My son was diagnosed today(autism). Feeling full of mixed emotions???

[SammyCxxx]

So today was the day my son had his 2nd assessment. He is 7. I knew as his mummy that he was on the spectrum for along time and so did his school. I'm was strong + all set to push for a diagnosis for him and his future but having it confirmed has filled me with lots of emotions. I don't know how I feel if I'm honest. Alittle sad, relieved, worried for him, his future, what it holds. I keep getting tearful but I feel so guilty for feeling alittle sad, because nothing has changed, he is still the same funny, gorgeous, happy little boy he was this morning + yesterday. Feeling emotional xx

SammyCxxx My DS has ASD and I went through mixed emotions also when I found out, but those emotions will pass.

Of course you feel emotional, Sammy - there's no need to feel guilty about it. One day it will feel normal to you that he has this diagnosis, but today it's a shock.

However, it is really good that you have managed to get your DS a diagnosis by seven. That means that you can push to get him the help he needs as soon as possible. My son has just been diagnosed with HFA after EIGHT bloody years of to-ing and fro-ing from CAMHS. We had to go private in the end. He has missed years of education because nobody recognised the specialist help that he needed. So you should pat yourself on the back for getting your son an early diagnosis.

And, as you say, of course he is still the same lovable little boy he's always been.

Incidentally, after receiving the diagnosis, DH and I initially felt very relieved - at last other people recognised what we saw. But in the following weeks, we both withdrew a little from society and needed time to lick our wounds. It was still upsetting to have the diagnosis confirmed, even though we'd suspected it. I think maybe it always is.

((hugs))

The diagnosis won't change anything with my sons education right now because he has been receiving all the extra help he needs already. At the beginning of this year (year 2) He was moved out of his mainstream class and into a smaller class called the BASE, which is a group of 7 children with similar struggles and 2 specialist teachers. He has been progressing there really well. I know how lucky we are considering he didn't have a diagnosis or a statement. I know he will need to access help and support when he goes to secondary school so this diagnosis will help him then xx

As others have said, today it is very hard. Even if you know your child needs a dx it still comes as a shock.

Dd3 was dx'ed after 3.5 yrs of fighting and I felt really strange for a few days. I had been fighting for such a long time and suddenly I didnt need to anymore well not that battle anyway

It is great that he is already getting support at school and he will always be your amazing little boy.

Good luck

A slap across the face doesn't hurt any less just because you were expecting it. In my experience this bit is the worst bit, where you have a void in which you are pouring your worst fears grasping for any clue that it might be alright anyway.

As you fill that void with information, it gets a lot less painful and scary, though I won't pretend there is any magic that can change him to typically developing. However, it is vital that you remember that diagnosis is not the same thing as prognosis.

Big hug - it does just hurt too. Well done on getting diagnosis but I def had big downs just after