Hi everyone! Im Sarah, Im new to this site so can I introduce myself (before I start bugging you all for info and advice!!)
Im mum to Josh (9 next month), Ben 6 and Abby 4.
At present things with Josh are not great. He's always been a 'handful', however since changing schools last September things have gone steeply downhill
There is no doubt in my mind, and we have had this confirmed by the schools educational pshycologist, that Josh has Apergers. We do not yet have a proper dianosis for this.
He has lots of problems at the moment, and is really struggling in school. He is unable to make or keep friends, and in any relationship he has to have his way. If he doesn't get it things can turn nasty! Hes unable to compromise and has a complete lack of empathy. He cannot understand how others are feeling, and cannot grasp how his actions make others feel.
When things don't go his way he can go into meltdown. I recognise this at home and can sometimes avert it. At school he shouts, lashes out, kicks things etc. He is oblivious to anyone, and anything in his way, and has been physical towards teachers who have tried to detain him 'mid-meltdown'. Afterwards (and he calms down very quickly) he has no, or very little recollection of what has happened.
He is very bright (especially in maths, science and computing). He has no imgination AT ALL. I can't remember him ever voluntarily drawing a picture, playing mummys and daddys etc.
He is obsessional with odd things. He collects lightbulbs and learns train timetables!!
He cannot tell the truth. He will blantantly deny doing something wrong - even if I have seen him do it. On the other hand he is VERY honest about peoples faults, and will ask someone 'Why they have a wrinkly face' without giving a second thought to how it may make them feel.
He makes up stories, and will come out with some tale that is obviously not true, 'The school toilets flooded today', 'The police came and arrested the headteacher (I wish!!)', that sort of thing.
Our main problem with school at the moment is his meltdowns. The schools answer is to exclude him everytime it happens. He's been exlcuded 9 times this school year, and is now under threat of a permanet exclusion.
He has been through the school action, action plus and is now on Pastoral support. He has also been on a parttime time table only doing mornings for several months.
The LEA have provided funding for a one to one worker, however the school have not yet found anyone. It has been several months since the funding was given.
He has been seen by the ed pshyc, who told me (only when I directly asked her), that she has no doubt that josh has Aspergers, however she doesn't feel it helpful to label children?!?! Her report covers all of the 'symptoms' but doesn't directly name aspergers/ASD.
I have seen out GP, and we are on the waiting list for a CAHMS appointment. The waiting list is 4 months!!
Josh is on a fixed term exclusion at the moment for throwing a pencil across the class room (it didnt hit anyone!). The exclusion started off for 5 days, however it has now been extended to 7 so that we can meet with the LEA. The head has told me that she doen't want Josh at the school anymore and will be seeking a perment exlusion at this meeting.
Anyhow thats our story so far!! This looks like a great forum, and Im looking forward to chatting with you all.
Any advice, comments suggestions would be greatfully received.
Sarah