nautim

The Code of Practice came out for the Additional Support for Learning Act. Available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/20.../15105817/58187 Regards Nautim

Hi, Both my girls are on the spectrum but I only get DLA for the younger one - the form puts me off applying for the elder, but I have pangs about not applying, I really should do so.... Anyway. I couldn't find the DLA letter so i went to our gp and asked for a short note stating that both children were on the spectrum and had difficulty coping with things like queuing. Legoland accepted it with no problems. Remember your blue card as you can then get to the disabled parking- much closer to the entrance. We allowed two days for going round the park as there was so much to see. The getting wet bit was working when we were there - but the dry you off bit wasn't! It was October and being wet wasn't as pleasant as it might have been in summer time. Food inside is expensive but there were lots of picnic areas if you bring your own. I stopped feeling guilty about the entrance passes to avoid the queues very quickly when my younger daughter looked so happy moving round everything at her speed, not that of everyone around her. Hope that helps Nautim

If your child likes diggers then Diggerland is worth a trip. We went to the one near Newcastle. You will need a map because it isn't well signposted (they told us that they have to have above a certain number of visitors to get more signposting!) but there is a map on the website. You can buy day passes or a strip of tickets. We arrived in the afternoon on a poor day so only bought a strip - it was enough for two children +parents for a quick shot on most things. You can have a shot at driving different sized diggers, there are small ones with the bucket removed and things like a ball on rope to knock down skittles, a hook to catch ducks or a fork to dig for treasure substituted. You can go for a run in a JCB (or for more tokens drive it yourself), be driven round the site in a trailer behind a small dumper thing, drive dump trucks or my favourite - sit in the bucket of a huge digger and be spun round and round and up and down!. THere were some indoor things but they didn't look very exciting. If it was a good day there were picnic tables outside. Katie (8) needs someone with her- for rides where I was on to help her e.g. driving a dumper I went on free, where I took up a seat e.g. the spinning digger bucket I used tokens for me too. It was good fun and we would go back again. If it's been wet wear rubber boots as there was vast amounts of mud. Regards Nautim

Hi, My oldest daughter is almost 11. We've looked at 'Hair in funny places', also by Babette Cole. It is really good and gets to the point where the boys and girls are interested in each other but doesn't go past that point! I waited until I was seeing signs of puberty starting, then had a chat with her one evening about what changes she might see on her body, that went ok so I went onto discussing periods and what to do at school. I have a copy of what I sent to the school as my explanation of what's happening somewhere if you are interested. It was fairly simplistic but accurate. She appeared to take my explanation in her stride, finding it all quite funny. I have the fortunate/unfortunate role of doing sex ed at school with pupils but it's entirely different when the pupil is your own child somehow! There are some good books around, including some on personal hygiene, which can be an issue at this time. Regards Nautim

To add an update on the bill http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Educatio...ion/19094/18690 gives information on the bill itself, plus some associated stuff on implementation. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/care/18950/15906 gives the URL's which lead to some of the more interesting stuff on the net about ASD's in Scotland and http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/20.../14102552/26159 is where you can pick up a document called "Go for it!": Supporting People with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Employment Regards Nautim

To add to Nellie's suggestions perhaps 'Congratulations! It's Asperger Syndrome' by Jen Birch, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book.php/isbn/1-84310-112-2 It gives a personal view of getting a diagnosis as an adult with some of the advantages and disadvantages she has experienced as a result of being on the spectrum. Regards Nautim

Hi, I'm hiding under a pseudonym at the moment but anyone who knows me from other lists would probably recognise me. I have two daughters on the spectrum who are both also diagnosed with fetal valproate syndrome. The older one has just been looked at and diagnosed with DCD as well. I have several roles as I'm also a professional as well as a parent as well as my own diagnosis of Aspergers. Regards Nautim