Stephanie

Yes, hi I posted the original thread about this topic that was mentioned on here. My son is still getting red ears (usually just one) and we all go around the house shouting "red alert, red alert whoop whoop etc" and making a big joke of it. I have looked at food intolerance - most likely gluten because all he eats is bread and toast, and some cereals. Fact of the matter is if I took those foods away from him, he would starve! Worth noting though. Something I will look into when his fear of new foods subsides (if ever). Oh cr*p, whilst I was writing this, my toddler has covered my dining room carpet with a brand new bottle of clinique foundation (he had to pick the good stuff)! Great!

Yes Centerparcs is expensive, so listen up ... Centerparcs are doing a ?100 off on certain dates (was an ad in Daily Mail), example: we are going 1st May Mon-Fri at Sherwood, executive villa for ?349 (insteas of ?670). Just phone up 0870 520 0300 and quote DMV16 (open to everyone no coupons etc) - all parcs, restricted dates, comfort and exec villas. Cheers!

My son is getting more and more limited in what he is eating and I am sick of cooking the same old thing, his diet consists of toast (jam, lemon curd, cheese spread, chocolate spread topping), cereal, sandwiches (sweet fillings), turkey dinosaurs, turkey jetters, alphabites, sumthings (only because he likes letters and numbers, not because he likes potato). He will have anything sweet, but hardly anything savoury. I don't know whether it is the texture or the fact that he is so reluctant to try anything new (unless I guarantee that it is sweet). I have seen a specialist, who was able to help me get him onto bread without it being toasted (because he needed to eat sandwiches for school). I have to take him to McDonalds once a fortnight just to ensure he gets some chicken in him, ridiculous! He isn't overweight or anything but I am so I worry that if he carries on like this he will be. He is nearly 5 - will he grow out of it? What do your ASD kids eat - what should I try?? Any ideas for dinner?

Cheers! I only applied as I know someone who gets it for their son who is slightly worse than mine and she gets DLA and CA and it sounded like a lot of money that I could be missing out on. I didn't apply at first as I thought it would label my son "disabled" which I was in fear of. I was so sure that I would get the same just because my son has now been DX'd. I think the schools report may not have helped my application (but then my form was filled out painting the worst possible scenario's etc). It all just seems like so much hassle and heartache - I read all your stories and your children seem to need a lot more care than my son yet you are also getting refused. I may try again next year, I feel too fraudulent to fight it - he is doing so well and other people need it so much more. Good advice about the photocopying though ... forgot to copy the form last time!

I would have cheered for him for you! <'>

On the subject of Eye Q - try the Eye Q Smooth sachets if capsules and tablets won't work - they are like squeezy yoghurts. Kind of small sachets. My very fussy son has one everyday and as he has never eaten fish, he can't compare the taste (they do have a slightly fishy/tuna overtone but are fruit flavoured). ?15 for 30 = not cheap. Sometimes Boots do a 3 for 2. Haliborange are also quite nice tasting but Eye Q seems to get better press and marketing. He has been on them for 5 months, on one a day, difficult to know if they are working or if he is just getting better with age.

It is only natural, what kind of mother would you be if you didn't care? My son is only 4 but it is one of my biggest fears, that people wont like him and he will get bullied. Like any Mum I love him to bits and want everyone else to see him as I do. I have already noticed that he isn't being invited to some of the childrens parties from school which I am choked about. Luckily, he hasn't noticed (but he would care). Still, he'll always have me as his best friend.

How are you today? Apart from us, do you have anyone to support you? We might have to get some kind of online group hug sorted out!

Come on there are so many more good things about our kids then there are bad. My 4 year old son makes me proud every day in some way or another (even if he did write me a note at school saying "Dear Mummy, thank you for don't know") lol. I was so proud of him last night when my husband walked in after football training and my son said hello to him and I said "what are you going to ask Daddy" (thinking he would draw a blank or ask something inappropriate) and he said "how did you get on at football Daddy?" I was so uplifted just from a simple thing like that ... not only did he remember DH had been to football, he put thought into it, it was appropriate and asked in a casual manner - excellent! No one has mentioned how handsome and cute our kids are ... from my experience, all the best looking children in the playground are the ones with ASD, they really are lookers!

Bless, big thumbs up for Jordan <'> (she must have to hide a lot of her emotions about Harvey - we have all been there and know how devastating it is to raise a 'different' child). She gets a lot of knockers (sorry for the pun! ) but I think she's actually alright, and if I looked like her, I'd have my boobs out 24/7 ... I might give the big Barbie wedding a miss though but then, each to their own. Isn't she now on about adopting a child with special needs? Great, lets see how many other celebs do that.

Great thanks, brilliant! I wish I lacked awareness of my body size!!!

Oh bless ... horlicks>? Hope things work out!

I phoned them today and gave some poor woman on the end of the phone a real tongue leathering. It hasn't helped my application, or my son, but it sure made me feel better I will try again in a few months, when I actually look at it, my son doesnt need that much more support than any child his age and there are people who need and deserve it more than me (and by appealing I will hold up their applications). I only applied because my Health Visitor insisted, and to be honest, I found the forms really traumatic and dont want to go through that again. Thanks.

Great, what sensory issues should I list down then, which are the most important ...? I think the limited foods is a defo - as that usually shows really early on.

Hi I am writing an article for a magazine on how to spot autistic traits in the under 5's and an account of my personal experience. I believe strongly in early intervention and dx and therefore am writing the article to raise awareness of the condition and of my local support group. I will cover the three triads of impairment but how relevant do you think it is that I mention sensory issues?? I cant find a lot of sensory stuff specifically related to the under 5's. What was your experience? If anyone has done a similar article/seen a similar article or would like to help me out in any way, I would welcome it. Cheers!

We haven't told anyone about our son yet, I feel that if people knew they may treat him differently in a way that would be detrimental to his future (ie talk to him like he is deaf or stupid). Or worse talk to me like I was stupid because I dont think they would believe me!!! I would just advise to weigh up the pros and cons of your parents knowing - and find the right and appropriate opportunity to tell them (which is quite difficult I would imagine). If you do tell them, then I wish you luck and hope that if there are any changes in your relationship, that they are only for the better.

My son used to do it all the time, never saying I or me, just his name. He suddenly grew out it just before he started school at 4 and a half, and has never done it since. I think it just clicked. I never thought he was going to get it, and it is so difficult trying to explain who "me" exactly is (I'm sure you know what I mean). He also used to get mine and yours mixed up - like we would go into a shop and see a toy and say "that's like yours" meaning "that's like mine!" I dropped calling myself mummy and saying "that's mine, I want that etc" rather than "that's mummy's spoon, give it to mummy".

Hello I have just been denied DLA because my son can walk and wipe his own backside!!! They have said "I have been declined at the higher rate" because of those factors. There is something about him being able to cook a meal too (he's 4) besides, I can't cook a meal and I'm NT and 34 !!! Crazy! Does this mean I should try to claim at the lower rate now or have they refused me point blank? Should I just give up now or what?

In the UK we go to Centerparcs (give Longleat a miss if there are issues with mobility - it's hilly!) or get a luxury lodge (he loves the hot tub!!!). We used to do caravans but children (and parents!) can bore easily of the confined space. Hoseasons have some good places in their brochure. Abroad, we go to the states, all the parks in Florida let you queue jump if you let them know your child has problems (woo hoo!) Incidentally if you have a child who doesn't like queues, change the terminology to "lines" - my son can't stand queues but he's ok with lines!!! Weird, but worth a go! Hope you find something suitable and have a jolly nice time!

When my 4 year old helped blow his brothers candle out on his birthday cake, I said to him "now close your eyes and wish for something you want more than anything in the whole world and then blow the candle out" ... so he did ... and I was curious .. so I asked him what he wished for ... and he said "CAKE!"

Yes, yes. yes! My son was 3 years 10 months at assessment and diagnosed when he was 4 years 4 months. It was devastating, I was choked, gutted, crushed, and am still battling with it. I was so afraid to get him diagnosed (all me, me, me) but knew it was the best thing for him. Early intervention meant he got a place in a small pre-school speech and language cluster which helped him immensely, it also meant that I knew exactly what was wrong with him and could cater to his needs more specifically. I educated myself properly to get some depth of understanding and I could throw all my thoughts of denial in the bin - he is autistic, get on with it, and get him some help! The care and assistance he has received after his DX are the building blocks to his future, why put them on hold? I am writing an article on this very subject for a magazine - highlighting the traits to look for in under 5's and the importance of early intervention. My motto would be, "if in doubt, go and find out" .. it's devastating but it has to be done. Good luck with your work.

My HFA son who is 4 is using his imagination more and more, whereas at 3 he just used to line things up, do jigsaws and other games that didn't need to use imagination. We had a play therapist (provided through the HV service) come once a week for 6 weeks, not only did she help him, she helped me in how to show him to use his imagination (you think you know, but when you haven't had to play 'Pirate Adventures' etc for 30 years, it's amazing how much you forget!). Also now he is at school, he copies other children and does lots of pretending. He does a classroom register of his toys everyday now, although there is the part where he lines up all the toys exactly to his specification, if I leave the room and listen through the door, he is actually entering into a lot of imaginary dialogue as well as giving them a right old ear bashing "sit up teddy, you are slouching!" He prefers to play those kind of games on his own - for fear of his brother coming in and knocking the toys over. It's interesting the differences between my two boys play behaviour, when Asa was a baby, a toy car was to be picked up, looked at and then lined up with others, whereas my 13 month old has never even thought of that, to him it has no other purpose than to be rolled over the carpet and "driven". Like with toy telephones, the baby instantly puts it to his ear and says hello, whereas Asa would never have dreamed of that. There is a good book called something like "Lauging Playing and Learning With Children on the Autistic Spectrum" if a play therapist isn't to hand. Maybe give him some more time, the difference between what my son did at 3 and what he is now doing is amazing.

I used to be a Recruitment Consultant (unfortunately that job status is somewhere between being a Used Car Salesman and an Estate Agent!!). Some agencies are brilliant, but most are just out to make a sale, not caring much for the actual candidate or client. A lot of companies are wise to this, and no longer want to pay the extortionate fees (anywhere from 10-60% of the successful candidates annual salary - usually a cut of this goes direct to the consultant managing the account). Internet recruitment has overtaken the consultancies and has really hit them where it hurts. Just remember you are doing them a favour, as much as they are doing one for you. Good luck with your jobhunting.

Yeah my four year old is a computer whizz when I let him be. I hear that it's good to get them on playstations etc so that they can relate to their peers at school about it. On the other hand I hear computers are bad for ASD kids as they should be concentrating on social skills rather than looking into a screen. I guess a lot of ASD kids are going to be IT people of the future. He only goes on every now and again when I let him, I am more wary of him since he deleted all my pics off the digital camera - choked!

Hello forum friends! Reading these forums really makes me realise how common ASD in families is. I have a 4 year old HF ASD son diagnosed last year, and a 12 month old baby son. I don't think the baby is ASD - as he is so different to how my other son was (gesturing, copying, physical ability etc) but how can I know for sure, do I have to wait until he is a certain age? Are there any traits I should be looking out for yet? He seems very social, always smiling - but then my other son was like that. My other son's differences became apparent when he was two (and wrote down a sign he'd seen in a toilet "please use the nappy bins provided" perfectly). As he was my first son, I didn't know he was different until I saw a website about autism that described him perfectly. I just thought he was really clever (my family still do). Early intervention in terms of his DX and speech therapy have helped immensely which is why if I do have doubts about the little one, I want to get the ball rolling early. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but I am sure a lot of you with younger children are always drawing comparisons with your children. Also, I keep getting letters and hassle about him having his MMR - I have said he can have it before he starts school at 4 if there are no signs of ASD. Do you think that is ok? To finish off ... it was my baby's first birthday the other week and I told my older son he could blow out the candle on his cake for him, I said "close your eyes and wish for something you really really want and then blow it out" .. so he did, and I asked him what he wished for ... and he said .... "cake!" Kids!