MarieM

Hi Justine, My son has always had a problem with tiring early. When he was younger it was not unusual for him to have to go to bed at 6:30 as he was so tired. He has built up his stamina now (he's 17) and can stay up later but still takes himself to bed at 8:30 on a school night. He is also Dyspraxic and it is not uncommon with these kids to get so tired. Apparently it is because they have to put so much effort into everything they do. I suppose it is the same with ASD/AS. The mental effort to concentrate etc must be tiring. When he was younger (up to 8ish) we used to put him to bed at the weekend if he was tired or if he needed to stay up late for something. Hope this helps. Marie.

Divide

I agree with Bid. You are being so brave and strong. Marie x

Very sorry Tally.

Very sorry.

Very sorry. I hope she, and you, get all the care and support she needs.

Thanks, yes we did get photos. Bit of a traumatic day today as he actually left his school. Tears and hugs all around! Sad for them all as they've been together for 5 years. He's off to another special school with a 16 plus group in september. It looks good but it will be hard for him starting again. Am sure he'll be fine, fingers crossed!

Today was my son's school prom. He has been excited about it for so long, to be honest the excitement started building after last years Year 11s left. Anyway, we dropped him off, so excited he was very nervous and actually shaking a bit. When we went to collect him his headteacher told us that he had been voted prom king! There he was, drenched in sweat from all the dancing with a crown on his head! He can keep that until tomorrow. One of the girls told us that they had all voted for him "cos we love him"!! Well me and the headteacher had tears in our eyes. He went to bed saying to himself as he walked upstairs that it was the best day, the best prom and that he's prom king. We can't stop smiling! Just had to tell you all. xx

Really pleased for you all. I must be a huge weight off your mind. well done and have a lovely birthday!

I was told by an Ed Psych when my son was about 7 that he would be able to read words but never understand what they meant. He is now 16 and with a lot of work and perseverence he can understand what he is reading. I am not sure if it is connected to his ASD as he also has learning difficulties. He is by no means at the same level as his NT peers but he gets by. We found if he is interested in what he reads it helps. Football and biographies are his thing, Match of the Day magazine, Sky Sports News, Who was series etc. Also school found he came on really well when he started reading the Wellington Square books. I don't know how they are different but apparently children who struggle to read find these better. He certainly did. Hope this helps, sorry I couldn't be more specific re ASD.

I've had an interesting few weeks about my son. He had a new ed psych assessment a few weeks ago and she told me she thought he was on the spectrum. I was a bit confused as he's 16 and I've been told for years that he has both Dyspraxia and ASD. It turns out that he has never officially been diagnosed as ASD by a paediatrician, just its a probability. I have spoken to the school doctor who is referring him for a diagnosis. The thing is he also has learning difficulties and she said it is really hard to diagnose someone as having ASD if they have learning difficulties. She thinks he might just have a "Dyspraxic brain"! Still confused!!!

That sounds just like my son Enid. With itunes we buy him vouchers so that there is a limit on how much he can spend. My son is now 16. When his new DLA claim forms arrived I put in that he is not capable of looking after his own finances. They sent an assessor, who agreed with us. I now have an account for his DLA in my name. I can give him money or pay for things we feel appropriate. It means there is some left!! The charity shops would think it was their lucky day otherwise! Rachel, it really is worth reapplying. There are things your son can't do independently and needs help with. That's what you write in. Just think of his bad days and how much help he needs. Good luck. xx

Hi, how long is it since you moved house and school? I'm just wondering if the moves have been too much for Roo to cope with at once. Hopefully you will find he starts to calm down a bit once he's more settled. I know my son's behaviour tends to deteriorate and his fears increase when he is stressed. Its good that the new school have recognised his needs and you are getting an assessment sorted so thats a real positive to hold onto. Hope it all settles down soon for you.

The same happened with us when my son turned 16. The lady came to the house and asked a few questions. Had a chat with him and said she would appoint me. The form is really different to the child one isn't it? It seemed inappropriate in places as he was only 15 at the time. It was difficult thinking of him as the adult they were talking about. When they come to meet with you you will need to give them details of a bank account in your name that only the DLA goes into.

We went this morning at 9:30. There was hardly anyone there, which was really good. The kids really enjoyed it though not entirely sure my son followed it all.

Hi, you are definately not over reacting. It is horrible to hear what other people say about our kids. I have had a few incidents over the years, but try as you might to ignore and forget it you can't. When my son was in reception my parents went to see him in his school play and his SSA made him sit with his finger up to his lip to "remind him not to shout out"! Even if other parents didn't know he had problems before they did after that. She didn't stay long after luckily. Its only natural to feel a sort of mourning especially if it is the first time you have seen her with others. I still get a lump in my throat sometimes when I see my son with so called normal kids and he's 16. Saying that his manners are a lot better at times than theirs. Anyway, be proud of her and ignore ignorant low lifes like those two. Also stop being hard on yourself, we all feel the same at some point.

My son only did the science paper and got a good mark. He then went on to his high school and at his first parents evening I was told he wasn't doing that well. When I mentioned the SATs grade I was told that schools teach the pupils to pass the SATs exam and that they often don't do well afterwards. Something to do with overall understanding of the subject. The teachers at my daughter's high school said they reassess the kids when they start there and only use them as a starting point. It was going to be really stressful for my son and I wondered if it was worth it. I'm glad the teachers only put him in for the science.

I got it too.

Hi, just wanted to say how proud I am of my son. He has just completed his 2 week work experience and it went really well. I know I should give him more credit but I was really surprised how well he took to it. He was in Superdrug and the staff were lovely with him, even giving him presents when he left. This is a boy who is really quite shy until he knows you but he went outside giving out leaflets to people on the street, (its a pedestrianised area) he said he enjoyed it but that some old lady told him off. We think it was a friend of my Mum's "joking" with him, but he took this in his stride too. To say I'm amazed is an understatement! I realised he'd relaxed there when one of the staff told me he was using a scanner and was talking to it and told her it was winking at him. I just told her to go with his wacky sense of humour! All in all a very successful 2 weeks. He really seems to have gained in confidence. Sorry to go on, just a proud Mum.

I used the naughty step for my son, usually for hitting his younger sister. Then she would sit with him. She didn't want him to be lonely!

Hi. My son goes to a special school in the neighbouring county. We originally wanted him to go to our local mainstream school but, to cut a very long (and not very pleasant) story short, we opted for a special school. The local special school was, in our opinion, unsuitable. It was to become a generic special school when he started. Also the HT said she hoped that by the end of their time there the pupils could "get themselves changed for PE and learn to swim." As my son was already mostly self caring and quite badly Dyspraxic (ie no coordination, terrified of water, will never learn to swim) we decided we wanted better for him. The LEA did not agree the school we wanted was any different. After a long fight we got him a place in the school we wanted but as it is not the"nearest suitable school" as far as the LEA is concerned I have to provide transport. Our county LEA pay his statement money to the school LEA but anything else is up to us. No one has been to any of his review meetings, although they receive reports etc. The school is really good for him and I would not change our decision but it has been very hard at times. So, basically, in my experience if you want to cross borders you have to provide the transport. Good luck with your decision. I know its reall hard.

My son was diagnosed with Dyspraxia first (aged 4) quickly followed by ASD. He also has learning difficulties. I would recommend contacting the Dyspraxia Foundation. There are loads of tips and advice on the website. Also the books previously suggested were invaluable. He is now 15 and, though it took a lot of hard work, has really improved. Good luck. xxx

Hi everyone, My name is Marie and I'm new on here. I have a son aged 15 who was diagnosed with ASD and Dyspraxia when he was 4. I also have a daughter aged 13. Its really good to find this forum. I didn't realise it existed. I look forward to getting to know you all. Marie x