Aspergers/ASD support thread

Dummie_2

Hello miss missy. Thanks so much for your reply. Pls excuse me but I've never heard of a local portage. What is this? We are located in Farnham, Surrey. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Dummie_2

Missy - thank you so so much. In one simple post you have shone a light for us and have given me new hope. I really can't express how much I appreciate this.

I've just sent an email to them. Will keep everyone up-dated. Fingers crossed!

Carmina_Piranha_3

spud was referred for portage - does it need a referral? by the time he got a place he couldn't have it because he was in a private nursery for 3 days a week and 2 days a week is the max you're allowed. we were allowed to go to their playgroup style sessions though, a bit like a toddler group but all the children were having (or waiting for) portage.

Savvy_Sue

andycarmi wrote: »

your DS WILL do well because he has a Mum that will push and fight for him and for what he needs. He is a lucky boy to have a Mum like you and sure you feel just a lucky to have a DS like him.

Hear Hear!

And what excellent input from miss missy. Even if you can't self-refer, at least it's another thing you can agitate for and ask about, in case the professionals don't think of it at the time!

Dummie_2

Hello There

Just a quick post before I jump into the shower.

Miss Missy - I'm afraid Portage never got back to me dispite me contacting them a few times.

Anyway, I've arranged for a private SLT to assess LO. She is coming today at 9am. The assessment will cost £100 but as she works for the NHS as well she said she'll be able to point us in the right direction as to who we should seek help from depending on the outcome of her assessment.

I'm feeling very mixed up at the moment. I'm happy she's coming and I've been looking forward to it for ages but in another sense, today could be the day that the concerns I've had for the past year could all be confirmed. I'm so scared.

Our new HV finally got back to me. She's coming tomorrow morning to carry out a 2yr assessment at our home. So that's another thing that's happening as well.

I've also got a doctor's appointment later this afternoon to push for LO's 2nd hearing test (it took them 5-6wks to transfer our health records!!!).

Wish us luck.

Thanks for reading.

Dummie

Js_Other_Half

I do hope things start to move quickly now for you all.

Pink_butterfly_3

Hi Dummie

I have been reading your thread since you started and just wanted to wish you good luck for today.

I hope it went well for you

xxx

Carmina_Piranha_3

hi dummie, how did it go?

i remember spud's speech therapists used to give him a level he achieved for receptive language (understanding what people say) and spoken language. those might not be the correct terms. both 'scores' were given in months, and were both well below his chronological age. i remember crying with happiness the day they said his receptive language matched his actual age.

Dummie_2

(Deep breath)

The ST thinks it's highly likely that LO has autism. She said she cannot make a formal diagnoses but said we should ask our doctor for a referal to a peditrician and speech therapist. She says a NHS speech therapist would be better as they have close links to nurseries and schools.

She said DS's receptive language is nearly non existing and that he is relying on gestures instead (I had thought this myself) and that his expressive language was that of a 12-18mth old. He's now 28mths old.

She said to diagnose autism they have to look at many aspects with SL being only one of them. But for this area, she said he certainly fits the bill. Also because she's worked in this field for many years, she said that just by observing him today she could tell that his problems were not purely just a language one. She didn't actually mention autism until I brought it up.

So we're going to the doctors later. Lets hope he's helpful. The therapist said that if he's not helpful she will provide me with a written report and a 'very strongly worded' letter. But she thinks that the HV should catch on that something is not right upon seeing LO tomorrow morning for the 2yr assessment.

So. Mixed feelings. If I'm honest, I always knew deep down that something wasn't quite right but I was holding on to the hope that maybe I was over reacting. But now that hope is gone. And in a way that's good coz now we have to face it and the professionals have to face it and help us which is what I've been after this past year.

Carmina_Piranha_3

it's a mixed blessing isn't it - relief to know you're not imagining things or being neurotic, but sad because you don't know how different he will be.

hopefully now you'll get the support you need. early intervention can make a massive difference.

he'll still be your gorgeous little boy whatever happens *HUGS*