Aspergers/ASD support thread

gardening_club

Hi, you should trust your instincts. You know there is something alittle quirky about your delightful son and so do the school - goodness knows they see enough children to be able to make a comparison and suggest when someone is "different". Check out the aspie websites. I have a son who is currently being diagnosed and yours certainly ticks all the boxes. Don't wait - get it sorted so you can make sure you and the school provide the most apt. support. The SENCO is alittle concerning at yr school though i have to say! I'm sure he is changing all the time but as he gets older those little differences will become more noticeable to him and to his peers. BUT it WILL be ok. Good luck and enjoy him for his special ways.....

dizzyblonde82

tiggy_114 wrote: »

I am a special needs TA in an autism unit and my son is aspie. i think the reason the teacher was concerned is that for a child to have Autism spectrum disorder, they have to fit the triad of imparements. These are: Social skills problems, language and communication issues ( like not getting sarcasm, speaking old for their age, literal speaking, bad eye contact etc...), and flexability of thought issues ( things like not coping with changes too well, prefering factual books to fictional, prefers factual or predictable and controllable games instead of imagination type play) My son also is a high level reader but he doesn't understand always what he's reading, it doesn't go in. You ask him to read and he reads, but you didn't ask him to take it in so he just reads it like a robot. I'm no expert but in boys especially, Aspergers is not uncommon. I think it's 1 in 60 boys roughly. And it's not the end of the world. My son is like an ordinary boy, just a bit quirky. There is a ton of info on the net and many books which can help you understand it. And if they do diagnose him, it's the best thing i think because as my son got older he kept asking me what was wrong with him. Now i have an answer for him. Plus, school are brilliant with him now. they make alot of exceptions for him. Also, ask if they do ginger bear group at your school. It's a KS1 program to develop social skills in kids. It's really good and great fun for them as well

Thank you for this post, I have a 5yr old son who is displaying extreme behavioural problems at school which is due to him not being able to communicate fully and express his feelings, he also has an advanced volcabulary which his classmates do not understand. My son is fantastic with computers and video games but doesn't play with any of his play toys.

We have seen a paediatrician (who has stated that my son displays signs that he has both ASD and ADHD but more assessments are needed before confirmation of diagnosis) and are waiting for a CAHMs appointment and speech and language appointment. The LEA are currently evaulating all the evidence documentations to see if they are going to progress to carrying out a full Statement of Educational needs.

OP - You need to talk to you son's school as they should be supporting his needs, my son's school have been fantastic and are currently funding 1 on 1 for the whole time my son is in school until the LEA decide on the SEN.

wornoutmumoftwo

Not read all the posts but my son is now 8 and has aspergers, and is an advanced learner in some areas which the school plan for.
He actually gets support in class for advanced reading as he is years ahead of his class, (they are still repeating phonics as he is in a primary 2 class as I deferred him from starting school for a year).
He has poor social skills, doesn't play with toys. The only 'play' he does is on his terms and usually he is acting out an area of interest, such as doctor who.
He was assessed as on the spectrum at 4, but as I was in complete denial at the time he wasn't assessed for aspergers until he was 8.

The school my son goes to support him in everything. He often tries to 'opt out' and they have strategies in place for EVERYTHING.

I'm in the process of doing a visual 'timetable' in the house as all my son wants to do is go on the computer, and with spring/summer coming, I want him to go outside some more.

cobbingstones

chelle230 wrote: »

this sounds so much like my 5 year old son. he is very advanced in reading and writing, he is in reception year but goes up to year 1 for these lessons.
he won't learn through play, and finds it very difficult to interact with other children. he won't play with toys at all. he likes to draw and colour, play on the wii, adn watch certain tv programmes.
everything has to be in order for him, his whole routine has to be regimented, and he is obsessive about time, and constantly tells everyone what time it is, and what happens when.
he started karate a few weeks back, which is something he looks forward to, but last nights class was a nightmare and he just would not behave.
his behaviour in general is pretty bad.
this was all confirmed at his parents evening last week, and with our blessing his teacher was going to speak to the inclusion manager at the school about getting a referral. I approached her today as he is getting worse, but have been told it will be quicker to go to our own gp, who will refer him on.

I'm tired, don't know about you cobbingstones, but he is hard work, especially as he's up at not long after 6am every morning, no matter what time he goes to bed.
he is the most loving boy you could ever meet, but he can flip, like jekyll and hyde.

at first I thought I was over-reacting, and sick of people saying he's a boy, he's only 5, but as you know it is a lot more than that.
I would love to hand him over to some of these people for onbe day and see how they find it. I feel like crying sometimes as it's so hard.

hope we both get the answers we need to help our children progress and reach their full potential

Thank you so much for your post. You're not on your own xx

cobbingstones

mel12 wrote: »

Does it need to be more varied or would it be better to accept him as he is?

I have aspergers myself and find routines and strong interests very calming and a source of joy. Its a different thinking style most non-aspies don't seem to get, but its not wrong. Its very stressful / painful when people try to make me change harmless things to fit their artificial norms!

Thank you Mel for your insightful post.

cobbingstones

DKLS wrote: »

Get him started on computer programming, aspies make fantastic coders, a friend of mine is an aspie and a coder, she earnt 600k last year!!!! not bad for a geek.

I've already ordered a new car on this information! :-)

Really 600k wow!

DKLS

cobbingstones wrote: »

I've already ordered a new car on this information! :-)

Really 600k wow!

Yes she is a total genius and worth every penny she earns, her coding is exquisite and her work is very much in demand.

ikati5

If you suspect your child has Aspergers Syndrome you must first see your GP who will refer you to a child and family clinic for proper assessment.

Once fully assessed, they will ask you a lot of questions about birth to 3, focussing on really early behaviour patterns, you will get all the help and educational support you need for your son to develop at his own pace.

There are some schools available solely for children who cannot cope with a classroom environment and sats and exams are approached in a different way. These children are often incredibly bright academically but suffer in other areas of their lives and need expert help.

I would advise having him assessed earlier rather than later because any social problems he may have, if Aspergers, cannot be cured and will become increasingly more pronounced with secondary school becoming a real problem.

Good Luck

starnight_2

I have a question about an IEP, not sure where else to ask it.

I signed DS's IEP in October at parent teacher meeting at school. I never got a copy of it no matter how many times I asked, but from what I could remember it was due for review in March. Eventually last week I spoke to the head to told me they would sort it. Yesterday DS came home with the IEP, so I was happy, it was a bad day for him so I didn't get looking at it until this morning. Once I looked at it, it was eveything I remembered, BUT it doesn't have my signature so it's not a copy of the original. Not only that, but this one is dated from Februaury 2011 due for review June 2011.

This was NEVER discussed with me as there are other things I would like to dicuss with the school. Suerly this can't be right? Are they not supposed to have the review and discuss things with me?

I'm wanting to take this up with the school but want to make sure I've got things right. DS hasn't improved much on what the original IEP focused on, and as I said there are now other things I wish to discuss with them

Thanks
starnight

Flyboy152

starnight wrote: »

I have a question about an IEP, not sure where else to ask it.

I signed DS's IEP in October at parent teacher meeting at school. I never got a copy of it no matter how many times I asked, but from what I could remember it was due for review in March. Eventually last week I spoke to the head to told me they would sort it. Yesterday DS came home with the IEP, so I was happy, it was a bad day for him so I didn't get looking at it until this morning. Once I looked at it, it was eveything I remembered, BUT it doesn't have my signature so it's not a copy of the original. Not only that, but this one is dated from Februaury 2011 due for review June 2011.

This was NEVER discussed with me as there are other things I would like to dicuss with the school. Suerly this can't be right? Are they not supposed to have the review and discuss things with me?

I'm wanting to take this up with the school but want to make sure I've got things right. DS hasn't improved much on what the original IEP focused on, and as I said there are now other things I wish to discuss with them

Thanks
starnight

IEPs/provision maps are not necessarily something a parent would need to be consulted over, as a rule, it is normally only done as a courtesy. But they should certainly be told of its contents etc. and be given an immediate copy. Are you perhaps getting this mixed up with a statement (apologies for any wrongful assumption)?

That said, it is a bit of a poor showing from the school, if they have delayed in forwarding you a copy of the map and not keeping you in the loop. What has the school said about the reason for the delay and the surprise map?