Ambitious about Autism courses and workshops, have they've been useful to you and your DC?

[Tambaboy]

DS 6.7, recently dx-ed with ASD and it was a bit of a shock to say the least. We took him to paed as recommended by his SALT and we came out with a dx, I was hoping for support and strategies, something a bit more useful than a letter saying my lovely DS in on the spectrum. He at least got a referral to OT and we are going for his second session next week. Anyway...the paed recommended us the Tony Atwood book and that was it, she didn't put us down to an early bird plus course as DS is not "aggressive". We went to a 2 hour course by the local autism charity and it was good but we need more practical stuff, strategies we can take home and implement and make life easier for DS. When they talked about the sensory stuff we felt we needed to know more.
DS can be quite passive and we have to micromanage almost everything he does, he struggles at school, he's sensory seeking constantly, sucking toys, watching TV upside down, he is the sort of absent minded kid that is unaware of his surroundings and can't concentrate. But he is very clever. Visual schedules are working, Headsprout reading program is working and we hope the OT input will work too.
I am constantly reading MNSN forums for ideas and advice and it has been invaluable, but we need more. I am in the position of being able to take a year off work and I was wondering how useful all the AAA courses were, we are novices in the subject after all. ABA in particular, could help a boy that need constant prompting to do everything?

Sorry for long post, any advice appreciated.

Thanks for your comment, we were so shocked and we didn't know anything at the time so I didn't challenge what she said. I'll chase it up at the follow up appointment.

It took us more than a year to get a course. Dx April '12. I drove over 3 hours (1 way) to get a 2 hour seminar one night in May '13, then I drove another 3 hours a different direction (taking a day's leave) for a 1 day course, and finally got the "Incredible Years" course over 6 evenings (2 hours a night, 1 night a week) starting the night we got back from hols (notice came while we were away) - 2 more nights to go (and I need to get babysitters for both those as DH back travelling overseas this week, he hasn't gone to any between his travels and needing a babysitter when home).

They have all been some help, in understanding DD and her needs, and getting some practical things in place for us. But talking to other parents at the courses, and reading the board on MN, have probably been the most useful of all. Because they know the realities and the practicalities.

Passivity can be a huge challenge.

With my DS, we used visual schedules for ages, gradually (very slowly) reducing the information once it became routine. However, you can then end up with a child who gets "stuck" on routine, so we added a "surprise" tab in his schedule. Sometimes it was a good thing, most times it was neutral, but it gradually allowed us to change his routine without him feeling as if he was out of control. With Bee, she is very much a "critter of habit" so trying to shake up her routine a bit is our focus too.

I can't speak to courses, as we are in Canada, where accessing ASD related support can be very challenging. I will, however, suggest that you try to engage in as many as you are offered, as the practical connections you'll make will be far more valuable than the information presented in that brief time.

Not only will you meet other parents (who may well be at different places in this journey), but you'll meet professionals, and they might learn you/your child's name. Recognising a familiar name can help...

As well, there are always those "quiet" or less known supports, whether they are emotional/personal or practical/financial. Trading equipment and ideas, finding alternative funding... these groups are amazing for it. A group of parents that formed around a coffee circle worked together to fundraise, purchase and install a full sensory den, because we all saw it as a need, but none of us could do it alone. Everyone knows about Family Fund, but someone in the group might have been able to access specific funding from a smaller source and direct you there - those connections are often the things that keep you going.

All the best to you - your DS is in fantastic hands.

Thank you both for your comments. You are both right, I feel the courses is not just about information but as a way to get to know parents in the same situation.
BeeMom thank you for recognising that passivity can be a challenge too. Amongst other things DS has no sense of urgency and that really worries me.

Last week I asked for a year off at work (I work part-time) as ,without sounding dramatic, I feel the need to focus on Ds and put all the strategies in place that could help him. I have just been told it has been granted so I'm definitely going to attend the AAA courses and workshops. I'm not in London but I can travel there easily.

And thanks for saying DS is in fantastic hands, you've really made my day!!!

Nothing to add, just your DS sounds very similar to my 7 year old, passive, sweet natured and horribly disorganised/living in his own little world, chewing everything in sight

devilinside do you mind me asking how well your DS is doing at school? DS is not motivated at all.

Not very well, he is barely writing and falling behind in reading. He is supposedly good at maths, but not sure how long that will last as he struggles to write the answers down. We have been told there is no chance of a statement as he is 'progressing' academically. However, I believe it's because he's quiet, passive and doesn't cause any problems in the class room, I suspect if he had major meltdowns, we would have a statement

How about your DS?

Devilinside he's very similar to your DS! He's bordeline in reading (bottom 2%) and 10th centile in writing. He's alright at maths but he needs someone constantly bringing him back to task.
As far as getting a statement is concern we were told at the end of June that was unlikely as he had made some progress but we are waiting for Autism Outreach lady to come to see him in October (Y2) and see how it goes. He's very gentle and quiet at school and as you said about your DS he doesn't cause any problems in the classroom.
Saying that we have been using Headsprout reading program for the last 8 weeks and he has made some real progress.

What is the Headsprout reading program? sounds interesting

It's an online reading program. I found out about it thought MNSN forums and DS liked it from day one but then he loves computers. He's still on lesson 26/80 but he have seen a huge difference. It might be worth asking the other MNSNers about it, or you can do a search.

www.headsprout.com/catalog/index.cfm?event=HER_DetailPage

It's half price at the moment.

Ambitious about Autism is a fantastic organisation. It's one of the few that tackles the issues for HFA kids/teens in terms of training as a starter for ten. In addition to the huge value I got from the courses during the four year wait for a diagnosis, I'd never have got through the awful events of this year without the personal advice of one of the trustees, given for free, from his own time. Without that help I dread to think what state my lad would be in now.

My only gripe is that they aren't yet able to offer their course offerings on a national scale. I will however be making the 6 hour journey this autumn for the next one on my list. The info you get on their courses, unlike many LA courses is bang up to date too.

The message you'll receive is that your child CAN make progress, but it'll take relentlessly hard work. It's all about a methodical slog from your pov, from the child's I've seen how it can make the world accessible to them for the first time.

Personally I found this so much more comforting than the constant "accept his limitations" that I got from LA staff. (We all worry about what will happen to our adult children once we are gone). They were not lying about the work involved, but my lad is now able to make & keep friends with mainstream kids, (nice kids too!) and it's stunning to see just how far he's progressed. Sitting in a corner, rocking and making animal noises was concerning at 5, at 25 it would have meant a life totally dependent on others for every need. I'm not saying his future will now be wonderful, but if he can reach his full potential it'll be better than the one originally suggested to me.

I couldn't have afforded to provide a full on ABA programme for my lad in a million years of dreaming, so the info I got from these courses has been the next best thing. Also worth looking into is the £2k ABA funding which will fund an hour a week of ABA advice for an academic year from the Caudwell children's charity if you are on a low enough income. Again it won't replace a full time programme, but if you have a TA willing to learn and you are willing to put in the graft, it could bridge the gap. An hour a week from an expert who knows their stuff is a gift you can do a helluva lot with.

bochead I'm sorry to hear your DS has been through some awful events this year.
Thank you so much for the information and advice, you just said what I was hoping to hear. I'll be going down to London for all the relevant courses and workshops. I might see you there!