Greeny's ds1 gets his dx

[everGreensleeves]

Didn't take as long as I thought it was going to!

He's been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome

Does anyone know what we can expect the process from here to be like? He's been referred to physio/OT, and will be reviewed in 6 months by the consultsnt paed (what sort of review is this? Can they change their minds about the DX?)

also the letter says something about the Early Bird scheme providing courses/training for parents about AS, has anyone got experience of this?

just checking as it doesn't appear to be showing in active convos...

I can only be of limited used to you as DS didn't get an ASD DX, just a "language delay and probably not ASD DX" and so haven't been on the Earlybird course. But no they don't change their minds about the DX - you should get something in writing to confirm. The review will be more of a progress review of the nature of so how's things going now with Greenshoots, any concerns etc, and then going on to talk about specific ways of dealing with any concerns.

And I have been on similar courses for language delay - very broadly the courses will be working to help you help your child with behaviour/social skills etc, and as a side benefit it will be useful to you to meet parents with kids with similar issues. and I imagine it will be a couple of hours per week for x number of weeks.

can only echo what TC has said.

the review is to see how your ds has progressed, sort of like the HV checks on babies - checking ofr areas of progress/areas where there might be a need for more intervention.

the Earlybird course is a course structured by the NAS - think there is some info on their site.

I went on it, and it was ok. It depends on how much research/reading of your own you have done. It is very useful to meet other parents in a similar position, though - cannot highlight how relaxing it is to be able to talk to everyone present in a room and know you won't be judged for whatever behaviour you are discussing. Very liberating.

Our reviews have always been similar to the ones described here. The Paed asks how things have been going and then gives advice on dealing with issues and makes referrals where necessary.

Early Birds has a good reputation. IIRC the EarlyBird course is for parents of pre-schoolers with a recent dx. The next age-group have something similar called Help. I haven't done them (lack of childcare) but have heard good things about them.

Thanks for clarifying about the reviews and the earlybird course, it all sounds manageable enough.

Does anyone have experience of asnswering a child's own questions about the appointments etc? DS1 has asked why we saw the paediatricians and I know he will want to know why he's seeing physio/OT as well. So far I've given him a sort of diluted truth about him having a rather special mind which makes some things very easy for him and some things a bit harder than usual - but he's the sort of child who will want something concrete he can look up and pore over.

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I did Earlybird+, aimed at 4-8 year olds rather than preschoolers. Definitely worth it. I didn't necessarily learn anything new, but I gained the confidence to know that we were on the right tracks. I second the comment that it is liberating to be in a room of people going through the same experience. The big plus is that you can take someone from school on the course - eg. a TA or class teacher.

How old is DS? There are books to help explain his diagnosis - they will be on the NAS recommended reading lists. My DS is too young yet (only 5) so I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

Wow, thanks WMF (great name!) I'll have a look on the NAS website for helpful books.