Struggling

[thefutureisours]

I'm really struggling with ds (2.5) at the moment. He's just been diagnosed with autism and I'm having difficulty coping. He's biting and grabbing me a lot and having more frequent meltdowns than normal. His sleep is getting worse too, every night he is waking for 2 hours or so at a time. Some night he won't go to sleep either.

I'm working full time and totally exhausted, also suffering from anxiety. Dp hasn't quite accepted I think and won't even tell people he has an issue. Family members are noticing he is different (it's very obvious) and he isn't telling them. I'm tired and frustrated. Please tell me it gets better!

Thank you. That has really made me smile. I'm just feeling really overwhelmed. I'm hoping to got part time at work and to be honest it can't come quick enough. I really feel like I've lost a bit of connection with him since I've gone back to work and it makes me really sad. I don't feel I have the time to help him in the way he needs and nursery can only do so much.

Another one struggling here, DD diagnosed with ASD in January.

Have you looked into or are you getting DLA? DD gets HRC which means I get Carers Allowance and am able to work part time only. With the sleep deprivation I don't think I could work full time. Might be worth looking into if you haven't already.

Hopefully your DS is 'just' going through a difficult phase which will pass and things will get better. Looking at other people's stories I am hopeful that things get better.

I've just sent the dla form off, I found it really mentally difficult to fill out and I think it has made me really realise how badly affected he actually is. won't get CA even if he gets hrc as my earnings will be too high. I can just about afford to go three days but it's going to be a stretch.

I suffer from really bad anxiety too which is really not helping. I get so nervous taking him places in case he has a meltdown or bites and nips other children. He seems to do this with me more than others which makes me feel like I'm a crap mum.

I just want my son to lead a happy, normal life. I'm so worried about him all the time. I know the lack of sleep is making things worse but I can't seem to get out of the cycle of worrying.

Argh, just wrote a long post then pressed wrong button and it all disappeared! Will try again now..

I too suffer from anxiety, currently worse since diagnosis. I think some of it is part of the cycle of processing the actual diagnosis. I do suffer with anxiety on and off anyway but definitely going through a particularly anxious phrase at the moment.

Took me ages to fill in and send DLA from, heart breaking to put things onto paper. The money does help though and I feel that there is at least some recognition that the extra care involved is beyond what most parents have to deal with.

zzz - I also felt that this is what we have and we just have to work with it, before diagnosis that is. Did find it frustating being around NCT group and such where other children met milestones and slept, ate well etc. Felt as if I was doing something wrong as a parent!

zzz - love the bit about heart full of warm air, how sweet!

Hi. For carers allowance - just incase u didn't know you can deduct half private pension contributions and half all childcare for all of your children from wage plus tax and national insurance. Sometimes it worth claiming just to pay it all into a private pension to boost/create retirement fund.