smiley

How fantastic to hear of a school/teacher doing the right thing - she's worth her weight in gold Excellent news xx

Know how you feel Jayne, it was exhausting writing it. I know it can sometimes be a long wait to hear back - i'm hoping not too long. I had to give up one of my jobs because my son wasn't coping at all well, so the money will be a huge help. Ps - The difference in him is amazing - definately the right decision.....just need to persuade my bank manager...

Right....... Have filled in gut renching form (isn't it horrible to put it all down on paper). Have fantastic report from speech therapist Have photocopied every last bit of it..... Is going in the post (recorded delivery ) Am praying to the DLA god in the sky, have done back flips, haven't walked under any ladders - avoided black cats etc etc, have everything crossed that the 'ever so nice' (i'm creeping now) dla person will actually look at it instead of just going 'no - hand me another'. Do you think they just put them in a line 'ipp- dippp... dog's .......'?? Keep everything crossed for me

Dontcha love it when it double posts!!

Hiya Daisy, There is one little horror at my sons school - very street wise and manipulative. Although M hasn't made 'friends' with him - he is facinated by him. He will approach him over and over again - although this child has bullied him horribly. I really don't think M realises that going over to him is going to cause him problems. Not sure if this is whats going on with your child, just thought it might be worth mentioning xxxxxxxxxx

How do i cope - hmmmm good question! Damn good sense of humour helps!! My son does something similar - i just try to ignore it now. If he's getting really silly, then i have to either find him somewhere quiet (- he gets worse in crowds of people, too much noise and things going on for him) or i go home. For the stares - i used to find that increadibly difficult. But i don't like the idea of putting a 'i have aspergers' kind of badge on him. The happy medium for me is small cards you can get from the NAS - although i'm sure you can make some of your own up - It just says 'This child has Aspergers......' and explains a little about it. If someone is staring, and i fell uncomfortable - i had one over!! The majority of the stares come from lack of awareness. Hope this helps <'>

Hello Soph - sorry to hear you've been poorly. I'm not sure what i could say that will help you - i'll just give you my son's experiences... My son (6, AS) loves to be wrapped in things. As a baby, and now, he asks to have his duvet cover tucked all around him. Quite tightly - and you can see him physically relax. We have fleece blankets in his bedroom and the lounge - he will often wrap himself up (any time of day - no matter what he's doing), again, quite tightly. This seems to be very reasuring for him. He has ear defenders - brought mainly for things like fireworks, large crowds of people (he can find sudden noise very frightening - and the crowds of peoples' noise very difficult to 'shut out'). But he has taken to wearing them around the house - even when it's quiet - he says he likes them 'pushing'. I think this is a similar reasurance as the duvet/fleece. He does like pressure - on his shoulders or lower back, but only when he can tolerate being touched. I have heard of children using the weighted neck collars they use at hairdressers, but i haven't tried that with my son - he has a fear of hairdressers. Not sure if any of this will help you! xxxx

<'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> Take your time - we'll be here xx

Lauren <'> Please put your worries in writing - this woman is obviously not the right person to deal with children with ASDs. She sound utterly clueless! At least you will have one positive thing come out of this - if enough parents complain the very least they should do is give her some decent training - (failing that - send her into the Batcave for a bit ) Put in your letter that you'd like to have someone else take over your case. Hugs <'> xxxx

Wow Sue - Well said! Mary xx Edited this to say 'Well said' to Lucas too xx

S G - What a mix of emotions reading your post - i'm furious and sad for you - how dare they treat you and your son like that. It's just so cruel There must have been a better way to handle the situation. Our children rarely get the chance to shine - i feel so sorry for your little one. Write that letter - i'm sure we can help you.... ...... Send copies to the school head, school goveners and LEA. Scream and shout if you have to. You deserve and appology or at the very least a decent explanation. Have some more hugs <'> <'> xxxxxxx

Hello Mali and Welcome.. <'> It's really difficult to say when/how the diagnosis will work for you, everyones experience is different. But you've come to the right place for advice and a natter

My little boy never, ever fails to amaze me We were chatting about his new LSA (1-1 support for him 3 hrs a day), i was asking him what she was like etc... "She has brown hair" was about the best answer he gave me . He bagan to talk about what's 'tricky' for him - which surprised me as he never mentions thing like that (he's obviously becoming aware he's different). I asked him if he knew why he found these things tricky... His answer... "''cause of my aullism mummy" ... and rolled his eyes! He went on to say that 'one lady helps me to listen really hard' (Paed), 'one lady helps me understand really hard' (speech therapist) and 'one lady helps me with tricky things at school' (LSA). I very gingerly talked about Aspergers with him (said it was another word for Aullism!). I kept it short and sweet - didn't want to overload him. But i wish you could have seen his face - i was explaining the main things he finds difficult.... he just kept saying 'your right mummy - i do!!'. He had such a look of relief Early days and all that - but bless him (Ps - i asked him what mummy helps with.... "oh, EVERYTHING mummy, 'cause you love me, and i'm your baby" )

That made me laugh Hope your not feeling too Hows the headache?? - thought i'd better whisper......

Well Done Mandy - Your little girls gorgeous

Hiya Lil-me, I hope your feeling better today <'> <'> Do i ever feel like that?? Hell yes!! More often than not I've always said i'm an outgoing recluse.... I'm a friendly, chatty person, the strong one that deals with everything, the 'tough cookie', but i have days when i can't bear to leave the house, or answer the phone. I burst into tears the other day because the kettle wouldn't boil quickly enough - I really needed a cuppa! I used to beat myself up when one of these days hit - i'm better at letting them happen now. Our lives can be soooo stressful, it's no wonder we hit the wall sometimes <'> <'>

I would agree with Zemanski - i've just had to chose which juniour school to send M to next year.. One was all singing, all dancing, stacks of money in the pot, excellent ofsted report, swimming pool, etc.. - around 38 per class.... The other has one class per year, about 20 per class, not so much money, not such a great ofsted report (though still good), little shabby around the edges... I chose the second school. M would not cope in the first - it's far too interested in pushing the children in every way. When it came down to it - the second school was quite simply 'nice'. The children chatted easily to the Headmaster and teachers as they showed us around the school. They looked out for each other. It has a friendly atmosphere. The Head was easy to talk to and has a good understanding of ASDs. If your happy with the school - i'd leave him there xxx

Happy Birthday!

Hiya Sallya <'> Sorry you've has such a hard time - but i truly do understand. My mum suffers from schizophrenia as well. Childhood ends up like a war zone, doesn't it I've always been in close contact with my mum - she has a flat of her own now and doing fairly well. Phasmid is right in saying contact her CPN (nurse), they're usually at the Drs surgery. I contact mum's CPN if things are going wrong, and he does the same. I'm sure they would be able to arrange a meeting place for you. As far as contact for the children - my son does see his Gran, but only if i am absoulutely sure she's well. If he doesn't see her for a while, i just tell him granny's not feeling well, and he accepts that. If you have any hesitations about your childrens safety, don't take them. But in saying that, if she's doing well, and taking her meds, everything should be fine. I usually call my mum just before we are due to go over, if she sounds unwell - i simply don't go. Hope this helps - feel free to PM me xxxxxxxxxx Mary xx

I wasn't told the appointment was for a Dx ......... but i knew the team had got together so had a feeling it would be. I've had that written on an appointment before - it was a student DR!!!!! Best idea is to call them - put your mind at rest xxx

Hi Flutter - Little boy here - so won't have that one to worry about (phew! ). But, the endo...... i have pain down one leg ........ raised temp ....... get very wobbily (kind of low sugar thing) .... Not sure how you are affected by it, but might you be able to spot some of the symptoms other than pain? Hope thats helped <'>

Baileys!! Seriously - just listen to my son, really listen. And plan everything. Be aware of his boundaries and aware of his dreams....

Excellent! Me thinks the letters are finally working...........

Fairly sure mine fell out ........... either that, or they're with those missing socks .......

You (gradually) become immune to comments like that - i promise <'>