Asd, large families and pregnant!

[Sams4lo]

Our ds1 was diagnosed with asd today and possibly ADHD as well. We have 3 other children and I'm pregnant with dc5! Dd2 also has a huge question mark over her about asd as well and is awaiting diagnosis. Has anyone had any experience with a larger family and asd? Many thanks in advance for any replies :)

Welcome, though i only have 3, it's chaos and very hard at times. More dc means you're running a social skills and communication group 24/7, which has to be good . Also with ds1 being delayed in the social-communication-behaviour areas it's quite good having little siblings, an excuse to watch the baby most appropriate tv programmes, play with Wendy houses etc.

Claim disability living allowance ASAP and use it for a cleaner, and maybe someone to help out after the birth.

Keep good records re doctors/schools/appointments - keep their files separate.
If you don't, you end up with all the kids at the same paediatrician and forgetting which one you're talking about

Thank u so much for ur tips and words :) I'm def going to look in to dla and a cleaner would be really helpful I think :) the organisation side is full on here, as they are all homeeducated as well so have to be on the ball for the appts :)

Dd1 is 9, ds1 is 6, dd2 is 5, ds2 is 2 and baby is due in June :) it's full on but they are all so close it works :) x

Have a look at moondog's training thread. it's a one-day course in Feb, in London. Knowing how to do aba might suit you and the dc well.