now. My ds is happy and calm and they really love him at school. The social side still isn't easy, but we are making progress. The more help you have, and the more knowlege you have, the better it will be. I used to be told I was scaring the teachers by being so assertive, but now they admit I was right!

We were even told to bring ds home at lunchtime because he was turning over chairs etc - your story is my story!

Thats so good to hear Mabanana. You've given me such hope for our situation. Have a good sleep! Thankyou

triggerfish I realise that a lot of this is very scary. My ds was not dx until he was 9 years old and that was because he had a complete and utter breakdown. He too found it very hard at unstructured times (playtimes) and the fear of rejection by his peers was awful.

The teachers always used to write in his reports that he could do better, that he was underachieving. The thing is there is a certain way that AS children have to be taught. They are very bright but they struggle with a social and communication disorder and it is very real.

You need to take this one step at a time now. Go to your GP, ask to be referred to CAMHS for a diagnostic assessment. Tell your GP what has happened, what you believe your ds has. DO NOT WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL TO DO IT. It is not actually their place to do it, it needs a qualified Consultant Psychologist to dx Aspergers.

Do in the meantime apply for an assessment. Tell them your ds is undergoing assessment for Aspergers too.

I have received an awful lot of help from this site ASD Friendly. They have been a godsend to be honest. I too was in your position, waiting for a dx and all the time wondering what I should do. They give honest, friendly and informed advice. You might also, if you read the boards, find that there is alot that is relevant to your ds and it might help you.

I shall log in tomorrow night to see how you are. Take care.

Another possibility is asking the GP to refer you to a developmental paediatrician (note that type, certainly not a community paed). CAMHS certainly have their place but their response can be mixed when it comes to ASD.

IPSEA and or SOS;SEN are very good and can advise with the educational side of things. I think that IPSEA too have some info re exclusions on their website.

www.ipsea.org.uk

Tigerfish, hugs to you. We have been there!! DS is 10, and went through 2 miserable years at school before he was DX'd a few months ago (with AS).

The head decided he was a naught boy, and excluded him more times than I can count. His teacher tried to support him, but the head and SENCO were pathetic.

His time table was graudually reduced, first so I collected him at 2.30, then at midday, and eventually the were trying to make me come and get him at 10.30!!!

He's no longer in school and has 5 hours a week of home tution (provided grudgingly by the LEA). He's actually doing well with this, and although it's a far from perfect arrangement, I think he's getting more useful lesson time than he was at school.

You need to persue a DX yourself - as other people have said. The GP will refer you to CAMHS and CAMHS will arrange for assessment. You are in a much stronger position to fight for you son if he has a DX.

What a day! I can't believe I've made it to friday night and I haven't even opened a bottle of wine! I picked DS up at 12.15 and attempted to get him to do his work at home as instructed. All he wanted to do was play in the garden! My DH contacted the G.P. who was of no use. He said it wasn't his place to make referrals. AARGH! Now I am mad as we have to wait until monday to go back and insist upon it. Thanks again for all your helpful advice, it really is great.

How are things going triggerfish?

Does your LA have a team that supports AS kids in school ours does and they give lots of really valuable advice.
Ds is 11 and has AS his early experience of school was very similar to your ds's but he has had fantastic support since y5 and is now thriving at secondary school.
In short keep plugging away at school it will be worth it in the long run.
Are you able to advise the school waht the triggers for his behaviour are. Each time you are called to take him home ask the teacher exactly what happened prior to melt down it will help you build a pattern of triggers and if the school are made aware it might reduce the number of incidents.