thomastank

To be honest, if I say "have you got a tummy ache?" I think I am putting words into his head so wouldn't necessarily trust the answer. He did run through stinging nettles the other day and have a rash up his legs, he didn't say anything until I pointed it out and said what must have happened. On the other hand I think he can feel some pain. When he broke his leg when he was 1, (long story) he started crawling round the hospital and the nurses wouldn't believe that he'd done anything until we insisted he had an xray. Of course we didn't know about his autism then but it makes me think that he has a very high pain threshold. Sorry, just thinking out loud and am kinda off the speech and language topic I started but I'm just trying to piece all these things together and work out who needs to help him in various areas (or what I can do!) thanks for "listening".

Hello! My son, HFA, 5 yrs has an appointment at school to see a speech and language therapist coming up. Although his speech is generally good, there are some things that he cannot seem to grasp ie he has never told me he is hot /cold, has tummy ache/headache. Would these come under S&L? Does non verbal communication come under S&L? He also gets he/she/him/her muddled. What other non obvious things would come under Speech and Language? I don't want to miss out on any help if he needs it just because he can hold a conversation if you know what I mean? Hope I'm making sense. Thanks for your help. TT x

Hello and welcome. I

Hello and welcome. My son is 5 and has a diagnosis of HFA. He's staying with the new recpetion children too. Second day back today and so far so good, I think he was looking forward to getting back to the routine. Is your son back now? Something that has helped us with certain situations is cartoon drawings, we draw stick men to illustrate certain behavious/situations and show the end result that makes mum/dad/teacher/siblings happy. Does your son have visual timetables etc.? are the teachers understanding? Take Care.

could you try using toy cars/people or something visual that you can do at home and then go and practice it?

Hello, good luck. Looking forward to seeing it.

We got it first time, at middle rate so worth a go. As the others have said there are some help booklets the cerebra one is good. Good luck!

Found it! http://www.cerebra.org.uk/parent_support/DLA_guide.htm

Hi there, I think you should push for a formal written diagnosis if you can. I'm afraid I don't know about Cahms as we have never used them but I'm sure someone will be along soon who can help. As for DLA, she doesn't have to be physically disabled. There is a good breakdown of the form somewhere on the net, it gives you ideas for filling in questions so you can see if you think you might qualify. If I find it I'll post it on.

Hello, I'm pleased its all good for you. Our mainstream school is great too, I've been helping out there voluntarily when I can as my son's TA's are voluntary too so I feel I am giving something back. I hope your son continues to be happy. As others have said thank you cards always go down well, especially ones that the kids have drawn, my son took in some fir cones that he had decorated with glitter last Christmas and they went down a treat (or so they said ). Oh, and btw, I'm shy too but find myself standing up for my son more than I would ever do to myself (and secretly fuming about some Daily Mail article today that implied that giving children with ADHD special passes to 'queue jump' rides at theme parks was wrong and they should be made to run around to burn off excess energy!!!! )

Hello, sorry I tried to post yesterday and then my computer crashed I didn't have a chance to come back!!! My son says the same things in certain situations, ie when he sees a baby, he says "ahhh isn't he gorgeous" and strokes them! I think at some point we taught him that and so he will say it without fail. The parents are always gushing and saying how lovely it is to say that so it just carries on for the next baby!!!

Hope all went well!

Hi David, I would recommend Playing, Laughing and Learning with children on the Autistic Spectrum by Julia Moor, especially for the younger children. It also has a section on free resources available on the interntet. I would be happy to send you the links for you to have a look at if you are interested.

Looking forward to having you back, take care!

Hi, I felt exactly the same. After so long of wanting nothing to be wrong I wanted the diagnosis and we got it. I hope you get the results you want. Good luck and take it easy x

Brilliant news!! Well done! x

<'> Thats brilliant news! My son had similar issues and has the same with the bath plug, if I take it out whilst he is in the bath he thinks he will go down the plughole . . . I hope he enjoys the guinea pigs!!!

Hello, sorry you are not getting any further. The NAS have a list of support groups all over the UK, maybe you could find one near you? I grew up in Essex, and my mum is in Suffolk but have since moved to Sussex. Also it might be worth you trying to get on an Autism course to meet local people who might be able to give you more info? Have you got another appointment at the CDC? Did you have any luck with Portage?

Hello and Welcome! I can totally identify with you, my son was diagnosed with HFA aged 3. He is now just five and about to go into his 2nd year at school. His (mainstream) school have been brilliant. Limbo land is horrible and it will be much better when/if you get a diagnosis. As Nicky has said, keep school informed as much as poss. When my son started we sent in a booklet about him and the things that troubled him (like your son noise, playgrounds, school bells etc.) and things that he liked/settled him. My sons school had no previous experience of ASD and they have done wonders, Good luck with yours! xx

Hello, weclome to the board. I hope you get the help and support you are looking for on here. Good luck with your son's assessment.

Hi, I'm another positive for mainstream (so far!). My son is 5, just finishing reception. He has achieved an enormous amount academically, from not knowing any letter sounds at the beginning of the year to the best reader in the class. Also the highest at 'maths'. He doesn't have a statement but receives a huge amount of support and virtually has his own TA. All the staff have been given Autism training. He struggles socially but is normally taken aside and children play with him in smaller groups. 'Lessons' are also in small groups on ability rather than a teacher teaching the whole class. He will stay in reception another year so to give him a chance to improve his playing skills etc. He is agressive, hits, kicks and has bitten his teacher on occasions but has improved enormously. I'm not saying he will always be in mainstream, I know he will find it harder as he gets older, both academically and socially but at the moment I am confident he is in the right place. I have a great deal of support from the staff, I work voluntarily one morning, partly because I like it but partly because I can see my son and know exactly how he is getting on and keep the home/school support consistant. Good luck with your school, I hope you are as lucky as I have been.

Hello, and welcome. I am glad you are getting support from school, my 5 yr old son has a very good school too - his teacher is amazing. I'm sorry about the bullying but as you say, once the other children know more it might make it easier for them to understand. Hope you find all the help and advice you need here. Good luck

Hi Lisa, Welcome. My son was diagnosed last year when he was 4. I struggle with his behaviour too but he has made huge improvements this year. Have you been told about any strategies to help your son such as visual timetables and giving him more warning when changing activities etc./help on identifying what triggers the behaviour? Holiday's are often harder due to lack of structure. I don't know if it applies in Scotland but ask your health visitor if Portage is available in your area, it is a pre-school service where someone will come to your home and give you advice, it would be worth it even if you only had one or two sessions before your son started school. I too was very worried about my son starting school, it turns out that his school is fantastic and his teacher has made it her mission to attend every possible course on Autism to help my son. I hope you are as lucky as I have been. Good luck, life does (in my experience) get better with time but its a lot to take in at first.

Hello, welcome and good luck with your assessment.