Debs

seven year !

Hiya jomica For lead professional you can also say Keyworker. I know that a lot of areas are now putting into place this way of working. This professional will co-ordinate the package of care that each child receives, the other key word here is 'integrated' as in integrated support or services which means that the lead professional will co-ordinate across all agencies that have an input into your child - health, social services, education, connexions, voluntary sector. This professional will do as much or as little as you want them to, and also you will have a say in who this person is, it is in the interest of the different organisations for the parent and child to be comfortable with their lead professional as this will aid smoother interactions etc. How the lead professional works is up to each area, this person may already be a professional who is known to you and has the most input into your childs care but they will retain their primary role as an OT or Social Worker or SENCO etc or, as is happening in some areas the keyworker/lead professional is a separate role and will only be a lead professional/keyworker. Within my professional life I have been working with keyworkers for quite a while now and have only had positive outcomes, they know who is involved, where to signpost families, who to chase up etc I see it as a way of taking some of the pressure off families. HOWEVER, it has to be done well and with the right commitment behind it and with the child and family at the heart of it. Hope this explains it!! Debs xx

provocative

"DELIVERING HOUSING ADAPTATIONS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE: A GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE " Chapter 5 Having just looked at it I'm not sure how helpful it will be to you as a document on its own. To others out there needing a separate bedroom because of challenging behaviours/ sleep disturbances then I use it alongside the Disabled Facilities Grant legislation to prove entitlement where necessary.

This is just a quick reply and I will give more detail later. With regards to council housing, housing association property and adaptations to properties there is some information about 'Best Practice' on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) website re; Housing Needs and autism, challenging behaviours and learning disabilities. Basically it talks not only of the impact for the person with the disability but also of the impact on other family members. I have used this extensively when recommending adding bedrooms to properties or supporting families moving to bigger properties to allow the child with Autism/ASD to have their own bedroom. It may just help as evidence in your situation. I have the exact page and paragraph reference for the document at work, if I get a chance I will look on the web tonight and post you the link. Debs x

And they wonder why he was excluded!!!! Am absolutely horrified that I'm not suprised by this story...

Anna Do they have to have an 'official' diagnosis? Debs

I wish!

Timmy (the dog!)

No - mainstream Yes - Special School (LEA)

Excellent, plenty of potential. Wish I lived in Dorset!!!!

Hiya all I'm looking for a good place to stay in the Skegness area this weekend. My son and I are having mother/son time and this is where he has chosen to go for, as he calls it, "our peaceful break"!!! I don't mind how much I pay (well within reason) as long as it has a decent TV to plug his PS2 into and the dining area isn't too large. 'Fancy' food is not an option, unfortunately, but I really want to spoil him and let him experience something different. Any ideas? If you have ideas for anywhere else in the country I would appreciate them also just in case Skegness isn't an option. I've been surfing the net for ages now and can't seem to see anything thatis just right. Thanks. Debs

Java

Alchemy

Boots

Hiya Tylers-mum, My son (9yrs) has motor (facial and other body movements) and vocal tics. His psychiatrist said that it was definately, in his mind, Tourettes. We didn't go for a formal diagnosis as I felt that his main difficulties were due to his Asperger's but that if his tics started to interfere with his ability to function or if other kids started to take the p*** then I would look at a formal diagnosis. He definately has more when during periods of stress or anxiety and I tend to see them when he's not having to concentrate, when he's watching TV etc (Sometimes I have to turn the TV up, but then his tics get louder to match!!!!) At the moment he has a vocal tic like a guttural eeeeeee - I don't think thats a good description and I can hear him doing it as he's dropping off to sleep, he's putting me off my typing LOL He is aware of his tics and keeps apologising and trying to hold them in but in true Tourettes fashion that only makes them worse. I just ignore them, they're part of him and he has only once encountered any nastiness because of them (NT kids!!!) So unless it's interrupting Emmerdale I do nothing

bat

sculpture

My son has always done this too. His T-Shirts have holes in them from his chewing and I can no longer buy him long sleeve t-shirts as he just chews the cuffs and the whole sleeve! He has sensory difficulties/sensitivities and for him this is one of them. He uses it to help him concentrate and to calm down. If you stop your child doing this they will sub-conciously find something else to replace it. I'm sure that there a lot of you NT (!) adults out there that smoke when you are stressed, chew your pens, bite your finger nails - you are doing it to either wake up or slow down your sensory system, our kids do the same but with their clothes I give my son a piece of naso-gastric tube to chew (I'm lucky that I work in the next office to a nursing team so I get it from them) The reason that I use this is that it is very tough and non-toxic. Loads of chewing gum works (but my son plays with this and gets it everywhere!) a really crunchy apple or carrot sticks can give them a really good sensory buzz that is longer lasting than chewing something soft. Also allowing them to play with an electric toothbrush can give them what they need or a facial massage especially around the mouth and cheek areas - you have to be gentle but firm and don't attempt it unless you feel confident about it. I know a child that chews anything even radiators not something I would recommend. Debs x

fossil

frozen

Thank you both, I'm going to have a look now. Thanks again

Does anyone know of any sites that my 9yr old AS son can access. I'm looking for sites that maybe has accounts written by other children with AS or that has tips/strategies for him to read. He'svery inquisitive about his AS and he has read all the usual books (Blue bottle mysteries etc). Just an aside... this evening we were discussing his move to secondary school, I have found one that is residential and AS specific but it is 3 hours away. I'm having great difficulty accepting sending him so far away so I asked him for his opinion (after telling him that I would miss him very much). He just looked at me and said " Mom, I know that you love me but you have to think what is best for me not you..." out of the mouths of babes <'>

Your welcome <'> oops had to edit.... too slow, Jill beat me! I'll try: baby

Good one stresshead!!! Please