Max's Mum

Thanks so much - we have discussed this at great length and have now decided to make changes elsewhere so that we can send Max back to his current school. It's good to know that we can change the named school though, should we need to. Thanks again

How easy and/or time consuming is it to get this done? My son has a statement and is due to start reception in a mainstream school in September. However, due to personal circumstances I am now wanting him to attend a different school which is obviously not in his statement. The LEA have confirmed that there are places available in reception and are sending me out a form so I shall fill that in and return it but I was just wondering whether it will take longer to get him to start because of his statement? I do appreciate that it could take longer as they will need to find an LSA for him. Thanks!

My DS attends a mainstream school and will have a statement in place from September (he is 4.5 and has autism). He attends the breakfast club, afterschool club and holiday club at school with no problems at all. In fact, he really enjoys it as he is pretty much allowed to do what he wants as there is a lot less structure in school. He doesn't have 1:1 although the staff who run it are obviously aware of his additional needs and give him a bit of extra help where it is needed (i.e. at mealtimes and for toiletting issues as he is still in nappies). I'm afraid I don't know anything about transport issues but I definitely think it's wrong that they are saying he can't go unless he has 1:1. Hope you get it all sorted. x

My DS is 4.5 and still in nappies 24/7. He has no awareness of having a wet nappy and very occasionally will tell me that he has a dirty nappy (this has only happened once or twice!). He is in mainstream school with support (due to start Reception in September) and although they are fine with him still being in nappies, I am wondering how long they are going to be this supportive of his toiletting needs. So my main point is, if you have a child with autism, when did they potty train and how hard was it? I openly admit I am absolutely dreading it. I feel that as he is starting school there is now a bit of pressure to get him clean and dry but he really isn't ready and the thought of attempting it makes me break out in a cold sweat! He won't even wear pants or sit on a toilet or potty at home so I have no idea where we'd even start! Any words of wisdom or experiences for me please? Thanks

I just wanted to add that I contacted Thomson via their website to get their stance on this and received this reply, which I found very encouraging . "Thank you for your email regarding our kids club. Please accept my apologies for the delayed response. I can confirm that your child would be welcomed into our kids club. You will have the opportunity to discuss your child's needs with the Children's Reps at the Welcome Meeting, and provide practical guidance. Once you have confirmed your booking, please let us know by replying to this email and I will ensure our resort team are aware in advance. In closing I would like to thank you for taking the time to write to us. I trust the above clarifies your query however if we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us via email or on the telephone number below." Hope this helps someone else

I agree with the other posters, they do sound like ASD traits to me - I was about to say the you need to see your GP to get a referral to a paediatrician who specialises in Neuro-Development and Special Educational Needs but then re-read your post and saw that he's already been seen by one! How frustrating for you . During the statementing process, however, the LEA will seek the advice of all the professionals you mention and your son should be seen by a paed (agaiin) so that they can submit their report (we have just been through all of this with Max) so hopefully you will start to be taken seriously by someone who matters! Don't give up though, a mother's instinct is usually right and if you still aren't being heard then keep at it and shout louder! Good luck!

Thank you all so much for your messages, it's kind of comforting to know there are others in the same boat! I've had a little bit of success with using stickers as bribery to get him to stay in his room the past couple of nights - he's been out once or twice but I've either been returning him straightaway or just saying "Max bed!" and he scuttles back off . This hasn't made much difference to the time he's been going to sleep (around 9pm) but at least he hasn't been up and down the stairs like a yo-yo! We have blackout blinds and his room is pretty dark so it's not the light affecting him I don't think. I have been considering speaking to his paed about melatonin, might do so if it doesn't improve. Thanks again

Hi, I have a 4 year old son who has Autism. He was diagnosed at 3y 3m, so just over a year ago. Again, as others have said, I am not qualified to make a diagnosis but a lot of what you said I can really identify with and my son is very similar. Definitely speak to your HV, ours referred us to a community paed, who then started the ball rolling with referrals to SALT, Ed Psych, Clinical Psych and a consultant paed. Good luck with it all. x

Thank you all so much for your replies, they are extremely helpful and have put my mind at rest for the timebeing. Am sure I will stress out about something else before too long! x

We are having major sleep issues at the moment with our little boy who is 4 and has autism. He appears tired from around 7.00pm but just will not go to sleep - sometimes he is still up and raring to go around 10pm . We've always had a non-stressful bedtime routine, story in bed, lights out and sleep by 8pm at the latest, usually earlier. But it's all gone to pot recently. We just don't know what to do with him. Nothing has changed, but yet he just won't go to sleep. I do think he needs more sleep than he is getting though as he often falls asleep at nursery in the afternoons following a bad night and this morning was almost hysterical when I had to wake him and get him ready for nursery. Am at my wits end, does anybody have any suggestions? Many thanks

Thanks so much for your reply, that is really helpful. The groups are 3-5 and 6-8 and initially I was thinking that it would be unfortunate that he wouldn't be in a group with his sister (as she'd be 7) but on hindsignt, being with younger children (he'd be a few months short of 6) would probably be of great benefit to him and the nursery nurses would probably be much more suited to him than children's reps for older children. Thanks again x

Hi I wonder if anybody has any experience of this. We are considering going abroad for the first time next year and are looking at Thomson family holidays which have kids clubs. I am not the kind of parent to leave a child in a kids club for the whole holiday but it would be nice for a couple of hours break once or twice during the week. My DS, will be 5 then and has Autism. He is pretty high-functioning and attends mainstream school with support. He has been in nurseries since he was 2 (and happily attends before/after school clubs etc) and is fine about being left in situations like this so I don't have any problem with letting him go, but I was wondering more of how the holiday company would approach it? Do they need to be fully inclusive of children with special needs? I have a funny feeling that they will say that he is more than welcome to attend but that a carer must be with him, in which case it kinda defeats the object of it! Does anybody have any experience? Many thanks