am so useless

[mumof8kids]

sorry but am+
just so lost. Feel so guilty about ds (asd?) All the others so excited by christmas yet he doesnt seem to notice it at all. Spent most of christmas hols passing humming ext not really interacting which is the nora

mal and doesnt speak much at all , hes 4.5yrs. Have the start of the diagnosis process 7 jan discussing his development ext. Justfeel like i should be doing so much for him just what? try to engage him but nothing dont want to neglect him and so dreading him starting mainstream scholl on monday. Things seem to be getting worse as he gets older , guess I just notice the development delay more now especially as his 2.5yr old brother is way ahead of him in communication social skills ect.

I want to help him, want to understand what he is feeling and what is going on inside his world but how do I get there. Please help feel such a failure to him

Mumof8kids

If you are bringing up 8 kids then you are most certainly not useless.

Having a kid with SN is so different from bringing up "normal" kids so it's no surprise you're all at sea.

If you haven't already then do make sure that the school know of your concerns. That way they will help him ease in.

In a way him starting school will help because they will be able to contribute to accessment process and suggest what help/intervention he needs.

If you keep on the case for getting asessment and help/advice you will be doing the best you can for your ds so don't beat yourself up.

hope school goes well on Monday - keep us posted.

mumof Your ds has a distinct advantage from many others with asd. He has 7 siblings to practice his social skills on in a safe environment. I don't know the details of your set-up but I expect he is getting a lot more experience and being 'forced' to socialise a bit. Just because he 'seems' to have not understood or appreciated Christmas doesn't mean he got nothing from it.

I don't know how old your other children are, but could some of them each spend 1:1 time with him once a week, showing him how to play or how to answer questions etc.?