Linz

This is the first year that my son who is 7 seems to be excited by Christmas - this has resulted in our usual nice, calm school holidays (he's much less stressed when he isn't at school), being a complete nightmare - he has bitten his sister, kicked me in the face, lost his temper over a piece of cheese (yes cheese), gone completely mad as I accidently left the outside christmas lights on during the day, refused to eat his lunch today because it was tea not lunch!! - I can only think all this behaviour is a result of the build up to christmas - we got an advent calendar this year (big mistake I think), and now he knows exactly how many days until the big day - I can almost see the tension building in the poor little chap, anyway - just really wanted to sound off and maybe make things seem a little better.

Hi, Havent posted for a while - seem to have dissappeared under a fog of statements, school problems! - but just wanted to share with you all our experience last week. For some time we have been considering going to Bibic (British Institute for Brain Injured children) in Somerset - its a charity who deal with all kinds of different special needs - Autism being one of them - well last week we did it - off we went for 3 days to sunny Somerset - and after a hard two days of assesment, we were shown a programme of therapy to work with Andrew on a daily basis - its mostly sensory and auditory things - but most importantly we came away from there feeling refreshed and filled with hope and optimism. What a fantastic place it is - they don't claim to give you a diagnosis (luckily we already have one) or a cure, but what they do is helping you to realise your childs potential and give you tips on how to work with the child to improve their life and skills. They look at the child as a whole and assess all aspects of their ability and problems and then come up with a programme which will (hopefully) help. They made us feel totally at ease none of Andrew's behaviour fazed them and we were not made to feel embarrased or awkward if he acted up! - and he loved it! - they have a lovely sensory pool (which was very nice!), a sensory room and a music room which Andrew thought was fantastic. It may have cost a bit! (we have been saving hard!!), but having been it was worth every penny!!!

Jools - just to let you know we have tried Movical (sorry poor spelling) - it works by "bulking out the poo" (lovely) seems to be quite effective - but is VERY VERY messy if you have to clear up any accidents (consistancy of wet cement!!!!) - we are now, however trying more natual methods (diet change, supplements)

Reading your post was like reading a description of my son - he is nearly 7 will not poo on the toilet, can hold it in for England!!! - we recently went 14 days without one!! He soils his pants and will only poo in a nappy - even today he wet himself for the first time for ages. He is still in nappies at night - which are soaked in the morning - I like you can not face the prospect of sleepless nights and wet beds so I keep on with the nappies. I am told that it is a very slow process especially with boys - but we keep working at it. My son was also on laxatives for years and we decided to try and make changes to his diet to try and help with the constipation rather than pumping him full of medication. We have recently changed him to a wheat free diet and have seen some improvment in the constipation - we are considering dairy free as dairy intolerance is frequently linked to gut problems. Good Luck !!!!

Can any one advise where I might find information regarding Emergency Reviews of Statements. My sons school have advised that we need to ask the LEA to conduct such a review. Cheers

You have my sympathy - I also am Mother to a very accomplished escape artist - he can also run very very fast. I know how scary it can be, and I hope that you are feeling a bit better now.

Although I have been posting on this site for a while Ive just found this bit and thought I would tell you all about myself. My son Andrew is nearly 6 as was diagnosed with ADHD Last year and is on Ritalin, he was also dx with Aspergers in March this year, and they also think he has dyspraxia. I also have a 4 year old daughter who so far seems fine. I have struggled to come to terms with Andrew's problems and feel as if I am just starting out ! - Andrew has just finished his first year of school and at the moment we are pushing the school to have him statemented. Andrew has severe toileting issues and a times I marvel at myself that I just take everything in my stride, when maybe other mothers would go mad if their child poo'd on the carpet to me it is just part of my life. It is only accasionally that I realise how effected we are by Andrew's problems. I love my intelligent, affectionate child to bits, although at times I could scream he makes me so mad. So glad I found this forum - I enjoy reading all the posts and feeling that I am not alone. Thank You

I agree with the comment about cheese strings but then I don't eat them they look like rubber to me (and probably taste like it - not that I know of course) please no jokes about rubber I don't think I could take it today - anyway we have run out of the flipping things (cheese strings that is) and I am sure next time Andrew tries to find one in the fridge he is going to go mad!!!!!!!! cos hes eating the whole lot.

Sorry just had to add we have a bit of a thing going on with cheese strings at the moment, Andrew is just plain obsessed with them - he steals them from the fridge morning noon and night, oh and drinking yougarts (do you see some kind of dairy thing going on here!!) Anyhow got an appointment with a dietitian in August so you never know what could happen

Andrew doesn't like crisps cos they hurt his teeth!! (good one that!), but cereals of any kind make a good substitute when he wont eat anything else...... and of course there is always good old peanut butter.... on bread on crackers or just plain out of the jar!! (im currently wondering if Im going to have to make peanut butter sandwhiches for his entire school life. Even taking a jar of it on holiday for a little trip to france next week just in case it gets lonely at home!!!

If I have to make another peanut butter sandwhich I will go barmy!!!!

My son has ADHD & Aspergers and is on Ritalin - whilst medicated the Aspergers symptoms seem to come to the fore - after a recent increase in his medication he became unmanageable and we had to drop the medication levels again. Our consultant seemed to imply that the Ritalin can aggrivate the more obsessive side of the aspergers - has anyone got any experiences in the same situation that they can share with me. Thanks