4yr old DS just diagnosed with ASD - what to expect...

[Should1be2working]

Our eldest little boy was yesterday diagnosed with having an autistic spectrum disorder. Definitely not a surprise but am feeling a bit overwhelmed now that it's become a reality.
I was hoping some of you out there might be able to give me some good advice about what to expect next. It feels as though we're about to have a million and one people descend upon us and I've no idea how all the funding and support in school/nursery will work etc. So happy that we're getting some help at last but got to admit that it feels a bit daunting!
Any first hand advice would be great. (also new to Mumsnet so not very sure if all my acronyms are right - any help here also appreciated!)

Thanks! XX

For us? Nothing happened next. We got a dx and that was it as far as the NHS was concerned.

Totally depends where you live, how old your son is, and what problems he has.......

What help are you expecting? Portage? SALT?

Do you need to apply for a statement? Is he at preschool? school?

Hi should and welcome to the board. Am sad and happy for you that your little boy has been diagnosed.

This is a great place to ask questions and you need to be kind to yourself and take some time out to get your head around it

My Dd3 is 9 and she was diagnosed with ASD in september 2011.

Good luck.

yes our experience has been a lot like Indigo's in terms of the NHS.

diagnosis given and that's it.

Thankfully DS1 is in a great school who are very understanding and supportive so we have so far not had to battle for anything at all. Of course it helps that he is high-functioning

what I really lack is just people to talk to who are going through the same hting. Here is great, but it would be lovely to have this support in real life too

Thanks Ineedalife - good to hear from people who are going through the same thing. I hope things are going well for you.

IndigoBell - Speech and language therapist and occupational therapist both going to be working with DS at home and nursery (he goes to school in September). We've signed a form to apply for funding so presume this translates to a statement but no idea about the process. Health Visitor is coming back to see us next week so gives me a chance to ask all the questions then. Just interested to hear other people's experiences/advice. Are you getting the support you need now?

Hi Should1. Hope you are feeling OK. It's such a mix of emotions at this stage.

I wouldn't assume that applying for funding will translate to a statement. The assessment process is at least 6 months usually. It may be that the funding applied for is for in the meantime. I would double check that a statutory assessment has been applied for or requesting it yourselves is often better. There are standard letters on the Ipsea website which are worth looking at. Education and health really don't talk to each other as much as you would think.

Nothing was forthcoming for us after Dx either TBH. Dd3 has been discharged from everything.

However she is at a brilliant school and they have already put her in a social skills group and are getting SALT back in to see her and are now doing her physio too.

I would definitly apply for a statement, if you think your DS will need support at school. Many schools are not great at supporting our kids.

Hope your health visitor is able to help you, good luck.

Thanks everyone. Will defnitiely ask HV about statement. Fingers crossed that the school our DS goes to gives him the right support. Lots of unknowns at the moment but certainly feel more positive that we're on the road to getting him some help. XX

Some one on here told me to see a diagnosis as a signpost pointing us in the right direction to help our children. I really like to think of it that way.

Be kind to yourself and eat chocolate whenever you need to.