DS finally has diagnosis.

[NoIdeaWhyTheNameChange]

"Autism spectrum disorder"

I've no idea why I've name changed.

Do I email the school with the diagnosis.

I feel like I should do something.

I imagined a gold certificate I could stick on the fridge door. Instead I just have confirmation from a professional that I'm not just a really crap mum, there is actually a reason for DSs behaviour.

I've got what I wanted and now I don't know what to do with it.

I dont know your back-story but I imagine that this has been impacting on his abilities to perform at school. Has it affected handwriting, ability to organise himself, social skills, his ability to take part in sports, how he responds to teachers etc etc?
Thats what school need to know so that they can make adequate allowance for that fact that he has extra needs.

I understand the 'not being a crap mum' thing....I slightly wanted to run into school, wave it under their noses and go 'nah-nah-na-na-nah'. But I am an adult .
Diagnosis has made a difference as DS has extra support for writing, social skills, social groups, anti-bullying work with his class, understanding re PE, selected exemption for language subjects.

Thanks for posting, porridgelover.

"I slightly wanted to run into school, wave it under their noses and go 'nah-nah-na-na-nah'. " Oh yes, and every head teacher he's ever had!

Mostly DS is coping well atm, and I don't think he needs support, just for his teachers to be aware of his weaknesses.

To pick up on languages..why would there be an exemption from language subjects? - DS absolutely hates the language he does, and rarely completes a whole lesson. Most DC of "his ability" do two languages. He's very able at maths and science, not too bad at English, so the school were surprised when he did so badly in their language aptitude test. DS hates language lessons so much he tells me he won't be doing the GCSE exam. He's working at a level 2...most of his subjects he's a level 7. I want him to continue with language lessons, but didn't realise he might have a genuine difficulty.

When Dd3 was dx'ed CAMHS sent a copy of the diagnosis letter to school.

I still went and told the SENCO aswell though, just in case.

Actually she and the CT had really helped with the process so I wanted to let them know.

I have asked CAHMS to send a copy to school, but apparently due to the back log, we won't actually get a written report (or what ever it is) until the end of October.

I was going to email the head of year, but as DS doesn't know about the diagnosis (he never asked why we kept going to CAHMS) I want to speak to school over the phone. I kind of feel I'm going behind DSs back,as he's not a little boy anymore, but I'm not sure how to broach this with him. The psychologist said there was a page about talking to DC about their diagnosis on the NAS website, but I can't find it!

Is this the page you are looking for?

Re language.... when we got our diagnosis, my DS's school principal asked me if this was something that I wanted for him. When I thought about it, it makes sense. I loved languages at school but he truly struggles with it. So he still does those subjects but teacher understands that while DS is bright and achieves really well at literacy and numeracy, it's ''normal'' that he doesn't get languages.

I'm not an expert on this so someone may have a better explanation.He struggles with language because his expressive language is better than his receptive. So I presume it follows for other languages too.
If anything, his difficulties would be worse in a foreign one? Saying that, his father (who I reckon has undiagnosed ASD) excelled at German...perhaps because it's a rule bound language? DS may have the option to do that later and if so I will encourage him.

Thank you for the link.

While I really wish DS had been offered German, sadly it was not to be! Having had a little think about it, we've always tried really hard not to....and I'm not going to phrase this very well....made concessions for him. Yes, we avoid certain things which he won't be able to cope with, but I really don't want to use the diagnosis as an excuse for him not to do something he might find a bit difficult. We all have to do things that we don't find easy in life. If he becomes disruptive in lessons again I may re-think this.

and isnt it good? Not that anyone wnats their child to have difficulties, but having a reason for those difficulties, knowing its not your fault, as I say, its not a badge of honour, and why should we have to prove it, doctors and specialists are there to do a job but at the end of the day were the ones that live with the child and KNOW them.

so glad youve got a confirmation, OP, Im STILL, after 12 years waiting for certain things to be confirmed.