ASD Diagnosis

jim-jim

Hi, I'm not sure if this is in the right place, but it was the only one that mentioned disability.

My 4yo DS is in the process of being diagnosed with Autism, he has seen the child psychologist twice and she will be returning this week with a run down of her report, she has told me that he is autistic. She will add this report to the ones from school, speech & hearing. All this will then be sent to the consultant.

What I wanted to know was, what does this mean for my DS?
I understand that we will know officially, that he is not spoilt, let him get away with everything, naughty, that we do everything for him ect.
( some of the comments we have had about him)

So what does it mean?
Anyone else been in the same situation.

Many thanks x

rogerblack

Autism varies rather dramatically, from those who will be very successful in life, to those who will never be able to live independently.
At one end, there may (rightly) be little help available.
Purely being diagnosed means little.

If he has substantial needs in excess of what may be required of a normal child his age, in principle he may be able to claim DLA.

jak

My son was diagnosed over the summer with an autistic spectrum disorder. It is a spectrum and he is on the milder end. What it means for my son is that routines are rigid, he is obsessional about things eg. Rocks, science and beast quest. Basically the more rigid our lives are the better he copes. Some of the brightest people in the world has asd! It can be challenging but also very interesting. My son is exceptionally bright. He's just turned 7. It might be an idea to look for asd support groups in your area. Also you can do a course called early birds which is a'll about coping strategies for asd. Have you put in a claim for disability living allowance? My son has major care needs day and night therefore he gets higher rate care and lower mobility. Also he has melatonin to help him sleep! Which is brilliant as its a food supplement rather than a drug. You can order it from the state's as do t sell it here. If you ask the paed they will tell you about it. I hope that helps a bit. I know how upset I felt when my ds got his diagnosis xx

jim-jim

Hi thanks for the reply, he does need adult prompting/supervision at all times. But I didn't know you could get money for looking after him.

Do they offer help with guidance or how to help him or is it just a label?

Jim-jim x

jak

Help and guidance should come in the form of courses you can do to understand a bit more. I've done the incredible years for challenging behavior which was really helpful but very long! You could ask you health visitor or gp to refer you. Dla I applied for before my ds got his diagnosis, it helps pay for things like taxis when he has a meltdown and we can't use the bus, his clothes, etc. As very fussy! Have a look at cerebra, they have a really good gguide on there. Xx

rogerblack

jim-jim wrote: »

Hi thanks for the reply, he does need adult prompting/supervision at all times. But I didn't know you could get money for looking after him.

Do they offer help with guidance or how to help him or is it just a label?

Jim-jim x

Disability living allowance in principle might be payable.
This is up to around 130/week.
If someone in the household is not working, they could in addition claim carers allowance on his behalf if they are taking care of him for 35 hours a week, if the DLA claim is succesful.
This would add another 65/week or so.
Call today and ask for a DLA form, it will not be backdated.

GlasweJen

Please don't buy drugs online unless from a registered (verifiable) pharmacy!

cattermole

You might find more useful advice from

http://www.autism.org.uk/

Who can maybe put you in touch with a local group in your area.

http://www.autism.org.uk/our-services/find-nas-services-in-your-area.aspx

Sharing experiences with other parents of children with similar diagnosis can be a massive help and support and often there will be local groups which may be quite informal of parents offering mutual support.

Dippypud

jim-jim wrote: »

Hi thanks for the reply, he does need adult prompting/supervision at all times. But I didn't know you could get money for looking after him.

Do they offer help with guidance or how to help him or is it just a label?

Jim-jim x

Get in contact with an organisation called 'Contact-a-Family', they are brilliant and offer local support from parents in the same boat as you, but a little further down the line, so they know how you feel and how lost you can seem ...


http://www.cafamily.org.uk/

Towser

In this situation but further down the line. We have ds9 who is ASD.

The "behaviors" can be managed. Book yourself on the local parenting courses through the council they will teach you strategies to cope. It was invaluable to us. You will understand him better and avoid situations.

I can honestly say my son is the nicest person I know. Just when he needs something he really needs it. Not want but need. Eg going to see a bridge, McDonalds chicken nuggets, riding on a bus. ect Get past all this he seems normal; that's why they call it a hidden disability.

It depends how severe, on what part of the spectrum he is on as to what a life he will have. At the moment I am expecting my son to have a full life with lots of help. Only 15% of Autistic people earn a living.

Make sure you complete the DLA forms with help from the MOney Advice Unit if your council has one. They are not the easiest forms to fill out.

Make sure you ask your SENCO at school/nursery to start on the path of salutatory assessment towards an EHCplan.

You are on a journey not a straight one more shaped like a tree. The more people you ask for help and do your research the easier it will become. There is loads of information out there I have stumbled across a lot of it.

It's all good no bad for us now. He is in special school and enjoying life. I don't know when the next problems will turn up but we sort them out as they come along.

toomuchinfo

Hi there, my son id autistic, he is 18 now, and still in school (a special school that keeps them until 19).

As your son is newly diagnosed you will have a lot of things going on in your minds. I suggest reading as much as you can so that you are prepared for each stage of his life.
My son has learning difficulties and speech and language disability too, all part of the ASD, he still can't read and he will never be independent.

As one of my sons speciaists said when he was younger, you need to come to terms with your sons disabilities just as much as he does.