DaisyProudfoot

Awww cute. Call it Daisy - it's a lovely name, not that I'm biaised or anything

Yay! That's the way to live! My take on life definitely. 'Cept for the meat eating - don't like meat

Paula <'> <'> <'> This is clearly a case of the system failing you and your son and not you failing your son. If he does get his assessment and dx then the health professionals must see that first you need help to understand how to deal with your child and his condition. How taking him away from you is going to be of benefit to the child is beyond me. First when working with social services (child welfare) you have to remember that SS don't care a jot about you and your feelings nor will they listen to a word you say. Their whole intent is the protection of the child and they can do this by various means including you voluntarily signing the child over into their care or engaging police powers of protection - in this situation the police will be able to come and take your son away from you with or without your agreement, your child will then be taken into protective custody and placed with a foster carer where you will only be given supervised access at a special contact centre. Do not for one minute think that your child going to a foster carer is any different to your child going into care - it's not - it's the same thing and on average it can take up to a year to go through the court process to either a) get your son back have your son cared for by other family members ( a residency order) or c) adoption. What you must do is enlist the help of NAS and your local parent partnership group. Is there a relative you can leave your son with rather than him going into care perhaps. How old is your son? I ask this because your child has the right to speak for himself and to say what he feels would be better for him. He can speak to the CAFCASS guardian and so can you - check out the link below: http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/ Keep strong - you've got a long battle ahead. Sending lots of these <'> <'> <'>

<'> <'> <'> OK for everyone out there who is currently feeling like Minerva here's some very wise words from some very wise people Some things in life are bad, They can really make you mad, Other things just make you swear and curse, When you're chewing life's gristle, Don't grumble, Give a whistle And this'll help things turn out for the best. And... Always look on the bright side of life. [whistle] Always look on the light side of life. [whistle] If life seems jolly rotten, There's something you've forgotten, And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing. When you're feeling in the dumps, Don't be silly chumps. Just purse your lips and whistle. That's the thing. And... Always look on the bright side of life. [whistle] Always look on the right side of life, [whistle] For life is quite absurd And death's the final word. You must always face the curtain with a bow. Forget about your sin. Give the audience a grin. Enjoy it. It's your last chance, anyhow. So,... Always look on the bright side of death, [whistle] Just before you draw your terminal breath. [whistle] Life's a piece of ######, When you look at it. Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true. You'll see it's all a show. Keep 'em laughing as you go. Just remember that the last laugh is on you. And... Always look on the bright side of life. Always look on the right side of life. [whistle] Believe it or not my psychologist (who I had for depression) suggested singing this song when I'm feeling down. I don't take the anti-depressants any more and for all the that I sometimes feel I just let it ride on by. Hope things improve

My sister has PCOS - she has very irregular periods, needed fertility treatment to help her have children, is very overweight which she finds hard to control and has severe excema too. However, she does have four children (the last one conceived naturally). It may be best to have the internal scan (unless the consultant says otherwise) if for no other reason than to put your mind at rest and help you conceive children in the future. <'> <'> <'>

When my brother was little he got hold of my dad's hair clippers and ran a nice long bald line from front to back too....and I got blamed for it I pleaded innocence all day until finally my mum asked him to show her how he had cut his hair - so he went and got the hair clippers and did it again! Needless to say I got off with a 'not guilty' sentence!

Paula and your children

I was a carrier during pregnancy - right up to the delivery date - however I had twins and only one is autistic

Last night we visited Martin's high school which he will be transferring to in 2007. My older boys both go there but this is the first time I will be dealing with the school's SENCO. We met him last night and he was lovely. He told Martin that whenever things were getting too much for him he could just come into his room (which is opposite the staff room) any time he fancied or go to the library. There was no obligation for him to play out during breaktimes and that support would be given in class should it be required. Children with AS (there are currently 5 in the school which has well over 1,000 pupils) are highlighted on the register and every teacher has been trained in AS awareness so each knows about the AS children in their group from Day 1 and instances of bullying and aggression from other children are dealt with immediately. My only concern is that I don't know whether this SENCO has come across aggressive AS kids like Martin. The one's he was talking about all seemed very mild mannered and tended to walk away from fights, although this could be due to maturity rather than anything else. The SENCO said that if Martin was aggressive he would probably have to face the consequences but obviously his AS would be taken into consideration. Martin is so looking forward to going up to high school now especially to do the maths, science, history and music which are all his strong points. His twin is too, although she'll be at the girl's school and we have that open night next week.

Martin was doing Year 7 maths work in year 5 and is now doing Year 8 work in Year 6, I think the trend continues this way.

And here's another thing - if you get one of those cassette adaptors you can play your ipod through the car's or home's radio cassette player - simply marvellous - lots of digital tunes and no messing about with cassettes and beats stupid car CD players any day. My older kids have ipods and love them - keep the receipt though as they do have a tendancy to break - or maybe that's just my boys' usage

Hear! Hear! I agree with you wholeheartedly. God help me if the school tells us cheese strings are junk food because Martin will hit the roof! My child is not overweight and loves his packed lunches....and yes we have mini-rolls too. ###### nanny state!

Fran - it is a typical sign of getting older - however it can also be a sign of depression and after what you've been through recently I wouldn't blame you. If it's worrying you get it checked out - if not, then welcome to Senior Moments (I've been having them since I was 30! )

Well done Neil - shame on the school though. If he wants to continue through silver and gold the D of E Award chap can probably put him in touch with local groups running it - many Scout groups run the award alongside their own programme so there should be plenty of opportunities. I gained my Gold Award myself and went on to become an Award Leader working mainly with the Bronze section kids. I later became a Cub Scout leader - all voluntary but great fun. Glad he enjoyed it And here's to receiving his next awards.

Hi Rachel and a very warm welcome There's heaps of advice on here and your friend is more than welcome to join us too. Getting a dx hits everyone involved like a brick but your friend has to remember that her child is still the same person he was the day before the dx. Now she can get the help she needs from all sources - make sure she applies for Disability Living Allowance for her son and that she gets in touch with the NAS to find out about Help! courses - they really are a godsend. Look forward to reading your posts.

Well I've got twins - one with AS and one without. As far as I'm aware they got the same blood supply so shouldn't they both have this condition? Honestly, what will it be next? I reckon it's genetic and that my friends is that. BTW do you not remember when someone linked drinking too much milk in pregnancy to dyslexia.

Hi TN As a former news reporter and now currently a press officer for a national firm I would agree with Bizzie's comments. Because it's an in-house newsletter you'll have no problem getting to read the article before it's published and no problem asking for a list of questions - although be prepared that the PR may wish to elaborate depending on the answers to the questions. Any PR worth their salt will have read up on your condition before interviewing you so should have some idea of your moods and feelings. One more thing .... they'll need a nice photo of you beside your computer so you can be doubly famous!

Thanks everyone! - it was my 40th! But I had so much to do at work - worked overtime virtually every day of last week that it kind of came and went. Still, mum laid on a family party and I went out with my sisters and mum on the Friday night which was great fun. Hubbs is taking me away for a couple of days later this month too

I googled "Nun costumes" for a 'Sound of Music Singalong' - boy some of those nuns had very dirty habits indeed!

My sister got an automatic recently and the only thing she can't get used to is the points when it changes gear she says she's always thinking: "I would have changed gear before you car!" They're great for people with dyspraxia - less co-ordination involved so I can see one of my sons going down the automatic route when he learns to drive. In the USA most people drive automatics, those driving a "stick" are not as common. Go with the automatic - although I understand if you pass your test in one you are not qualified to drive a clutch controlled car, only an automatic but they're supposed to be almost as fuel efficient as a normal gear shift now.

Co and Cam are finally out of the stereo though they've grown on me now - it was Apollo - good album, a bit dark though Now listening to Men in Black by The Stranglers - Hee Hee Hee

Shin Splints - ouch feel for you Not nice Hope you're on the mend soon <'>

We'd love a dog but we work all day and the kids are out at school - it just wouldn't be fair to it really Dogs I want in order of preference: 1 Irish Wolfhound 2. Lurcher 3. Border Terrier

Joshua is certainly one observant, funny young man - when I read the bit about the supermarket, in particular the car park, I was rolling! And the lift! He's answered a question I've had for ages. My AS son always takes the lift while I always think "why on earth would he take the lift when there's a perfectly good set of stairs there." He's obviously thinking the opposite to me It's no wonder our worlds collide so regularly. Perhaps I'm not so aspie as I first thought!

It sounds like you're well on your way there.