ASD diagnosis for DD aged 6 - what next?

[PinPon]

I received an ASD diagnosis for DD (aged 6) earlier today. Although the diagnosis wasn't a surprise, I'm not really sure what to do next.

School has just finished for summer (we're in Scotland), so no opportunity to meet with teachers for a while. My initial thought is how best to tell DD and other family members about the diagnosis. I looked for ASD support in our area, but found it a bit depressing.

Do you have any 'must dos' or 'must avoids'? I want to make this journey as easy as possible for all of us. Thanks.

Find your local FB groups and see what's on. Your local authority should have information on courses and activities. Apply for DLA! You've got some quite active autism stuff going on in Scotland, you just need to Google.

Mike Stanton's book 'Learning to live with high functioning autism' is a great introduction and I highly recommend it.

Well done getting her diagnosis and hope it helps

Thanks Polter. It's still all sinking in. I hadn't even thought about DLA or even about checking FB for local stuff to be honest! Still feeling a bit clueless but doing my best to learn fast . I've added the Mike Stanton book to my Amazon basket...

Ok, I've ordered book on Amazon, told some colleagues that I trust at work (as was all weepy this morning) and am planning to apply for DLA. Still need to tell DD, but am waiting for the book to arrive as it might be a useful tool or give me some ideas for introducing it to her.

Have a look at the Peter Vermeulen book I am Special. It has customisable workbooks which you can print off and it looks at differences and individuality inside and out, then moves on to the brain and then neurological differences. We will use this when we tell DS. We only intend to tell him when he is struggling to cope. At the moment he is doing well and we have school on board so there are no problems with his self esteem. I figure that telling him when things are OK might make an excuse not to try - when everyone has things they struggle with. Our son thinks all of our appointments were about his eating (he was 7 at diagnosis) and we refuse to discuss his case history in front of him at appointments. Obviously if your child is more aware and they have been party to the process then you will need to tell her soon, but don't rush. The period after diagnosis is difficult and even when it is a relief it also comes with sadness. Take your time.

Thanks tartanterror. It's great to have another recommendation. DD is very self aware and so I'd rather she understood what ASD / autism meant, rather than make up an inaccurate definition in her head.

You're right that it's been part relief, part sadness getting the diagnosis. Still adjusting to it, but feeling more at peace about it than before.