bid

Many thanks for all your kind thoughts! <'> Simon...I have never thanked you for 'finding' me on an American site and directing me here! We could not have achieved any of this without this fantastic forum and its wonderful members! Bidx To any new members...keep fighting! In May my son didn't even have a statement, but with the invaluable advice and support of people on this forum we have got this far.

Hi guys! Yesterday I took Auriel to visit a specialist residential AS school. He absolutely loved it, and I was very impressed and happy with things. Next week he is going back to join in the school day and stay the night. The next day he will visit the AS specialist 6th form provision in the nearby town. If next week's visit goes ok, the school have said he can have a place ...before Christmas!!!! I still can't quite believe it all! I will keep you posted ... Bid

Thanks, Lucas...I find what you write extremely interesting and thought-provoking. Do you think then that the severe problems people with 'low-functioning' autism struggle with (no language, bowel-problems, etc) are not part of their autism, as it were, but are the result of comorbid conditions? In other words, that without any of the many comorbid conditions so many of our children have, they would still be autistic, because that is their true and fundamental essence of being? Do you have any thoughts as to why so many autists present with comorbid conditions(ADHD, Dyspraxia, Tourettes, etc)? Do you think these are separate and distinct from their fundamental autism? Do you mind if I ask whether you have any comorbid conditions? Many thanks again, and I totally agree with you about the fundamental role of adult autists in research, etc. Bid

Well said, Bads! Bid

Carol, <'> <'> Bid

Quote 'What has happened to all our entertainers?' The poor old Jester is doing his best!! Bid

Nellie, I have read this book, and there is certainly loads of excellent stuff in there. But what did you think about the author's repeated comment that some children are 'cured' or 'recover' from autism? Personally this worried me. Interested to hear your views... Bid

Oooh, Carol <'> <'> You must still be shaking! Glad it had a happy ending. Bid

Bluejean-genie <'> Involving the police in this way is absolutely outrageous! I don't know enough to offer any indepth advice. Try the Disability Rights Commission helpline on 08457622633...they helped me in the past. I am sure we are all thinking of you <'> Bid

Bless! The Female Inquisitor

I went to see him speak a long time ago, just before he died. He was truly inspirational Bid

I'm off to order it!! Bid

Same here! Bid

I don't know whether this is true for all young people with AS, but when my son was little he had loads of obsessions, some of which were 'old favourites' and others that were more transitory. Now at 15 he has 2, as he has posted earlier. So there is hope!! Bid

Welcome to the forum, Jennifer! I can sympathise with you...my son has AS and ADHD too. There is loads of good advice and information here, and we have even been known to have a laugh, too! Bid

Hi Tess, Sorry to hear of your problems with DLA. Years ago now I had a similar problem when I applied for higher care rate, with the school being contacted (was that the same school who was actively obstructive when we tried for a Statutory Assessment? Ooh, yes it was...) and basically saying that there was nothing wrong with my son!! We lost his DLA and my ICA, which we desperately depended on financially. I appealed and asked every professional I could think of to write to the DLA detailing my son's difficulties. My son's DLA was reinstated, and at the higher rate, too. I would definitely appeal, sending in as much written evidence from other professionals as you can. Good luck, Bid

Oooh! I shall be getting a copy! Bid

This is really interesting...Auriel didn't crawl normally, he did a sort of commando crawl pulling himself along on his elbows. Bid

Hi Spike! Welcome to the forum, and I echo everything Lynn has said...but enter the BatCave at your peril!! You must be reeling from the dx yesterday - how is Melissa feeling? <'> Bid

Hi Lisa, I shall be facing the same problem next year when my son is 16. There are some posts on the main thread about DLA (I think!!) about how a parent can get the power to fill in such things on behalf of a young person. Sorry, can't remember more precise details! Bid

Where is everyone?? We need 3 more people to break the record for users on the forum in one day!! Where's Pooks?? (Baddad?? ) Look for the blue flame... bidx

Amid the furore of The Jester's entrance, no one notices the Female Inquisitor at first... But suddenly the combined shrieks of BanMan, Helen & Helen plc, Lisa and Delete Woman cause assorted guests to turn round. There is a stunned silence. Into the BatCave strides the Female Inquisitor in her scariest Super Dudette outfit yet... She is modelling 'The Margaret Thatcher Look-i-likey'...complete with Pussy-cat Bow of Terror, Hair Helmet and The Handbag of Doom!!!! Lets see the LEA official who dares stand against this! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPER DUDES, SPECTRUM DUDES AND THE DUDIEST PEEPS EVER!!!

Party on down, Dude!! Bid

The Female Inquisitor flounces into the BatCave ...as she had thought, NOTHING had been done for tomorrow's Party! Typical...everything left up to her, as per usual But wait! What is that muffled noise? BRW isn't in the BatCave , so it can't be her bloomers! Using her Super Dudette powers , the Female Inquisitor homed in on a rather dilapidated, king-size, celebration cake standing in the corner. Leaning close to the out-size, novelty bosoms that adorn the top of the cake (sigh...how aesthetically displeasing...) she recognises the partly suffocated tones of The Jester!! Suddenly, his recent disappearence is explained. "You utter fool!", shrieks the Female Inquisitor "I told you to get the cake in, not get in the cake!!" Sometimes she wonders whether it is all really worth it... Bid

Hi Kathryn, Welcome to the forum! And a big welcome to everyone else new too! My son is 15 too, Kathryn, and was signed off from school in May due to acute stress because of the pressure of GCSEs. A home tutor has only just been organised by the LEA. I would strongly advise you to make sure that if school gets too much for your daughter, you ensure your GP and preferably the specialist who diagnosed her sign her off on medical grounds. If you withdraw her without medical support the LEA can say you have chosen to do this and refuse to give her any help! I would also advise you to make an appointment to see your daughter's Connexions Advisor at school. They will be able to put you in contact with the local Connexions Advisor who deals with Special Needs. There are actually a number of Specialised 6th Form Colleges just for students with Asperger Syndrome, which you might like to look round. Some of them do not require a Statement for entry...your Connexions Advisor should be able to give you loads of info. We are waiting to see if 2 colleges are able to help our son. If your daughter doesn't have a Statement I would really urge you to think about this. Don't let anyone put you off trying for one. My son wasn't statemented, and various professionals told me it was far too late to get one (this was in May). But this forum gave me the confidence to go for it anyway, and we are now quite a good way through the statementing process. A Statement is so important because after 16 the LEA has no legal duty to help your daughter, but with a Statement they have a legal duty to educate her upto 19. Sorry I've written so much!! I know how much there is to take in...take your time reading the various threads on the site, and don't hesitate to ask anything! Kind regards, Bid