Aspergers/ASD support thread

[Deleted User]

I hope I am not breaking any rules posting this....if so, please remove it.

I have an autistic son, this is close to my heart.

Don't know if you are aware of the Autism Bill, which aims to challenge the exclusion from services that many people with autism face. I've just campaigned with The National Autistic Society to ask my MP to support it.

They need 100 MPs to go to the debate on the Bill on Friday 27 February. MPs don't usually meet on a Friday so they need as many people as possible to email their MP and ask them to vote for the Bill. So far, 14 MPs have committed to attending so your email really will make a difference! Please click on the link below to take part in this campaign action now and forward this to family and friends.

http://www.campaigns.autism.org.uk/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=10&ea.campaign.id=2285

Thank You!! :A

blue_monkey_2

Van1971 wrote: »

I hope I am not breaking any rules posting this....

http://www.campaigns.autism.org.uk/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=10&ea.campaign.id=2285

Thank You!! :A

None at all. I've just joined too.

blue_monkey_2

HI everyone,

A little update. I've applied for a Blue Badge and today I got a call from them who asked me to explain about Ryan's condition because he is too young to get DLA Mobility. I had sent some doctors letters because we are still between doctors and I was talking to the lady for ages but they have awarded me a blue badge. :T

They did say to me that it was awarded because of the safety aspect and because ASD children have no concept of danger and the cars and running off - which Ryan does not have. They have awarded it to me for his safety and if in 3 years I do not need it then I just do not apply again.

So if you are in any doubt then do apply. It cost £2 with the application and I figured the worst I could lose was £2.

PasturesNew

I nearly had a meltdown in a car park yesterday. Luckily, now I know what my problem is, I managed to hold on and not go into a paddy

I'd parked (as usual) away from other cars. I like to know that when I come back to my car I have room to get in and get my shopping in. Not unreasonable at a supermarket.

When I got back a car had parked badly on one side, couldn't open the passenger door. On the other side this old duffer had parked straight but too close to my car. I could open my door and I could get in, but I couldn't open the door enough to get any of my shopping in at all. So, the duffer's just ahead of me and I see him open his boot and put a couple of things in. I put the whole trolley in front of my car, and waited... and waited....

Old duffer got into his car... and sat there. And sat there.

Finally I snapped, grabbed one bag containing a 6-pack of cokes, opened my door and went to try to put it in the car. It was clear I couldn't open my door enough ... and the old duffer still hadn't started his engine. So I started to flip out and be angry. I slammed my door and stomped off ....

Being an Aspie I can't "just ask". There's no such thing. I can't "just ask him to move out" or "just ask" anything.

So, old duffer's STILL there. I wanted to put the trolley behind his car and sod off.... or tip it up in the car park behind his car and sod off.... but I kept cool.

Eventually duffer chops started his car and f3cked off. grrrrrrr

I usually always park in an end spot of a row. Always. This time I'd tried out a different area of the car park and had headed for an empty area. I won't do that again.

Mandles

My son has just been diagnosed with Aspergers. He is still at playgroup. He does laugh at things and i thought he had a sense of humour(finds you've been framed funny). I am in a bit of limbo about it all at the moment especially when i was told that he probably will have no social skills.This alone is such a huge thing to accept. Is this always the case? Will he have problems socially?

His main problem is the lack of fear of danger and he is hyper all day long and has real anger problems. I rarely take him out (he does go to playgroup a lot) as i just can't cope with him in shops on my own. And we rarely go out socially as you cant take him as you are just chasing him around peoples houses and stopping him grabbing ornaments, switching all buttons/switches on or off etc the whole time. So another question is do you think i will be able to get financial help. Unfortunately i have no family that can look after him(in laws are too old to look after him) and i have one friend that i could ask but i would not expect her to without paying her a decent amount because i know he will be awful. and i am skint! I would love to finally go out and have a normal evening with our other kids who are fantastic and really help a lot. .Might be worth mentioning that i have been on the verge of a nervous breakdown with him , especially as he burnt a relatives house down after being in the house for 15 mins!!

Also this blue badge thing sounds great as trying to hold his hand as he will just run in the road is a nightmare so is this good enough grounds?

It is all such a shock but if i can get some things sorted it would be great as our whole family revolve around him and keeping him happy and i i just feel so guilty as the other kids get a bit neglected really.

Savvy_Sue

Just so you don't feel you're being ignored, Mandles, it's very difficult to predict what a child on the Autistic Spectrum may or may not be capable of, given time. Of course it's a shock, and it probably will be hard to access the support you need, but take a look at the Benefits board for advice about claiming DLA. They do recommend getting help with the form: it's not the diagnosis which opens the door to it, or to a blue badge. For DLA you'll need to demonstrate that your son needs MORE help and supervision than the 'average' child of his age does - and that can be hard when most pre-school children need a good deal of time and attention. But don't let that put you off, just make sure it means you get the help with filling it in.

Would your in-laws or your friend be able to help out with the other children, so that they get a break from his needs? Would you consider asking Social Services for help with respite care so YOU get a break?

Sarahsaver

Mandles think of the positive aspects.
my sons consultant said i had done this without even realising.
my son is sensitive, artistic, a good cook, pays IMMENSE attention to detail, can hold a conversation with adults on deep issues, he is extremely honest.
Also obsessions in later life can be to an advantage - think of sp[orts people, chefs, engineers...
i will discuss the hard stuff later when the baby is asleep
just wanted you to know i have BTDT but if you start positively life will be easier (hugs)
btw my son has done all sorts of terrifying things so i genuinel;y sympathise;)

dawnydee73

I have been following this thread with interest for a few months now.

My son is 9 and has be diagnosed with dyspraxia for a couple of years now. He has group therapy weekly, which is great to help with the physical side of things but I am noticing more and more as he gets older behavioral problems. School has been supportive and he does have a IEP in place, we are seeing the ed psychologist this week but I'm really nervous now.

It could be the behavioural problems are linked to dyspraxia but it wouldn't surprised me if I was told its something else.

Strapped

Some very good news in the Strapped household today: DS has been awarded high rate care and low rate mobility DLA. Amazingly quick response! :j I can't quite believe it -so relieved after some of the horror stories I've heard.

I have already rung for a Carers Allowance claim form!

lukiesgirl

Strapped wrote: »

Some very good news in the Strapped household today: DS has been awarded high rate care and low rate mobility DLA. Amazingly quick response! :j I can't quite believe it -so relieved after some of the horror stories I've heard.

I have already rung for a Carers Allowance claim form!

Hi there congratulations - although I dont mean it sound like a celebration of your little boys disability. You can apply for CA online it is much quicker. Also make sure you ring the Child Tax Credit bods because I think you can get extra if claiming DLA. Good Luck
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