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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

I am just starting the ASD process ....

9 replies

Bricks · 17/08/2007 14:57

I have a very strong suspicion that my son 23 months has ASD. We have taken the first steps and have got a referral from my GP to see a neuro specialist for the first assessment. I was particularly aware of the behavioural traits as I have an older brother who is mentally handicapped and has ASD. Although in my mums day (he's 44) he was classifed as retarded and provided with no support. At the moment we are OK but could do with the the support of other parents in the same boat - how can you find any to meet up with and have a drink and talk about your wonderful quirky kids.

I live in Bristol

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coppertop · 17/08/2007 15:07

Welcome to the SN board, Bricks.

I don't live anywhere near Bristol (although I visited it a couple of weeks ago) but have two boys with ASD and an NT dd. Ds1 is 7, ds2 is 4 and dd is 17mths.

Davros · 17/08/2007 15:55

Check for an NAS branch. I think you can look via their main website www.nas.org.uk and then link to branches

tobysmumkent · 17/08/2007 16:24

Message withdrawn

Bricks · 17/08/2007 17:06

Thanks - for this I have contacted my local NAS branch just waiting for someone to come back. It just feeling in that lost stage and wanting someone to chat to.

On the postive side I am orginally from Gloucester and my partner from Cornwall but we met and were living in the South East for the last 10-20 years.

We moved to Bristol in January as a halfway house so family could spend more time with him.

My mum is only 45 mins away although I have to say when I spoke to her on the phone about it this week - it nearly broke her heart. Next weekend - bank holiday my partners mum is coming to stay and we will talk to her about it too - this will be very difficult as he is her only grandchild - and she was the only one of her friends not to have a grandchild till he was born.

My other issue is that I work fulltime, but we have both talked about how we could manage. I am going to be speaking to the boss next week.

This may sound weird but my biggest fear was having a child with a disability, as I had watched my mum struggle so hard with my brother and she was brilliant. I worried that I wouldn't be able to cope as well as she did. I fell pregnant at 37 and had all the tests for Downs etc not knowing that ASD was a higher risk anyway.

I actually feel OK about it at the moment, it's my partner who is struggling, I think he is trying to adjust his future expectations from what he thought they might be, and the problem with that is this is not something that can be easily quantified.

I feel strangely postive and just trying to read as much information as I can about the treatments as I am very aware of being fobbed off by medical professionals. My mother fought very hard for my brother and I would be proud to do the same for my son.

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Davros · 17/08/2007 22:15

If you get a formal dx you will then be classified as a "carer", sorry that sounds horrid but it could help. You are then legally entitled to ask for, and expect, flexible working arrangements. Check out Carers UK, maybe not just yet though!
I think an NAS branch could be just what you need, hope you get an answer soon. They usually rely on one or two people to run the branches so they may be on hol.

sphil · 18/08/2007 22:56

Hi Bricks. I live in Street, Somerset, so not that far away! Have a four year son with ASD and a 5 year old who is officially NT but has some quirky traits. We've only just moved here too, so don't know much about the area but I'm sure there's lots going on in Bristol. Or if you fancy a trip to Street (good shops!) you'd be very welcome. I come from the SE too - London originally, then Brighton and Lewes.

Bricks · 15/10/2007 15:30

Sorry it's been a while since I wrote a reponse but I have followed all of the advice that you have given and it's been great:

I have been contacted by my NAS co-ordinator and she has given me details of local support groups.

My current contract at work runs out on 9th November (I am freelance - so I have deceided to either request part-time terms or not extend).

We have applied for Disability Living Allowance

I found a local mum on netmums - who has a child 1 year older than my son and she found a charity based play centre for children with special needs www.hopskipandjump.org.uk/

We have got the referral - we were lucky to be assessed by the professor of the clinic.. he has referred my son for music and speech theraphy. he has also referred him for CAP to start in january.

We have also been taking my son to a cranial osteopath, which has helped enormously - he is much more relaxed. He has had 1 session a week for 4 weeks and now only goes every 2 weeks.

Thank you soo much.

Finally, I don't know where street is but would love to meet up. I have a car and pretty good navigation skills.

Lol C

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PeachyFleshCrawlingWithBugs · 15/10/2007 15:41

Hiya, we're not that far from bristol actually, Dh works at cribbs, we have a child with HFA and one who is thought to be (we're not convinced) also ASD, one average child (LOL) and one on the way.
We're actually from Somerset (have you looked at BIBIC.org.uk? Easy drive for you) but I am at newport Uni atm.

Sphil we must meet up now you're down there- we're MArshalling Glastonbury carnival but typically that starts at mid day, let us know when you can get together though

Bricks and Sphil- my [email protected].

Bricks · 19/11/2007 20:48

Peachy.

I am now part time - yippee - so would love to meet up - shall I email you?

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