When did you stop feeling like a passenger...

[Allforall]

... On the Rollercoaster of parenting a child with additional needs? I feel like I should be better now, more in control of everything, but I still feel like I'm just a passenger riding the crazy Rollercoaster that is parenting a child with asd and subsequent behaviors that challenge.

I feel we finally get a handle on something and then 3 other things pop up. I can't really out into words exactly how I feel, but hopeless will cover it 😔

Should add : ds is 4, diagnosed with asd at 2. Can be quite able with communicating, but struggles massively with sensory issues and anxiety...

Anyone?

Ds is 14 and is only on the asd diagnosis pathway now. I have always suspected but he seemed to just about cope so we didn't pursue a diagnosis. We made a mistake and secondary school has been awful. Ds is struggling more now than he ever has and I feel guilty.

I can understand your thoughts. I'm not sure how to help ds and feel a little lost. He is on a long waiting list for a speech and language assessment, so it will be some time yet before he gets a diagnosis. School aren't great so that in turn is having a negative impact on his mental health, he starts year 11 in September so he has Gcse's on the horizon too

I'm sure you are doing a far better job than you give yourself credit for and things may improve as he matures. Although I think it's normal to feel like you do when your child has additional needs.

Thank you, pun. 0leased to hesr your son is on the pathway now to grt some support. Hope everything works out for you guys

I don't really have much to add as DD is also only 4, but I would say already I think some of her sensory issues are softening a bit (she used to not be able to tolerate hand dryers at all, for example - now she will occasionally even use one). I guess we've also got better at anticipating and avoiding things we know will be difficult/overwhelming.

So he will change and develop and we are learning all the time... is your DS in school yet, or not until September? If you get a supportive school I think that can help a lot (especially if you are home with him all the time at the moment - I never did that but that must be intense).