shamu

Just a quick thanks for all the messages They mean a lot and it's so good to hear that others feel/have felt similarly to me. Cat - I have wondered about PND but when I talked it through with my GP (who is providing me and DH with family therapy ) she felt that it is all reactive to what's going on with DS. We go there every couple of weeks so she's keeping a good eye on me I must get in touch with the portage worker again - see where we are on the dreaded waiting list and find out what else we could consider in terms of nurseries etc. I did go and see a local private nursery who haven't had a child with a diagnosis but have dealt with challenging children before (DS is more on the passive side which is a worry in itself). They discussed ways they would adapt their set up to accomodate DS which was really nice but I'm just not sure that going to a new nursery in January then moving again in March/April will be beneficial to him..... I did get in touch with the NAS right at the start when I was v fragile - will give them another ring tomorrow especially if I can find other families in the area. It's very hard to go along to our usual toddler groups because each time I do I end up coming home in tears because I see younger children streaming ahead of DS and his difficulties really hit me. Have turned this into another ramble instead of the quick thanks it should have been Shamu

It's still very early days for us but it looks as though my DS (aged 3) has an ASD. He has changed dramatically over the last year from a happy, outgoing, confident, chatty, interactive, socially aware little boy into a withdrawn, quiet, echolalic, socially cold, distant wee thing I am finding it very difficult to deal with as it has been such a shock and so unexpected. I have a conflict of interests as I am currently on mat leave from my job as a trainee community paediatrician. I am constantly questioning myself - how could I have missed it, why has it happened, what's going to happen from here etc. It's tearing me apart and I can't stop crying. I feel as if he has somehow died and been replaced with a stranger DH is amazing and a great support but he never has to deal with both children at once. My DD is 6 months and is so well behaved and tolerant - we have dragged her along to so many appointments over the last 2 months. So I feel a lot of guilt about that too We have so many things to sort out - we were planning to move house but put putting the house on the market on hold when we started the assessment process. So DS isn't down to go to nursery as we don't know where we'll be living in 6 months (ironically, we were meant to have moved BEFORE DD was born - procastinators at the best of times!). He is currently with a childminder but I don't think she's bringing out the best in him. But I worry about sending him to a nursery for just a few months as it may disrupt things too much when we have to pull him out. And then there's the worry that when we move we may not be able to find him a place either (we're moving out of this borough)..... We are not getting any help at the moment - we are still in the "assessment" phase and portage have a 6 months waiting list. I feel totally helpless and like I can't even connect with my own son. It was his birthday yesterday and I didn't even know what to buy him as he doesn't really "get" most toys I'm dreading Christmas as well.... Sorry for rambling but I wanted to get this out and see if anyone had any advice/reassurance or even a kick up the backside for me Shamu

Hi Only my second post but I need to get my hands on some info for my own parents. They are having a lot of difficulty coming to terms with my 3 year old son's probable diagnosis of ASD and I wanted some info specifically for grandparents if it exists? The main difficulties (from my pov!) are that they think he is naughty and I've "allowed" him to develop like this so that his problems are my fault iyswim. So a basic explanation of ASDs and the way to approach young children with an ASD would be great. If this is the wrong forum apologies! Thanks Shamu

Hello I'm new to this forum and thought I'd introduce myself. I have a 3 year old (yesterday!) son who is currently undergoing the (lengthy) assessment process for a probable autistic spectrum disorder. I have a conflict of interests as I am currently on maternity leave from my job as a trainee community paediatrician - you can imagine how difficult I'm finding this James is an amazing little boy but his behaviour has changed dramatically over the last year - he was ahead of all his peers in language and communication and one of the most sociable, bright toddlers I've met. Since around March he has gradually withdrawn into his own world and become a confused but content little boy. Some of this has conicided with the arrival of his baby sister but the feeling is that this is more than just a reaction to his ousting from position no 1..... I will no doubt be posting for some advice on how to deal with a lot of the problems we're facing - it's ironic that despite my training etc I am still in a no mans land at the moment..... Shamu