Well, we now have the diagnosis.......

[waitingforgodot]

DS (3) was formally diagnosed today with autism. No indicator of where on the spectrum. Is this the norm?
Also, it was not nearly as bad as I thought. I was DREADING it. Dont know why as we have known for a while he was def on the spectrum. I think it was the build up etc but I feel absolutely fine today. They also told us we were doing a terrific job and had already implemented a lot of the strategies they advise. So its nice to know we are doing something right. Just thought I would share with you all.

Glad that part of things is over for you! Well done for getting through it and for being such a great support to your little one.

Where do you go from here? Are you being offered help/support?

well done, and i bet it feels like a weight off your shoulders, my ds doesnt have a dx yet but i know what you mean about the build up. x

Glad it wasn't as bad as you feared and great to know you are doing so well!

No help or support offered. Given a lot of information to plough through and I am sure there will be some useful contacts in there. Oh and you lot of course! You are my support network!!

DS (almost 4!) was dx-ed with ASD almost a year ago, and I can relate to what you are saying very well.
The paed did not want to put him anywhere on the spectrum because (she said) they change so much as they grow.
I must say there has been a lot of change over a year.
I think it's excellent that you are already implementing strategies etc., but that should not let them get away with not offering you support. Push for further appointments with SALT and OT and EdPsych if necessary - we got on to a Hanen course which we found very useful.

sc13, he is already at special nursery and gets SALT input there on a weekly basis.

Have had OT assessment done but unfortunately they dont work with ASD kids in our area (currently awaiting response to my letter of complaint re this).

Oh and am on the Hanen programme too! A

Also got all benefits in hand. The people on here are wonderful at keeping me right! Thank you all x

I know what you mean about the build up to the inevitable - but that milestone is over now so you can focus on helping DS's development now. We got no indication of place on spectrum.

waitingforgodot - we had our son diagnosed at the end of January and like you I expected it. I'm glad you feel okay I would recommend not reading too much initially I did and felt like my head would explode. I have bought one book playing learning and laughing with children on the autistic spectrum.

We have a local group here which because of illness I've not got to yet. The autistic advisory service have a playgroup we went to the other day and everyone was lovely.

I suppose at this age they can't predict where on the sprectrum they are.

Is your DS at preschool, have they refered you to early intervention team?

We already attended speech therapy.

Good luck

See you around these boards.

xx

Thanks Cyber.
I think it must be worse if you go in with an "is he, isn't he" attitude.
We knew he was and accepted that months ago.
Only went down the diagnosis route as we may need it for school placement.

Thanks for that!
Flying Duchess-what do you mean re intervention?
Oh and thanks for the link-already a client of hers. She is great.

It does make sense.
I totally agree to some extent however there must be parents out there who find it hard to intervene where stimming is concerned. I found a huge change in stimming behaviour after moving DS onto GF diet.
Paediatrician today questioned me on that and wondered if I was depriving him of essential nutrients.
Feck off.
I took great delight in telling her I had spoken to a dietician who felt he had a very healthy diet. Honestly. Some people. Wheres that thread about the daft things professionals say? Should add that on.

Dont understand the need to fob us off at the early intervention stage. Its only going to cost them more in the long run....

Why dont they recognise this. The costs will snowball