Working mums with children with ASD/special needs, What do you do?

[L1991]

Hi,

I am just wondering what other do for work?

I currently work as a Health care assistant on the staff bank so can pick and choose my own shifts which is great and there are always plenty of shifts but i have been studying human biology with the open university and re sitting my science GCSE and have a place at university to study occupational therapy.

Im unsure what to do at the moment as DS behaviour is draining, currently going through a diagnosis process for ASD, has sensory processing disorder and possibly ADHD. i feel like i am not coping with it all at the moment and not sure if i can hack 3 years at university and then even when qualified maintain a career?

I guess im wondering if anyone has done it and succeeded in being there for your children ( i also have a daughter) and maintain a professional career. I worked on a maternity unit until the week before easter holidays as a support worker and done that for two years and managed but had none of the stress.

I feel i am being selfish, plus not coping, i have exams coming up and feel i will fail because i cant concentrate and DS will always come first. I dont know if im having a moment or i should throw in the towel and work flexibly as a HCA on the nurse bank.

Help :(

I was a nurse. Career spanned 26 years. Had to give up when DS was 6 due to ridiculous juggling of hours/shifts and, if I'm honest, I was a sister and didn't need any more stress to add to the fact that DH left a month after DS was diagnosed, aged 4. I managed as a single parent for 2 years and then thought.... "This is impossible".

I am now remarried. My "new" DH works away a lot. DS is 15. He has only just returned to school full time after regular periods of doing a reduced school day. I am lucky. I don't "need" to work (we manage to pay the mortgage and live) but I'm aware that if I were earning a salary, our lives would be very very different and more comfortable.