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SN children

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

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Original poster

the autism spectrum

18 replies

gogsi · 12/01/2009 19:13

God that sounds like some public school boys progressive jazz band. Anyway, a bit sad really as went for appointment today for my son to be assessed for speech therapy and have come away with a referral for another appointment to check if he is on the autism spectrum. Nice. Monday in January in the rain on what the radio says is the most depressing day of the year. The only way is up from here. Anyone out there have similar scenario?

OP posts:

missionimpossible · 12/01/2009 19:18

couldn't have happened on a nicer day . I'm sorry.

My scenario is ADHD, but I couldn't re-call what the weather was like as I was in shock for a week. and still am, I think.

How old is he? Why have they referred him, what were their concerns?

bubblagirl · 12/01/2009 19:19

hi gogsi sorry to hear that my ds was referred from going about his speech and was dx 7 mths ago but it doesnt mean your ds will be dx but hey are probably just covering all angles you have to meet so many criterias in each box to be dx

how old is your ds? is he displaying any other things other than speech problems? my ds wouldn't hold eye contact when spoken to and had other factors too such as obsessed with numbers and letters speech sounds were atypical but in general a funny calm mannered boy

big hugs and dont worry yourself xx

twocutedarlings · 12/01/2009 19:34

so sorry you are going through all this i too remember how the words ASD hit me like a brick wall!!!

But let me assure you even if your lad does have an ASD it certainly not all doom and gloom differant yes granted!!! but it not all as negative as its seems...............honestly!! .

Although at the moment it wont feel this way - but it is a good thing that the SALT has decided to to refer him, the sooner things are identified the better in cases of ASD, of corse your lad my not have ASD at all!! but the sooner its rules out the better.

Be kind to yourself and try not to worry to much xx

bubblagirl · 12/01/2009 19:44

oh yes also to add my ds now 3.7 puts his words together in normal length sentences holds better eye contact is calm loving little boy and is very bright nothing like i was imagining at all

its just better to get it checked while still young as so much can be done for them if they are dx my ds came on leaps and bounds and is so much more advance than i thought he would be i worried endlessly about what might be and really its the unknown so best to think about day by day it hasnt changed who my son is but has allowed him to get all the help he needs to progress and now not many people even know he has ASD

so dont worry yourself as you may not get a dx but if you do his still your little boy and will not change that but you will also have alot of support and help needed

all your feeling is normal but that does go its the unknown that is worrying either way its good they are dealing with it but remember it may not be the case

lingle · 12/01/2009 19:54

The same thing happened to me in November gogsi.

I want to know what this "spectrum" actually IS. Where is there a picture of it? Or a chart. Or a scale. What colours are on it? Is it like a rainbow?

Original poster

gogsi · 12/01/2009 20:19

Thanks girls,.. I do know whatever the outcome its cool as my beautiful boy is the most intriguing, comical, original being I know. How can that be a bad thing?

OP posts:

amber32002 · 12/01/2009 20:24

It's not always or even mostly a bad thing. Mostly it's just different. Heck of a shock when parents find out they have a child with a disability of some kind though - I remember the same feeling with our own son, and indeed when I had my formal DX.

But we're not all a problem, honest...

Amber (ASD!)

Pwsimerimew · 12/01/2009 20:27

Sometimes its hard to remember that. I'll take that on board tomorrow when I see the head about ds behaviour at school. He's my son, he's gorgeous, funny, lovable and adorable. Thanks for that.

jute · 12/01/2009 20:58

How old is he?

My son is 9 now, severely autistic, and I remember the feelings well (although I suspected autism long before the pros- still a shock and a big one).

Here's a youtube video thing I made about severe autism recently.

I was actually pondering today that his autism is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with, but also the most rewarding. Hope you don't have to wait too long. I think the referrals etc are the hardest part of the whole thing.

Pwsimerimew · 12/01/2009 21:16

Loved the video. your boy is gorgeous.

notfromaroundhere · 12/01/2009 22:09

Hi, sorry to hear you've had a rough day. I found the run up to DS1's assessment for ASD like some very strange, very unfunny pantomine - no he isn't/yes he is.

I hope you don't have to wait too long for the appointment.

HelensMelons · 12/01/2009 22:27

Hi Gogsi

First time I heard the word autism from a professional was when we went to meet staff just before DS2 started nursery (ICAN) and I remember my stomach contracting and not being able to look the SALT in the eye. I suppose I suspected autism but how and ever we now have a dx and, although, it was a shock as Jute says it has also been rewarding.

I also hope that you don't have to wait too long.

Loved the video Jute, you have beautiful children.

Tclanger · 12/01/2009 22:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

gogsi · 13/01/2009 09:40

Great video jute. Spoke to my sons teacher this morning to let her know about the referral, through the course of the conversation she mentioned that depending on diagnosis that we would have to look in to whether the school he's at is the best place for him and that at that time the headmaster would make the decision if he should stay. Is that dickensian or what? His brother attends the school they are both happy there the class sizes are small. It's a private school so i suppose they can do what they like but I wish she hadn't mentioned that as theres now another aspect to tie myself in nots over. IF he's on the spectrum I wouldn't want to change his surroundings he's just getting used to it having started reception in september. The salt is going to find out what help we can get in the private sector. We're not loaded the boys grandparents put money aside for their education,we thought we were doing the right thing for our kids yet we find he would probably be better catered for in the state system.

OP posts:

lingle · 13/01/2009 09:56

Decidedly Dickensian. Yuck.

Tclanger · 13/01/2009 10:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jute · 13/01/2009 12:13

Oh dear DS2 and DS3's private school is very good with kids on the spectrum (and other disabilities). They couldn't cope with the ds1's of this world, but he needs specialist provision, but for less complex needs they're great.

TotalChaos · 13/01/2009 12:18

how awful that your boys' school has such a bad attitude towards ASD. and shortsighted - he's the same child with the same needs - DX isn't going to change a great deal from the school POV surely? Or am I naive.

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