ASD Diagnosis

missblue

If you have not contacted the National Autistic Society, that would be the best place to start, they do free parenting courses for coping with the first years of diagnoses. The Early Bird course was amazing, also the Help programme, I did both and it really helped me understand the professionals and how to get the help my son needed and strategies to help and other parents .

[Deleted User]

I have two sons, one 19 and one 9, both with ASD. The younger one has only just been diagnosed. The older one is on the surface more severely affected.., but the younger one has more 'thought processing problems so its more hidden, but actually more severe (if that makes sense).

The internet has always been a very useful source of information. The Aspergers Friendly forum can be useful. I live in Kent and we have the Kent Autistic Trust, they are a lifeline (they even helped me fill in the form for DLA for my younger son which went through in two weeks unlike the 9 months it took for my older son's decision - the right words make all the difference lol). You might have a similar organisation yourself in your area. They run lots of courses and its always helpful to have someone to talk to if things get a bit difficult.

I have found the DLA very useful, for the reasons given in other posts.., it means you have more choices. Thank goodness I don't have to search the settees for loose change because my son will only eat shop bought sandwiches (fortunately that one did disappear after a few weeks).

But remember ASD isn't all bad. Both of my son's are so special, they make me laugh, both of them come out with wise comments on life that take my breath away at times. Both are very intelligent and I'm so proud of them.