LittleRae

Hi KMS Wow, that sounds fab. We did my son's room (AS now 10) when he was 5. Didn't have a diagnosis at the time, but knew he was dodgy about change. Chose something we knew he'd love (dinosaurs) and did it really slowly, over a few weeks - moved him out to do it. So, first day his lovely (red, white and blue stripey, dining-room style, you know the kind that goes in the opposite direction when you walk past it??!!) wallpaper came down, a few days later the blue base paint went on, next week the outline drawings went on (had to give him a week while he checked the details and made sure they were quite correct!)... You get the idea - he took it very calmly (apart from the wall paper going!) and he loves his room. 5 years on, he still loves it, but every now and then he gives this wistful little sigh and the lip wobbles as he remembers his lovely wallpaper.. Would have to say though, that doing murals on 4 walls might be OTT for him. I would give them a wall each, and keept the other 2 free. You can always do them at a later date if he's happy - easier than painting over them it it's too much. Good luck - i really admire your artistic talents A

Hi Amanda/Jools My DS has had similar problems for years - constipation (not going for 3-4 wks at a time, then leaking constantly). We finally took him to hospital last year (2-3 weeks) where they re-trained him - he was 9. When they x-rayed him they couldn't believe he felt no pain, he was so impacted - you could see the intestine swollen and pushed out of place. They put him on Movicol (the adult version - and when he slips back I use this also at home). The problem is, he still does not know if he needs to go. Each day I ask him and he says he doesn't need to. Some days I insist he tries (other times bribery is needed) but invariably once he sits down, we have a small measure of success. He used also wet during the day, but this has stopped. Again, the hospital felt he did not recognise the sensation. We now have his SNA reminding him to go to the toilet 3 times a day & we do the same at home. I think he would not go at all if not reminded. He still wets at night, and is seeing the hospital again soon - they could do nothing about this previously until the soiling was solved. Good Luck A

Mel <'> <'> <'> What can I say? It's tough doing all the running. I noticed from your earlier posts that you weren't too happy with this place. Is there any alternative? I know you home educated previously... Sorry, no advice, just <'> <'> A

Hi Lorraine Not much advice I'm afraid. My DS was just like that at 7/8 years old. He visited a psychiatrist while staying in hospital for another reason and he was so down on himself that she tested him for depression. Like you, we praised and built him up every chance we got, but he never believes these things. It's much better now I have to say - he's 10. We think it improved when we told him his diagnosis in January of this year. Everyone we met commented on how he had changed - so much so that I asked the Psychiatrist to re-do the test. Even she was surprised at the change. He still has low self-esteem but in general seems much happier. He still thinks he's stupid (which he isn't) but as long as he believes he doesn't need maths to be a Palaeontologist he's happy! I did also show him the list of people believed to have AS and who have achieved great things- he shrugs it off - 'bet there are loads more with Aspergers who did nothing...!' - but I think persistence will break through the self-esteem barrier eventually. Sorry, not much to offer. Just keep going as you are. From what I've seen it's 7-10 when they really start feeling different. Almost forgot, I did ask his teacher to praise achievements & in his school teachers have books of certificates which they can just fill in ' well done to X for X'. May help A

Happy Birthday Gordie

Hailey Why do you think we all want to move to Australia!?? It's worse in Ireland - we're always a couple of degrees cooler than UK - can't complain about this summer though, as we had 13 (yes 13!!!) days in a row without rain I saw on a website recently, describing our climate - it had cool season and wet season No hot/warm season Enjoy your winter! - I know we would!! A

Hi Yes, we were recommended to do the same for our DS. Have to admit that though we started off with great intentions, they rather fell by the wayside after a few weeks. Must resurrect them again as he really enjoyed them - It's just the time commitment that's the problem. Definitely the early morning stuff was a no-no for us. It was difficult enough to get him to school on time. Didn't notice any particular improvement in concentration, but then I actually thought it was to improve muscle tone, so wasn't particularly looking out for that! Must speak to DH and start it again - the wrestling is definitely his department!

Happy Birthday - hope it's a good one!

Hi LKS Would it be possible for her to video it in advance - if she can cope with this? Would probably be awkward for her to sit and watch it so she might have to leave while it was on? Would at least give her a chance to change anything she thought didn't come out right A

Well done, and well done Hubby. Take a minute to relax and then I'd follow it up with a letter to the head, voicing your concerns, and say everything you didn't get to say at the meeting. won't do any harm to have it on record. God knows what the minutes of the meeting will say!

OMG - I'm choking here!!! I will forward my doctor's bills.....

They're lucky it wasn't me they gave that report to - I'd have wrapped it round their *$<>#~^ necks! My blood is boiling as I read this. I hope your hubby goes in in a right mood and really gives it to the Head. It also sounds as if they have been coaching your daughter in her answers (maybe that's just me). I'd be telling her I wouldn't be letting this go and she'll hear further about her libelous remarks. Hope all goes well today <'> <'> <'>

Congratulations & well done!

Happy Birthday, hope it's a good one. Looking at your signature, I guess it should be rather than

Love these, Minerva - what are we going to do when your dog's well???!!

I'd also say no unless you can supervise it 24/7 A

LMAO!!! Very funny, but you know the sad thing?.... Most of them are true!! A

Hi Col I know how frustrating it can be - been there! A child in that state is in no condition to do homework. I would try to stick to the time guidelines laid down by the school and after that, whatever's not finished doesn't get done. If even this amount is too much, then I'd go back to the school. After all, you don't have an assistant at home to help. If she is doing the same homework as the other kids, then obviously the teacher is not 'considering her needs' and 'differentiating the work according to her ability'. Never mind lack of parental support, where's the support of the teacher? I'd be looking to get homework - amount, level of difficulty, etc. stipulated in her statement. You could also get stated that if you think she's had enough, then you stop, and no consequence should be suffered by the child. Good luck A

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Well done to her for all the work. My DS is also sought after more for things like quiz teams than sports, but not for group work as although he does all the research and knows all the information, he can't get enough of it down on paper. I think in this instance I would have kept her off school (that'd teach those girls for letting her do all the work! - but that's just me ) I would definitely talk to the teacher about her choice of buddies for group work. A

I say go for it - I would never turn down anything that might help. You can keep a close eye on things and query if there is conflicting advice. A

Very freaky - her face was so real....

Happy birthday you young things!

Hi Kathryn I've noticed my DS doesn't drink very much water. He often comes home from school with his drink untouched, even in this weather - never thought he couldn't recognise if he was thirsty - must keep an eye on that one... Generally it's said that an adult should drink at least 2 litres per day (not easy!). If L is at college, how about providing a sports bottle (containing 1 litre) and making it a regular thing that she drinks before each class? Otherwise you can get a watch which has reminders on it. Not much help, but as you say, quite worrying when the weather is so hot. A

Hi I agree with Stephanie. I don't go into too many details. If my son is going anywhere I usually mention things like 'keep an eye on him. He doesn't like being teased and could lose control'. 'he often forgets to go to the bathroom when he's involved or enjoying himself, so could you remind him every few hours' 'if he gets a little hyper, just remind him gently to calm down' There are some situations where you wouldn't want to mention the diagnosis. Some of his friends parents know, others don't - depends on how I think they would take it. A