fay

Hi all, My daugher was diagnosed as Classically Autistic with severe learning difficulties at the age of 2. From about the age of 3 she started rocking on the chair with her legs in a w postition. I spoke to one of the health professionals about it and she said that it was a form of masturbation and a way getting stimulation where she couldn't in other ways. I was horrified at the word masturbation, especially as she was 3 years old!! I found myself constantly trying to distract her from doing it but this proved very difficult. It became less frequent as she got older but has started again over the past year. She is now 9 and I have found she is doing it more and more again. The school say that she rarely does it there and i think this is probaly because she is constantly kept busy. I find she does it aswell when she is stressed. I find it difficult when she does it when we are out in public eg, supermarket or when I have friends over. Has anyone else had to deal with this sort of problem or has anyone got any ideas as to how I can deal with this? Many thanks Fay

Hi, I applied first time after i got divorced in 2000 for help with buying a bed and bedding plus getting my carpets replaced for my daughter Lauren. I have also just had a cheque sent to me a month ago which I requested for help with getting my garden made safe and tidied up for my daughter. I think you can apply once every 3 years.

Hi, I am a single mother of 3 children my eldest Lauren who was diagnosed at the age of 2 1/2 as being classically autistic with severe learning difficulties. Lauren is 9 now also and has never really shown any interest until recently interacting with any other children. Now she has started to take an interest in imaginative play and enjoys having tea parties for her teddies her teacher has said that she has started to tolerate other more able children in her class joining in. For me this is great as it is hopefully the start of some interaction with other children. I have always found it difficult to deal with myself when it is Lauren's birthday as I would love to have a party for her like I do my other daughter but there is no one from school I could invite, as she doesn't interact enough with them. I have just come to the conclusion as long as she is happy in her own world doing what she enjoys then I have no need to worry whether she has friends or not.