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Monkeypuzzle123

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About Monkeypuzzle123

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    Norfolk Broads
  1. Hello. Definitely Statement - get independent advice but definitely include a Paediatric Occupational Therapist for assessment even if your county (like ours do nothing for children with Autism/Dyspraxia/Dyslexia). We have got advice and had to go independently, we have equipment to help, a computer to use at school and we will get more help now through a better statement (after tribunal). Dyspraxia/Dsylexia are quite common with ASD and poor sensory integration. Certainly needs further investigation and sooner the better - request assessments now via GP for OT assessment and if no service, go privately. Use this for Statutory Assessment request too. It all impacts on learning and in my son's case, definitely affected self esteem at even younger age. His writing is still poor but he has a go now and can use laptop with predictive text etc so things easier. Ask an OT, get SALT assessment and Ed Psych (preferably independent) and I read another post ... the school another..? My son was considered naughty boy until he got his diagnosis and then they didn't want him because he would be better of in an SRB because of his autism. It is real difficulty and you need a school that understands that as well as a Statement.
  2. Hello. I am not sure what your LA is like but here in the East with ours I have heard that declining first statutory assessment requests are a lot more common than granting them - leading to delays whilst parents appeal which then drags on. That was not my experience but I did get heads up on this beforehand. What I would say is make sure you have a LOT of evidence including commissioning professionals yourselves and not to trust Local Authority ones as some have been very vague. We sent in a lot of evidence including written work, evidence of potential harm to physical self and learning, and child's views. Our SENCO at our son's first school (totally clueless and not willing when it comes to ASD) that they spent an age 'gathering evidence' - most of which when it came to Statutory Assessment was provided by us anyway. We decided enough was enough and did the Request for Statutory Assessment quoted our rights and specified clearly the reasons why we felt our son should have Statutory Assessment. The SENCO wasn't happy that we did it without her but she was useless anyway and we have done far better job. When it came to her 'contribution' it wasn't much good but just highlighted their lack of understanding and by describing things they did, it helped. You do not need to wait for your SENCO but it is a good idea to be seen to be working with them/together but tell them why you feel you cannot wait. If you feel your SENCO is not doing the job or not helpful school then those alarm bells should start ringing... you need a good SENCO and head who you can work in partnership with. ASD knowledge and training should be there - ask about that from your SENCO too and see what they say. The need to provide your own evidence we found essential for Statutory Assessment and also tribunal and to keep that updated. We have made sacrifices in order to fund these reports etc, witnesses etc but worth it as it ultimately has led to better statement for our son. Do what you need to do as a parent but do your best to work with professionals and if not doing the job.....
  3. Hi Am not sure how it will work exactly but I presume other form of disability will be diagnosed separately as it was explained in seminar about how it applies to autism only. Whether reclassification happens of already diagnosed Aspergers/PDD-NOS etc,who knows? Could be a costly excercise if everybody reassessed so I would have thought not. I guess we have to wait and see. I hadn't realised that there were more on this subject on this forum but it seems most are okay with change to general ASD.
  4. Hi I am new. I don't know if anyone is aware about the proposed changes to the diagnosing for Autistic Spectrum Disorders in the new DSM 5 that is currently being worked on. I have been to a conference where it was mentioned what some of the proposals would mean for ASD. Basically, this will now become a Diad of Impairments (Social/Communication and Interaction in one category and Restrictive and Repetive Behaviours/Interests in another. It would also mean a diagnosis of ASD but Levels 1-3 (1 = Requiring Support, 2= Req Substantial Support, 3= Req. very substantial support) and getting rid of everything else, ie Kanners Autism, Classic Autism, PDD-NOS, Aspergers, CDD, PDA etc. As a parent of a child recently diagnosed with Aspergers, I am unhappy. There are a lot of support networks for people with Aspergers, and it is considered by some to be a condition alone, a lot of people identify with Aspergers. I imagine there would be unhappiness about the Aspergers being discarded when people are only just getting to grips with what Aspergers is and what features is considered a part of Aspergers Syndrome. Also, I don't know if I would want my child relabelled as ASD Level 1!! Nor, if there is no flexibility on some of the features in the Restrictions/Behaviours it could make it difficult for benefits, ie Level 1 - that's mild therefore not entitled to much. Not recognising that people with Aspergers can have great difficulties, which vary, according to times in their life and circumstances - which could be more disabling for them ie with depression/anxieties. On the postive side, Sensory Integration Difficulties are to be included as part of the diagnosis as often present. THE DSM5 (Diagnostic manual from America) is still a work in progress. Take a look at proposed changes - the idea of simplifying is good but I really hope that they keep Aspergers (even if it is a sub-group from type 1) - give it more time until next review. The website is DSM5.org - look for neurodevelopmental disorders at the top of the dropdown and then go down to Autistic Spectrum Disorders. There is controversy regarding the changes amongst professionals, but hopefully, they will consider arguments for/against and listen - particularly with regard to Aspergic people and their families and the professionals who work with them. Take a look at the DSM 5 website. It is American but it is widely used in UK for diagnostic purposes and when finalised - this will impact on clinicians diagnosing and possibly a re-diagnosing of people. This is not intended to scaremonger but just to raise awareness about what is likely to happen in the near future. I had no awareness of it and it concerns me now that I am aware. I don't know how many people are aware of these proposals other than clinicians.
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