New diagnosis

[podmog]

My 10 year old son has just been diagnosed as having asd. Not enough to have a statement as he is high functioning, intelligent, but has social/emotional needs. His younger brother has anger issues that are spilling into school......just need some general advice really. The ASDOT are coming into school after half term- but feel I have just been left dangling with this diagnosis- any advice?

My 7 year old has newly been diagnosed ASD and we're currently working on an EHCP. He's high functioning but definitely needs support at school with his social/emotional communications. DS is a clever boy too but that's not to say that kids that are able to do the work don't need support. Who told you he doesn't need an ECHP?
Are you getting support at school?
Your paediatrician should be able to link you up to local support groups and reference points. You shouldn't be left dangling, that's no good for you or your son :(

pod just about everyone on these boards will be highly sceptical of 'doesn't need a statement'.

It is what a lot of LAs say in the hope that they can get away with it.

The question is: does he need to me taught mainstream body language and non-verbal communication? eg does he know how to get eye contact right? Does he stand in the right place in a group? Does he take some statements too literally? How is he with volumes and intonation?

Being clever, all of this mainstream-speak can be learned through the conscious channel, like teaching please and thank you until it becomes pretty much automatic.

My relative learned all this stuff in social communication classes, and although it is more effortful for him than for a mainstream kid, he is employed, married, successful. So there is everything to play for.

But if the cost of that intervention is more than the school can afford, then yu need a statement (or EHCP as it is called now).

Good Luck

Yes, who said he doesn't require a statement? Ds didn't get a sm until age 10 but would have definitely benefited from support a lot earlier than that. He is only just getting a decent amount of support but it's taken years to get that. He presents as bright and articulate so schools always thought he was 'choosing' to behave as he did . I know it's difficult but don't take no for an answer as the sooner he can get support the better.