Diane

I am not sure what i can add to all this wondeful advice you have been given. I would just like to say Welcome.

I am feeling so miserable for lots of reasons. I am not that miserable that I cannot send you all some of these. <'> >< <'> >< <'> I am so miserable I cannot even be bothered to share any of it, the effort of typing it all is just too much. There is only one thing left to do until I feel that should take my mind off things.

pattern

My DS attends a special school he is now 15. He started a years work experience half way through year 9. His outreach worker went with him and stayed with him one afternoon (3 hours) a week he worked as a mechanic at NACRO and the chap who taught him was experienced with kids on the spectrum. His outreach worker was not at his side the whole time she spent time in the office and he knew he go to her when ever he needed. He did not have his breaks with the others but with her. He managed to stay for a year doing 3 hours a week with this level of support and gained a qualification from it. The rest of his time he spent at home as he was still with the mainstream school although he transferred to the special school at the beginning of year 10 and the work experience continued for a while. NACRO is a charity for disaffected children. I am not suggesting for one minute that this is what she does but I wonder if there are any other such organisations out there who do a similiar thing. I think there is a cafe somewhere in our area which has been set up for people with varying difficulties to give them work experience.

I hope your son can now settle and feel positive that things in school are going in the right direction for him. Brilliant result

Welcome to the forum. Good luck with the transport.

Yes my son indeed is high functioning but his anxiety is extreme. I have at this moment in time a very intelligent child who may never get to apply it to anything as he cannot go out. so I guess it is really important to try and get on top of the anxiety. if it is the ASD that is causing it does one have to deal with that first. I think I am confused a little.

What are you moving on to do? . Sound like you could do with a long relaxing holiday. At least i know who to call upon if ever i find myself needing some protection!

Thanks for this. I think it is going to be helpful.

I did the short creative writing course throught the OU. I found it well supported and all communication with tutor and other students was done on line. They send you all the material you will need. I liked working to a deadline as it made me do it as when left to my own devices I find myself on the drag and not having the self discipline needed to complete what I am doing on time. I am thinking about doing another one but not sure what to do. Like Karen says have a look they have a lot to offer. Goodluck

Not heard of Eskimo kids. Where do you buy it from and how much should I expect to pay? How does it help?

Last week I asked my DS psychologist to refer my DS (15years) to the psychiatrist for medication to help with his sleep and anxiety levels as I am unable at this point in time to give him the support in the way that he needs. I would love my son to be able to leave the house and just sleep at night then he would stop looking like a zombie and perhaps go out. I know it is his ASD that causes his anxiety but I did wonder if the anxiety was not so a cute would it be easier to get him to do things. At this stage I do not know what medication would be on offer or indeed how I would get him to take it, that is another battle i itself. I feel guilty that I have gone down this road as my son is what you call high functioning but I really do not think he is sometimes. Perhaps I have misunderstood what high functioning means. Can someone clarify this for me? I am feeling all in a muddle over this and I just want to sit and cry which will help no-one.

We have done this in the days when my DS would leave the house. It was great fun loved every minute of it. Happy memories thanks baddad. Love to see the photos if you have any.lol

Hi Sooze it is good to have you back.

Yes it is radio I do not know why I said i wished I had watched it.lol. I will keep looking on the net and listening.

Wish I had seen this. I am off to see what I can dind out. I'll be back!

Sadly I come across a lot of parents who self diagnose their children to excuse their behaviour. It makes me cross. It is not to say that some parents are not right it is just that they are so blase about it. For me it has been a traumatic journey and certainly nothing to be laughed about or belittled. I guess there is a lot of ignorance out there as I know that a lot of us on here come across.

I am sure they will not mind if you go on or your own or take a friend. You need to do what makes you feel comfortable and do not worry if you are unable to say very much they are quite used to this so will probably ask you questions lots of questions. My experience with the professional I deal with is that they are incredibly understanding. It might help if you write down anything about how you feel or behave in certain situations as this is away to share with them what yo might find difficult to say. Good luck

bust!

Yes it is definately in the genes. My DH side absolutly and my side just have OCD me I am the NT one who has the wieght of the families problems on her shoulders.

Partnership

Welcome to the forum. LOVE CHEESE PUFFS! YUMMY!!

Made me smile. Thank you!