I'm not able to accept the diagnosis

[jogalong]

Ds has just been diagnosed with asd and I'm having huge trouble accepting it. Before we had the assessment I was convinced he had autism. Now since we got the diagnosis I'm convinced he doesn't have it. I feel Iv really let him down by answering questions and giving the information to bring about the diagnosis. I'd love to fill out all the forms again because I'm wondering now was I too hard no him.
I know there is some developmental problem with him but maybe it's just something he'll grow out of. But now he's labelled for life
I know I probably sound like I'm cracked. And I probably am. Anyone else feel it very hard to accept the diagnosis. Or how long does it take to accept it?

[Kleinzeit]

My DS is very high functioning and even though he was diagnosed years ago sometimes I still swing between thinking “we’re making a huge fuss over nothing” and “how could I ever have thought he was normal?” A lot of the time he copes with life brilliantly but every now and again we get a huge reminder that he does have some disabilities that other kids don’t, and sometimes that still grieves me badly. But then again there are things he does very well that many other kids don’t, and then he surprise me by doing things you might not expect from a kid with an ASC. So he is still “himself” if you know what I mean, with or without an ASC.

[jogalong]

We got the report today. Autism with a mild intellectual disability. It's funny because I don't feel any different. My emotions are dead. I feel nothing. Will it all hit Odin a few days?

[Kleinzeit]

Maybe... There's such a range of emotions in this, including no feeling at all, but it can be a rollercoaster. Take it a day at a time, and be kind to yourself.

[Irishclaire]

Do you have a health visitor you could ask about support groups? Our local children's centre offer parents a one day session on coping with diagnosis

[nostoppingme]

((((Jog along)))); try not to be so hard on yourself. You didn't diagnose your son, the experts did. And I know from our process, many people were involved to get to a diagnosis. Your child isn't labeled for life, unless you introduce him to people as 'this is my son and he has x,y,z' ... nobody needs to know. Not even family as from my experience, family/extended family can say hurtful things without meaning to. Only school needs to know so that they can give him the accommodations he needs to succeed at school.

A year on from my son's diagnosis and he gets quirkier by the day. Not less.

Take care.

[nostoppingme]

Sorry, I just saw your post that you received the report. Your feelings will come in time. Does the report give advice whom to contact for support? Autism helplines; support groups; social skills group for your child etc etc?

Please look after yourself too x