ASD DIAGNOSIS

[mompa]

My DS who is 3 next month was diagnosed as ADS yesterday. Don't know where to go from here or what the future holds. I don't know where he is on the sprectrum. How can I find out? Any help or advice much appreciated

First of all take a little time to get used to the idea. Even if you're pushing for the diagnosis it can be a shock when it happens so allow yourself lots of time to get your head round it. Also remember that it doesn't change the child you already know and love.

There is a lot of information on the National Autistic Society website with links to useful books too.

There are lots of thread on here about children with ASD and you can always ask specific questions too.

Where a child is on the spectrum is hard to say because they have such different levels of difficulty in so many different ways.

There's also a forum for parents and carers of children with AS and ASD which is called ASDFriendly. It may be worth your while Googling it and joining (it's free).

Sharing the diagnosis with friends and relatives can be hard too. Don't be surprised if some don't accept it. It can be hard to deal with.

Contact the NAS National Autistic Society. On some pages here on MN they have an advert at top of page.

My DD (5) was just diagnosed in the summer. It does take time to accept, time to decide what you want for DS, time to get it and time for others to learn and understand his way of seeing the world. We were not really told where DD is on the spectrum, just that Speech and Language difficulties mean she is not HFA or AS. Do you have a verbal diagnosis or a report? Have you considered the ASD workshops run by NHS? They enable you to understand and discuss ASD issues and meet other local parents. I found it usefull.

Is he starting nursery or going to playgroup? Is your Health Visitor any good? Mine has ASD kids so was great and referred me to more services....although thanks to MN I know more than her!

Just remember take it slowly, read what you can, let your emotions out and he is still you special little boy. :)

We were referred onto the EarlyBird course for parents of newly diagnosed children with ASD.

I can't remember who referred us but here is some info: earlybird

It was so useful and helped us get our heads round what it really meant for him and us

Look at the "After Diagnosis" advice leaflet, which you can down load from their web site.

Thanks so much for your replies. Will get report in 3 weeks. Health Visitor is going to help me with DLA forms next week. Yes he is already at specialist nursery for 2 sessions a week which is private and not funded and mainstream for another 2. He has very little language and behaviour and is very very challenging.Psediatriian said to ask for high rate care. They told me about early Bird but I work full time so will be hard to do this. My family have not even responded to my phone calls yet.Paediatrician said that in Surrey one in 80 children have ASD??

Download the cerebra guide to DLA from their website and type out all the answers as a word document, the boxes are very small, add reports and statements from Nursey, HV and lots of examples of behaviour...and nothing positive Im afraid. Ive just done mine...nearly and it is very wearing, negative and hard work but hopefully worth it in the end. I got lots of help from MN. :)

Its a shame about your family, give them time, look after you and yours for now.

Think about applying for a Statement of Special Educational Needs. (SEN). Your nursery can start this process.

Do try to get time to do the course its usually two separate days and very usefull. x

The key to High Rate care is needs care at night - the criteria is same for middle and high rate just for high you need to get up in night - Cerebra guide sets it out - make sure you say how often you are up and for how long reduces risk of being turned down.

You should be entitled to more nursery support - 5 sessions per week from age 3 but here working parents can apply for more and for 1:1 to be funded.

You can ask SEN officer at Council to send info on funding for 3 and 4 year olds with SEN. You can get 1:1 support at nursery without a statement - but should apply for statement too as soon as you can

Also look at Contact a Family guides re social services assessments etc

Two ways of finding out where on spectrum - long period of observation by specialist teacher - or by ed psych testing (but depends on child being co-operative). You should self refer to ed psych as they are people to tell you what level of intervention needed / which most suitable setting etc

Also do some reading about ABA.

Where are you in Country? May be people on here who can tell you whats available locally.

NAS also run HELP! one day courses for those with new diagnosis if look on their site.