bid

Actually, my son had two fantastic consultants at CAMHS from the age of 6 to 16, who helped all of us hugely, including his siblings. I'm sorry you have had a bad experience, but please don't tell 'everyone' they should stay away from CAMHS! Bid

Hi Brian, I'm an adult with AS. I found I couldn't manage the multi-tasking involved in driving a manual, but had no problems learning in an automatic. There seems to be a really silly prejudice against automatics. What matters is becoming independent, so I would say encourage people to consider an automatic rather than struggling on with a manual, which can really undermine confidence. I found I was getting dreadful headaches just through stress when I was learning in a manual, but was on top of the world after my first lesson in an automatic. I would also suggest considering visual aids. For example, I needed an actual map of the town where I learnt to drive, as just driving round it wasn't enough for me to learn the various routes. I needed to be able to see them on paper to understand and learn them. Bid

It seems a bit of a generalisation to me I've worked with children and young people across the spectrum for nearly 7 years, and I can only think of two with profound autism who I never saw laugh. Of those people in my own life with AS, I only know of one who I would describe as 'dour'...best quote: 'Your comments are quite humourous really!' Bid

Well, I laugh, a lot! Bid

Oh Tally, I think you have shown great dignity and wisdom through this dreadful time <'> <'> I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible in America. Bid <'>

Good luck! Bid

Married for 18 years and with DH for nearly 20 here My dad was identified as having HFA/AS at the end of his life when he had various mental health assessments due to failing health...and my parents were married for over 50 years And I think it's great to hear positive stories...I get so fed up reading about how rubbish those of us with AS are at relationships and how we make our OH's lives a misery, etc, etc, etc!! Bid

Hi FD, Just to go back to your point about stating you thought you had AS on a form, and then feeling this was disregarded... Rightly or wrongly, I'm afraid that this will most likely happen until you can either say you have been referred for assessment or that you have a formal dx. Even then, I have had the experience in A&E of being quizzed about who diagnosed me (I have an NHS dx). I can't remember whether you have started the assessment process, but it really is the only way to be taken more seriously I'm afraid. To be honest, I think at college you would have a more positive response if you briefly outlined your specific difficulties rather than saying you think you have AS. Bid

Hi Jeanne, It really sounds as though they are very sensitive and pro-active towards Glen's needs Have a lovely weekend! Bid

Have you looked at Safe-space beds? http://www.safespaces.co.uk/ Bid

I agree with Kazzen. Having been in a similar situation to you, we really did 'just know' when we visited the school that was right for my son. You need to go narrow down the field based on all the things that Sally has suggested, then visit your short list and see how you feel about each one. Good luck! I can remember I felt overwhelmed with the responsibilty of having to make such a choice. Bid

I have AS, so I don't understand the question... Mwahahahaharrrr!! Bid

Hi Misha, You say your friend is a doctor. A quick observation would be that if she is working somewhere like a research facility for example, then certain adjustments would be entirely reasonable and practicable (for example, written instructions rather than verbal). However, if she is working somewhere like A&E, and for example struggles with the fact that everything is chaotic, with no set routine and life and death decisions need to be made very quickly, then I don't think it is a reasonable adjustment to challenge the fundamental nature of the job because of her AS. I would agree with the others that this is an area that needs specialist legal advice. Bid

Hi Tally, I honestly think it's best to be straightforward and business-like. Just say they MOT'd and serviced your car last week, but now these faults have appeared, plus the key is broken, and you would like things to be sorted out. TBH, no bloke would ever say they were disappointed. You don't have to be rude or aggressive. But please don't forget you have paid them to do something, and they have messed up...they should be apologising to you! My advice would be to be business-like, and not use any words like 'disappointed', because that may come across as a bit emotional. Good luck! Bid

We have had 9 or so Meets over the years, a couple 'oop north' I think and the rest in or near London. Three were large affairs, to which families came, the others tended to be smaller groups of individuals. It was all very normal: people chatting, having a picnic/pizza lunch, mooching round shops and market stalls, getting to put faces to names. Bid

Oooh, I did that too Mumble...actually one of the yummy student-boucers was my boyfriend at the time I liked stamping the backs of hands, plus listening to the gig for free!! I also worked in the refectory kitchen, because you got a free evening meal, but that wasn't as much fun... Kathryn, I can still remember how excited I was buying the bits and bobs for going off to uni...I still use the tray my mum bought for me Enjoy! <'> Bid

That's why I don't understand any of it, Mumble! Bid

Ahh now, that is what we all said during the 'what goes in the first aid box' interactive white board quiz! But no, legally you have to have 6 safety pins of different sizes in your first aid box, with the proviso that you risk assess for suitability for your chosen service user! Bid

Just to muddy the waters further... Together with my DD's primary school we all agreed a medic alert necklace wasn't a good idea, because of the obvious risks attached to a metal chain, etc. But there was never any suggestion that the nylon strap/velcro sports bracelet version would pose any risk. Mind you, yesterday at my Emergency First Aid at Work Refresher I learnt that I need to risk assess the safety pins in the Night Room first aid box Bid

Multiple post!!

Doh, forgot about that! And they all roll out of school at 3.30 too!! Lazy s*ds!! Bid

I don't think that's very fair SSS! Teachers are humans, who can sometimes make mistakes, but the vast majority actually go into teaching because they like kids and are enthusiastic about their subject. Bid

We had a bad experience with my eldest son's mainstream secondary school, but we haven't let it colour our opinion of all schools or all teachers. Logically, you could say that teachers are no more likely to lie than parents or children. The vast majority of teachers go into teaching because they like kids and are enthusiastic about their subject. Bid

Hmmm, good point...hadn't thought about it like that. Bid

Hi Nathan, Sorry, but I'm completely confused! I don't understand if you had an NHS referral, why you were then asked to pay?? And in all honesty, I would feel very uncomfortable about any kind of 'diagnosis', NHS or private, that was based on one appointment alone; it should be an assessment process. Were your parent/s involved in this assessment at all, as it is important that a clear picture of your childhood development is part of the whole process. Bid