bikergal

Done : )

Shout

Puss

Nut

Sounds really exciting, can't wait to hear what you've been up to!

Treasure

Hi and welcome! Read your post in resources and found it really positive, and a great read.

Thanks for all your replies Thankfully the meeting has been cancelled due to other issues. I have plenty to think about still and will keep plugging away at things. I am trying to get her out of the house, but this is very difficult at times...but I think we will get there..in time, and with appropriate therapy. Have appointment with psych next month, so that is progress. Think we will approach college and find out what support they might be able to offer her..

Done! Great pic

Sorry, just remembered....when school ask what they can do to help, and they are willing to help and be flexible...what can I reasonably ask for given dd2's current problems? Regular attendance, with the best will in the world isn't going to happen. I did see the gp and she is going to write to the psychiatrist at camhs- the one I can't get to see, asking if he will see her and about some kind of therapy. We have another meeting next week at school, which is filling me with dread

Thanks. I will keep pushing for a proper assessment. I'm not really looking to go down the statementing route...I did this with dd1 and it wasn't worth the paper it was written on and I couldn't get them to reassess. Dd2 is very able and has no speech problems, when well she can at times blend in and be hidden. I really want her to get better. I'm just sad because she is so bright and was heading for 10+ gcse's at A or A* and now is heading for 3 and that's if she's lucky. She does want to go to college but needs 5 gcses to get in. And obviously she needs to be well. Wondered if any home edders know what happens post 16 regarding education at home...would we still be entitled to child benefit/child tax credit?

I really could do with some advice regarding dd2. She's in her last year at school and not really attending very much, maybe one morning a week. She does not have an AS dx but is diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, depression and panic disorder. Some people have recognised that she has communication problems. She has told me herself that she has problems recognising/expressing emotions and she's very literal. She is seeing someone at camhs but this isn't very helpful, just talking. This person has been obstructive in the past, as I have requested an assessment but haven't really gotten anywhere. At the last CAF meeting the head and family worker both turned on us, and threatened prosecution for non attendance. Dd2 is at an independent school which she started in September and managed to get into despite not having a statement. I contacted the attendance officer to let her know what was happening. School is very small, less than 20 pupils, and I know is expensive. I felt I was being coerced into either going to medical needs team or actually deregistering. They have a plan whereby dd2 is meant to go in 3 mornings each week but this isn't happening. Her fears/phobias and panic attacks make it impossible for me to get her out of the house, out of bed, even. We've missed countless appointments because of this. This school phobia has been going on for the last 2 1/2-3 years. That's why she left her last school. Medical needs were involved then but she had to go to school to see a tutor as camhs therapist said she shouldn't be at home . Help!

Hi Mel, I don't think I have anything helpful to add but just wanted to say you're not alone. Dd1 has been to the local teen group, but gets very upset when we get back home because they're all so different to her...in her eyes they're 'normal', because they can talk and chat and help out. Dd1 can't do any of those things without being prompted or having a direct question asked of her, so is effectively mute there. She's not independent in any way, shape or form, and I think you've done well in helping Jay develop his skills in that area. Dd1's deficits (and I'm not making excuses for her), are huge, but the worst thing is that she is aware of this at times. She attends a local college having been out of school for quite some time, and is still attending despite struggling with various things. College are going to put a language/social skills package together for her, to try to help her express herself and her wishes. She also thinks some of the AS teens, despite their speaking abilities, are weird. But this is because they have problems reading body language and telling when someone wants to talk (or be interrogated!) or not! I think life can be tough for teenagers anyway, but people on the spectrum may be even more aware of their differences. Sorry no advice...

Hi! Welcome back! Nice to see you again <'>

I think it may be too late too. I agree with oxgirl, GCSEs aren't the be all and end all. Dd1 is doing her exams at the moment, she also gets extra time and sits her exams in a room away from the main hall, when possible. I let her drop english lang and lit as she really wasn't interested. She has done adult literacy and numeracy level 2 , but is taking GCSE maths. As she has been out of school for a while, she will have to take some more GCSEs at college in September as she wants to do A levels. Dd1 loves science and astronomy, so that's what I let her concentrate on. <'>

Hi, have pm'd you

Bit late to this, but...due to immunosuppression I've only had the first part of the vaccine so far, my arms did ache, the first night was the worst...also had achy neck, headache and nausea, for me the generally feeling not well only lasted a few days. I took paracetamol and that worked for me. Dd2 had the vaccine and just had a painful arm for a few days with a bit of nausea on the first day. Dd1 is due to have the first part of the egg free vaccine the first week in January...

If a young person stays on at school, their statement remains valid, if they go on to a college of further and higher ed, however, the statement ends and a section 140 assessment should be carried out. Have you got connexions involved? They should really be working with you and enabling you to find out what's available. We're lucky in that we have an excellent connexions advisor who is really on the ball and knows her stuff Would connexions be worth a try in your case? I know how hard it is to find out what's available...you kind of run out of energy with all the battling and wading through stuff...or I know I do anyway. Really hope you get some help <'>

Happy birthday Mel, hope you have a great day

If a young person with a statement of SEN goes on to college a section 140 assessment should be carried out to assess level of need. Under Special Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) a college is legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments if they are needed. I have just been looking round colleges for dd1 who's 16 and no longer attends school. Luckily for us our local college has an ASD base with an exclusive area for people on the spectrum to retreat to. Also, improving choices funding would enable my daughter to have a personalised timetable with one to one and a high level of support. Unfortunately, from what I have managed to glean from the internet, this funding is only available in Norfolk, Suffolk, Herts, Luton, Beds, Cambs, Peterborough, Essex, Southend and Thurrock Whether I manage to persuade dd1 to give college a try is another matter...she is not independent in any way, virtually mute outside the home and clearly cannot 'do' reciprocal conversation at all. Can't really add any more to what everyone else has said Hope some of this helps.

Christmas

Well done Tally!

Mumble, if you google' ACAT online' it will explain cognitive analytic therapy far more succinctly than I ever could! I really identified with what you said about relationships and feeling suffocated and finding them all engulfing. I also need an awful lot of time on my own away from other people, though I do like and need other people's company. I have found dx to be a positive experience (sorry if my original post sounded negative, it wasn't meant to be), and it has helped me come to terms with some of the problems I faced when I was in employment.

Hi Lifevoyager, and welcome <'> I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago, when I was 35. Like Bid, I went to the Autism Research Centre, only my PCT was not referring to CLASS so I had to pay privately to see a specialist there. Dx was a bit of a shock for me as I thought I only had traits, but it was enough of a kick to make me go out and take up an old hobby of mine (which I'm still doing). It also gives me the opportunity to socialise . I'm currently having cognitive analytic therapy which is helping me see patterns in my behaviour and relationships. I can identify with much of what you say, although I have had relationships and was married for ten years. I have 2 daughters, my oldest is profoundly affected by her ASD . I'm lucky in that where I live there is a local support group for those on the spectrum. I still feel lonely and isolated, but those feelings were compounded by dx. Oh, and I'm still wondering whether I'll ever be able to sustain a relationship! Hope some of this helps

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