Aspergers/ASD support thread

tilly's_mum

Hi Shazrobo

You can ring social services (or fill in a form online - I live in Lancashire and its on the Lancashire County Council Website) and request a carers assessment and they have to come out and see you within a set period of time to do the assessment. The assessment is for anybody who is an unpaid carer not on the condition of the cared for.

Your local carers centre may have info on what respite is available - my dauughter had a crossroads carer funded by children in need (they applied for the funding not me) I rang them up and arranged it as I had no social worker at the time - though you might need a letter from a social worker but if it not costing social services anything you should be able to.

I found that going to carer coffee mornings etc really useful - even if the carers where looking after older people as you can find out what services other people access and how to get them - sometimes it feels like its a big secret what help is out there and how to get it (and how little the so called professionals know - I think part of their training is on how to fob you off and take as long as possible to do anything so you give up!!) and they usually have nice cakes or biscuits!!

Some carers centres run young carers groups for siblings - they have drop ins and take the children out during the holidays - theatre trips and activity weekends away - sometimes free or reduced cost.

We also have a barnardos play scheme in my area - they have holiday clubs and provide one to one support for children who wish to access mainstream cubs, brownies etc... Not sure on their criteria but I got referred by the health visitor as I did not have a social worker at the time.

davef

kit wrote: »

I have been 'advised' (ok, told!) that ASD is no longer 'PC'. We are now meant to say ASC ..... its a condition, not a disorder.

Not true - its ASD. Speak to any 'professional' and they all refer to Aspergers as being an "Autistic Spectrum Disorder"


The following is an extract from the National Autistic Society website
Who is affected by Asperger syndrome?
There are over half a milion people in the UK with an autism spectrum disorder - that's around 1 in 100. People with Asperger syndrome come from all nationalities, cultures, social backgrounds and religions. However, the condition appears to be more common in males than females; the reason for this is unknown.
For the record my son has aspergers & it does not bother me in the slightest what people call it ASD, ASC etc.

My son has been in the national news this week. Link attached.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3279424.ece

The fact he has ASD may possibly have saved his and my partners lives as he is very technically minded & inquisitive about mechanical 'things'. I only showed him the controls a few months ago & he takes it all in.

Dave

D&DD

:T :T :T
Wow I read all about Jonathan in the Daily Mail yesterday he had a full page spread :j
What a hero you must be extremely proud..as well as very relieved!!!!!

Snaggles

Ryan's diagnosis this week was given as Autism Spectrum Condition, specifically Aspergers Syndrome, so perhaps there is a move towards describing it that way. Personally I'm not bothered, I don't have a problem with either. I still say ASD though.

Goodness you must be proud of your son - what an absolute hero! :T

Chollita

I saw the Times headline but hadn't read the article - how good to see such a positive article about Aspergers. Well done to your lad, and hope your partner gets her health problem sorted out.

madhouse

Hello, just introducing myself to the thread. I found this while searching money saving threads as we're on a strict budget now. I have a 13 year old with Asperger's syndrome. I have been home educating him now for 4 years. We withdrew him from school, as we were losing him to anxiety, depression, low self esteem and many behavioural problems. He has many sensory problems including high sensitivity to noise, smells, touch etc. and was over stimulated in a school environment.We have slowly gained our son back and although it is really hard work ( he doesn't need much sleep!!) it has been the best thing we have done for him.

I'm not sure if this book has been mentioned but the blue bottle mystery by kathy hoopman is fantastic. It is a children's story about a child finding out he has Asperger's syndrome and explaining why he was so different. My son found it was a lightbulb moment.

We also run a social group for families with children with autism and it's a great chance to get together over a cup of tea while the children play without predjudice. We started it after we found it increasingly difficult to find places to go.

kit

davef wrote: »

Not true - its ASD. Speak to any 'professional' and they all refer to Aspergers as being an "Autistic Spectrum Disorder"

It is true. What reason would I have to lie?!
Everything I am receiving is now refering to it as ASC if its from an up to date professional or organisation.

Snaggles wrote: »

Ryan's diagnosis this week was given as Autism Spectrum Condition, specifically Aspergers Syndrome, so perhaps there is a move towards describing it that way. Personally I'm not bothered, I don't have a problem with either. I still say ASD though.

Thanks for the confirmation. I also still refer to it as ASD but had a big meeting with lots of professionals today and noted that more people are refering to it as ASC so its time for me to change I think!

madhouse

We too were told in december that they were getting rid of the disorder part as it sounded too negative!!!

fsdss

thought you good people might be able to help me

i have been asked to run a session for a local support group for people with Autism in the family. i have very little limited experience and don't wish to detract from my speciality, however i will be advertising for a specialist play worker, so that the group can gain maximum support and assistance. this is where i am stuck. the sessions are focused on play - i have a lot of equipment which is specialised and useful for children with autism, so thats not the problem - the question is finding the right person and what would be the qualities that you would look for in a candidate?.
the range of the children vary in age and also widely across the spectrum from high functioning to mild autism - there will be 12 children per session if that helps.

Savvy_Sue

fsdss wrote: »

the range of the children vary in age and also widely across the spectrum from high functioning to mild autism - there will be 12 children per session if that helps.

1 playworker, 12 children with ASC? You need a saint ... :rotfl:

Sorry I can't be much more help than that, never having needed to access anything like that myself. I'm sure others can. Or maybe you'll come back and say 1 specialist playworker and various others to give the 1:1 which will be necessary ...

Qualities: proven experience of dealing with a range of children with ASC, from high functioning to mild. NOT someone who's been on a course and found it interesting. But I'm sure you know that. And it's not so much of a quality as an essential requirement of the person spec.

I'm sure we'd all love to know how you get on with this!