Lack of support

[Hannah2705]

Hello,
I've just registered so I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post, my DD2 age 3.10 has been recently diagnosed with ASD which wasn't really a shock as it was obvious at this point! however what did shock me is that after the diagnosis that's it!! no support of any sort! not even SALT and she used to have it before the diagnosis but now that she's proven autistic they don't have the funds to offer her that!! I am absolutely and utterly disappointed! I spent a long time debating if i should let strangers put a label on my baby but in the end I felt that I was being selfish and if putting a label on her will get her the support that she needs then so be it! but here we are with a label and on our own just like we were -if not even worse!-
I really am lost right now, not really sure what to do to help my baby girl, we've applied for an EHCP as she's due to start reception this september but we are still waiting for the LA to approve and that's all i can think of right now, I would really appreciate any advice/suggestions from you ladies, we live in the north east if that helps.Thank you

Hi - we got diagnosis is December for my DS. Only thing we have been offered is a parental course through the local autism outreach team which starts in June! Also doesn't qualify for nhs salt (I'm also north east!).

Only suggestion I can make is do lots of research so you can help your child yourself - we are doing an aba programme (expensive so depends on individual circumstances) but I found Laura Mize (website provides free podcasts) really helpful and we also read Hanen more than words which was a good starting point.

As HateTheUnknown says you need to find out for yourself what your child needs so you can push for it and/or appeal to get this in the plan. The LA will very probably issue an EHCP with zero provision. We also started ABA and then went to Tribunal to get it in the EHCP, which we won. You have to become the expert on your child's needs so you are in a position to fight for what she needs. It seems scary at first, but taking control is very empowering.

HateTheUnknown and amunt thank you both very much for your replies and my apologies for my late response as I had a difficult couple of days.

I have been working with my dd to overcome her struggles since she was about 2 which was the time I have come to terms with her Autism, she also goes to a great nursery since about the same age and she gets 1-to-1 10 hrs/week which had helped, also I have read lots of books Hanen more than words was one of them but i was really hoping to get any kind of support from professionals even if it is just guidance to help me give her support! well I guess my best shot is through the EHCP and to try and get as much I can from the LA.

About the ABA, I'm quite curious about your experiences with the therapy? I've met parents who didn't feel like it was right for their children so I was a bit reluctant to try it.

Hi Hannah

I've found there's very little professional support which is free!

We have been working with a great early intervention company who apply the principles of aba. not sure of your circumstances but I can pass on their details if your interested - they are based in the north east. (Just pm me and I'll send some info).

I have found aba really works for my son. The aba we do is very play based and relaxed. We try very hard to make it fun and enjoyable. Most importantly my DS has made progress and is doing things he couldn't do before.

It's a shock isn't it when you get the diagnosis then your pretty much left to it.

HateTheUnknown thank you very much that does sound very promising, do you think there's a chance I can try it for a session or two just in case I didn't feel like it's right for my dd?

Allthewaves yes it was quite a shock especially since it does seem like if your child have a speech delay he/she will get more support than an autistic child!!

This thread might be worth looking at regarding ABA:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/2883313-How-do-people-afford-ABA-therapy