This is my last thread
Last Thread
Just putting it there because I know it's been helpful as a lurker to read people's stories.
It's been a rough year but he was diagnosed with autism just before his 3rd birthday, in fact the diagnosis letter is dated on his birthday, happy birthday kid! In the end I just felt relieved we could move forward as it had been his 2 year check when it was obvious more was going on that perhaps hearing problems.
So, I have questions. Basically his diagnosis says "Autism", nothing else. It was the community paediatrician who diagnosed him but he did have a regression (lost speech & some skills) and his hearing & genetics were fine & SALT report was consistent with autism. I guess maybe I was hoping for something more in depth, for more of a clue, but I guess it can be variable.
And it's no surprise I've signed up again today because he has a taster session at nursery/preschool which I'm dreading. Firstly because I've mostly avoided typical children because it hurt a lot to see typical development. Secondly because everything can be so difficult at times. Even when he complies with things! Like in an exchange to tell him to sit down he could easily yell NO SIT DOWN and then sit down! And he likes to gather multiples of things together and he likes to drop things over his shoulders. But he also loves a lot of typical nursery stuff & we've been working on skills with Portage. And they have Autism Outreach there, I think from the special school. And their Ofsted is good about special needs.
He will have a home visit as well, but should I also prepare a document. I probably should shouldn't I, so things aren't missed. I just worry a lot. Like he can get angry about something and do a rage yell & if left alone it will literally last a minute or less, but if you try to touch or interact with him it will prolong it and possibly cause him to lash out.
Also, even with professionals so far it seems difficult for them to understand he's very intelligent even though he doesn't come across that way especially as he won't perform on demand!
Then there's DLA, should I just try for it? I'm not sure what's typical. He couldn't speak to strangers, but if they made him laugh he would just go off with them. Mostly he refuses to walk because of the uncertainty I think and I couldn't trust him not to run into a road if he was freaked out, which could happen as he has some sensory issues, but they're milder than they used to be. Though if he saw a car he'd probably run right to it. But aren't 3 year olds random anyway?
Sorry, this is an essay. I'm massively stressed about the nursery this afternoon even though it's only an hour! And when he starts it doesn't have to be every day, and I could stay. But then that's it's own problem because if I stay then he will expect that and whenever I don't it will be a very traumatic experience and he will have to find his feet as much as if it was the first day! Sorry, going on again.