lynda4

I hate the forms too. I've done a few now and it doesn't get easier, its so depressing going on and on about all the things they can't do. I found the best way to tackle it is to start early with filling in the easy bits like name and address, then another day, do another easy-ish part, then another day maybe just one box and so on. You might find that you get into it and can do more some days but as long as you start early and are careful not to exceed the time limit, it seems less painful that way. I hate the bl**dy things though and don't understand why we have to do them so often! Ds2 and dds forms were redone every 2-3 years at first and it soon comes round. Even now at age 22 and 14, its only 4 or 5 years but they'll have Aspergers forever, its not like they grow out of it is it? Ds2 should have got the higher rate mobility but we were turned down and turned down again at the next stage, appeal? I do know some people who've got the higher rate mobility but they are few and far between. I do think its always worth appealing though and if you're strong enough, take it a step further to tribunal if you can.

charm

treasure

My ds2 recently got Direct Payments for a helper to take him on outings, like to do sports and practise some social skills. Her CRB (police etc) check came back a day or two ago and so at last he can go out alone with her! He went yesterday and it all went well. I sent her to the computer games shop with him to choose some games, I thought that would start their relationship off well. WHAT a relief to hand over that particular job for once! He can easily spend a few hours in there, inspecting every single game in the shop in great detail. Its going to make a massive difference to us, best thing that's happened in years!

keeper

skull

cup

gold

gun

My ds2 is on Risperdal. He went on it when he was 19 and it works very well for him. He has 1mg a day and takes it at bedtime. After a bad spell once, I put him up to 1.5mg and it calmed him down a lot but he wasn't happy to stay on that dose, as he said he couldn't think like he wanted to. It seemed to be a pay-off, either he was pleasant, calm and sensible, able to be practical and be reasoned with, or he was slightly on the 'high' side, more difficult to live with but he said he just felt right that way. He likes to think of clever, technical things like inventions and stuff and he says he gets better ideas when he's on a lower dose (more 'high'). As he's an adult, its his choice and on 1mg a day he's ok to live with from my point of view and happy with how his mind is working from his own point of view, so he's settled on that now. We did try a lower dose but it didn't work for either of us, he was very difficult to live with and was too stressed to think straight, so we're satisfied its the optimum dose for him, at least for now. He doesn't seem to have had any side effects. It didn't help with his sleeping so he's also on a low dose of Melatonin now and that helps a great deal.

stick

Sir (loin)

cloth

trestle

I'm sorry to hear you've been to a bum theme park and were treated badly and that quote ".. XX does not wish to discriminate against guests with special needs therefore the full admission rate will be charged." is really shocking!!! I'm amazed they get away with that in this day and age. Glad to hear it didn't spoil your day though. We've been to Chessington, Legoland and Alton Towers and all were great re disabilities. We had to take proof, which in our case was a DLA letter. We got carers in free and/or reductions in price, can't remember how much unfortunately and were given "exit pass" wristbands or hands stamped so we didn't have to queue for anything.