Attack of the Killer Nerves! - Might get DS1's official diagnosis today!

[coppertop]

Ds1 has been at the Child Development Unit seeing the multi-disciplinary team for a full assessment. The case conference is later this morning and I'm sooo nervous!

I'm hoping that we will get a diagnosis today as ds1 saw everyone he needed except for the Physio - who was off sick on the day of the appointment. He managed to charm everyone and had the hospital SALT in hysterics at how accurately he copied her voice (speaking in other people's voices is one of his more unusual talents!). The Psychologist found his unique way of doing the tests to be most amusing. The OT wanted to cuddle him and take him home with her.

In between all this I think he showed quite a few of his autie traits, including a meltdown on Day 1 when he first saw the OT - he wasn't impressed with the change to his normal routine. The OT commented on how different he was when he was calm and when he wasn't (not just an NT difference IYSWIM).

Now I'm feeling all nervous again. Arrrggghhh!

Take some deep breaths, coppertop, and have a strong cup of tea/coffee/vodka (maybe not vodka). Hope you get the outcome you need.

Good luck coppertop!

I have been thinking of you all week and really hope you get the dx. I may be insanely jealous though if you do !! XXXX

Oh coppertop know exactly what you mean, I get attack of the killer nerves every time I have to see anyone with dd (ask these lot on musmsnet!)

Good Luck and let us know how you get on

All the best Coppertop!

Holding on tight for you....
XXX

Good luck to you Coppertop! Will be thinking of you....

Let us know ASAP

Well, I was still feeling nervous when I arrived at the CDU - until I discovered that some of the staff had accidentally locked themselves in one of the rooms and no one could find the keys to open the door! (MrsF - was that you in there?? ) After that I realised that I would never quite see these people in the same way again!

The team went through all of ds1's difficulties and described him as "a very unique little boy". In some areas he was at the level of an 18-month old (mostly because of sensory problems) and in other levels he had the abilities of a 5-year-old. They all agreed that when he is calm he is very easy to teach and picks things up very quickly.

The Paed said that her official diagnosis is that he is at the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum.

The Early Years Service is visiting his future school next week, and will be arranging some training for the Reception teachers. They will also hopefully be able to give me the Earlybird info. The team will be arranging visual timetables for ds1 and will be teaching the school about how to use the program for it.

So it looks as though things will be busy for a while, preparing the school for ds1. I'm so pleased that we've finally got a proper dx. (Sorry MrsF ) I can't believe I'm celebrating that someone has told me my child is autistic but hopefully you lot will know what I mean about it being a relief.

Thanks for all your messages of support. xxx

NOW get those DLA forms!!!!!!

Oh! and a grudging "CONGRATULATIONS!!!"

No, Twas not me locking the door....but I could tell you about the time when.......But Ah! I'll save that for another day!

Congratulations and comiserations You know what I mean

Yes, same here Coppertop.

MrsF - Are you my portage worker in disguise? That was the very first thing she said when the Paed had finished explaining the dx! "Now you can get DLA!"

Isn't it horrible though when the dx is given and suddenly there are all these people looking at you waiting to see what your reaction will be? Or is that just my paranoia again?

Glad you know at last coppertop and you weren't told anything you didn't expect. Feels weird as I remember posting ds's diagnosis last May and I don't think there was even a Special Needs section on MN then.

We are also in the process of sorting out schools for ds, it seems quite complicated but very flexible too. We hope he can go to our very small local village school with support.

Good luck with the DLA forms also.