It's all going a bit wrong (and son has Aspergers).

WantToBeSE

happyandcontented wrote: »

Many colleges have specific departments tailored to students like your son. They can provide 1.1 support in class and at breaks so that he can study the course of his choice. Once you get him stablised and ready to try to move forward you could look at what the local colleges offer. Good luck.

Thanks HAC He loves learning, is incredibly intelligent and is loving home schooling. I hope his love of learning continues and acts as motivation to battle his Social Anxiety.

WantToBeSE

littleredhen wrote: »

My dd is officially still at school and I have been to several meetings to get her back there, the latest one before we broke up for summer (in Scotland)
I almost laughed out loud because (dd is very clever but only managed one higher this year) so the learning support teacher came to the meeting and said to my dad, you need to take the summer off (omg she hasn't been at school for months!!) and get yourself healthy and out for walks and eating healthily and then we will help you get back to school in August. I was speechless as I felt like saying "oh is that what we need to do why didn't someone tell me sooner"
Both my kids are adopted so they have an extra layer to deal with.
Life is tough a lot of the time, my ex and I don't speak and he is still paying maintenance, as she is still officially at school I get child benefit and tax credits but I am dreading to think what might happen if that stops.

I can totally understand what you mean, i think this is many peoples reactions to things they dont really understand. Doet and exercise cant cure everything!
That aid, i do try and get my son out into the fresh air as much as possible, but that is often only once a week. But that is better than nothing.

i dont really understand which behaviours are down to his Anxiety, which are down to his Depression and which are down to having Aspergers.

littleredhen

I think they are very closely linked and maybe it's not a good idea to try and separate them into which category they belong in. You are doing great if you can get him out of the house, do you have family support?

WantToBeSE

Thanks LRH.

No, no support at all from anyone. Just me and my 2 boys (my other son is 11).

Tigsteroonie

WantToBeSE wrote: »

I am considering making an application for him for DLA. I didn't think that he would be able to claim it, as i am working? Is that right?

DLA is not means-tested, if you can demonstrate via the form that your son has increased care needs then he'll get the award regardless of your working situation and your income. It also doesn't count towards your income for any benefits (like HB or CTC). Depending on the level of the award, you may get increased CTC and could possibly claim Carers Allowance.

You've been given the best pointer - read Cerebra's PDF guide to claiming DLA for your child. It's the best I've found. Keep a sleep diary for a couple of weeks, and send that in with the DLA form to demonstrate the extent of the disturbed sleep pattern.

Corelli

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks Coreli.

I feel really conflicted about getting DLA for him. I am not sure why.

Well, whatever your conflicts are there is no denying that his extra care needs are costing you a lot. Can you now afford to get him all the things that would benefit him now your business has gone pear shaped? It's your right, and as an ex taxpayer (no longer able to even consider work due to my son's needs) and married to a current tax payer I say GO FOR IT.

People claiming Social Security are vilified in much of the media and I wonder if this has anything to do with your feelings. NO you would not be a welfare scrounger, you are a mother at her wits end dealing with your son's difficulties.

WantToBeSE

Corelli wrote: »

Well, whatever your conflicts are there is no denying that his extra care needs are costing you a lot. Can you now afford to get him all the things that would benefit him now your business has gone pear shaped? It's your right, and as an ex taxpayer (no longer able to even consider work due to my son's needs) and married to a current tax payer I say GO FOR IT.

People claiming Social Security are vilified in much of the media and I wonder if this has anything to do with your feelings. NO you would not be a welfare scrounger, you are a mother at her wits end dealing with your son's difficulties.

Thanks Coreli. I know that i cant afford to get him things that would benefit him now that the business has gone pear shaped.
I hope to be able to still work PT, but even that is a struggle at the moment to be honest.

I'm just so tired Sorry, i know that sounds self-pitying, but it's the truth.

Corelli

Do it SOON, before he is 16. In theory all children with DLA will migrate to a PIP claim when they are 16, but this is taking a while. My son got his DLA award (after he should have had it since he was about 8) when he was 15. He is now 17 and we haven't heard about PIP yet.

WantToBeSE

I will phone up today and get the form sent out to me.

Have to run, need to get to work.

WantToBeSE

Hi All.

I was sent home from work as soon as i got there, as i am not feeling well. Quite relieved to be honest. I only got about 4 hours sleep last night, so am exhausted.

Came downstairs at 5.30am to find that at some point during the night, he had got up (again) and made a sentence out of broken up pretzels He is so funny, and so sweet, but thats just an innocent example of the way in which he wastes food.

He has therapy at 3.30 this afternoon, so i think i might ask his therapist (she is a primary mental health worker- i am not sure if this is the same as a therapist, but she is the one who counsells him) if she can write something that will support my DLA claim. Do they do that?
I also really need to chase up the psychiatrist appointment, as he is disrupting his brother during the sleepless nights, which also doesnt help me with getting any sleep.

No wonder i am exhausted.

Oh, and i phoned up the DWP today and got a DLA form sent out to me.