Does anyone know of any support groups for parents of children with ASD?

[siblingrivalry]

...please?
We are currently going through a dx for dd1, with CAMHS repeating only last Wednesday that she is likely to have ASD.
I don't have anyone in RL to talk to - unless I want to be preached at .
It's got to the stage where I am feeling quite down about it all,mostly cos I don't know if my feelings are a normal part of dealing with the dx.

Is anyone aware of any kind of group where parents can meet up or talk over the telephone? I live in Durham. TIA.

I would also like to add that the support I have had from MN has been amazing. I just feel as though it's too much to ask you all to keep putting my mind at rest.ATM, I could start a new thread every day

Hi Streaky, thanks for that. It might be the same group Turtletuck mentioned. They have a meeting at the beginning of October, so I am going to give them a ring and see if it's ok to go along (without a dx ATM).

Do you go along to any groups/activities? I am keen to meet people who 'understand' IYKWIM? Would be nice to have a chat.

Hi Siblingrivalry. My Barnardo's group accepted me without a dx for J, and I would think it's a very unsupportive Support Group that wouldn't - that's often when we most need to offload. I did most of my NAS training courses/seminars pre-dx as well, which could be a useful route for you to meet other parents in the same situation.

Have you thought of Toby Henderson Trust in Morpeth? You have to pay quite a bit per session and it's a long drive from Durham, but they are very good and have clubs for children with ASDs and support for parents too.

I'd love to meet up or chat but am snowed under atm. Having problems with my mam's care package (I'm her main carer) and social services are ignoring me, J was excluded from school (1 day fixed term) for aggressive behaviour and I'm wading through that, have a statement to apply for etc etc... so have little time to come up for air just now. Email me at [email protected] and maybe we could talk in a few weeks?

Sorry that's [email protected]. Dopey mare, don't know my own email address...

Thanks very much, will do. Hope you get things sorted with your mam and J. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate -take care x