lorryw

Can I suggest you ask your social worker for a formal complaint form, all councils have a complaints system and I think that is your best way forward.

I bought our first supply of melatonin whilst on holiday in Florida from a store called Walgreens. It was an American equivilant of Boots and we found it in the health food section. We have bought subsequent bottles over the internet from a reputable source, if you PM me I will give you the web address. Loraine

Glad to hear you are enjoying it. I know what you mean about cold playgrounds, my heart always sinks when Im asked to cover for playground duty during winter. Lovely in the summer though!

Phenergan had the same effect on my son when he was young. I would make enquiries about melatonin when you ring the psych.

Hi Bid, Im so sorry to hear about your Mum. Has your Mum had an assessment by social services. She is entitled to direct payments which would enable her to continue living at home using her payments for a local agency or employing her own staff directly. Just a thought. take care Loraine xx

Sorry to hear about your Mum Bid, I hope she feels better soon. Look after yourself. Loraine xx

Hello Nellie, Im so sorry to learn of your sad loss. I miss you these days, you were always the sensible voice of reason (with a wicked sense of humour). love Loraine xxx

Clever girl, brilliant news!! Loraine xx

We have been to Eurodisney several times with our now 23 year old autistic son. We always went via Eurostar which takes you virtually a stones throw to the park. We also stayed in on site hotels which are within walking distance to the park, no need to negotiate busy transport. We made sure we went during school holidays and avoided public holidays (both British and European) and tried for midweek, it usually guarantees the parks are fairly quiet. We always had a good time and my son loved it.

Have a brilliant Birthday Kathryn Lorainexx

Well done!! You will be absolutely fine in the interview. Loraine xx

I dont know how many of you will remember me and my fight for my son to have some kind of adult day service. I have been through complaints procedures, a tribunal, lied to (more times than I care to dwell on) but just kept going. We have been treated appallingly by the NAS which was almost the final straw but is now water under the bridge. Last week I was actually told that a "pilot" service was to start in January and the set up was to be under my "guidance". They have health professionals on board and staff are undergoing training. I cant quite believe it and Im sure we will have hiccups along the way but at last they have LISTENED. I have been supported by some fantastic people who have listened to me drone on for the past 5 years and managed to not glaze over. People on here have spurred me on when Ive limped on to lick my latest set of wounds and I am very grateful. I also was shown great kindness by a high profile legal expert who took pity on our plight and explained our watertight legal rights, no fees (which are astronomical), provided I didnt reveal their identity. Im posting this on here just to show that things can change, dont give up, arm yourself with up to date information and just keep going. love and best wishes Lorainexx

Have a great time, we went a couple of Christmas ago and loved it.

Totally agree with Mel. All our children are different and someone with empathy, an ability to think on their feet and get to know your son is far more important than armfuls of qualification. My heart sinks every time a new autism training course is announced in my schools staff room. THey are usually run by someone who has no practical experience and staff return with the mistaken belief that if they do "a, b and c" they can change an autistic child.

Clothes pegs..........!!

Love "IT" and "Spaced", also big fan of Big Train. Was the IT crowd up for an Emmy this year, or did I imagine it?

Hhhmmm! The NAS "think differently" campaign sticks in my throat after the way my son was treated by the NAS. He was expelled/chucked out/removed from one of their day centres. He is non verbal, vunerable, severely autistic and 6 months on we are still unable to access any day services for him. We were totally shocked at our treatment as a family, we were offered no support or advice just cut adrift. We contacted our MP and we complained to the chief executive. His reply referred to another young man (not our son) and seemed to be a standard letter. I have since been contacted by other parents in a similar situation who feel the NAS cherry pick. Im afraid our respect for anything the NAS does or says has disappeared.

Suze, they should welcome you with open arms. I know that my school would put you straight to the top of the pile. Good luck and go for it girlie! love Loraine x

I shall be sorry to see you go and hope everything goes well for the future. I must admit I dont post very often now but I have a look every few days just to see how everone is getting on. Keep in touch and good luck with the driving test. Love Loraine

Hi Tally, I agree with Bid, it could be something physical thats caused the change in her. I hope she feels happier soon.

I was never a complainer until I was pushed into a corner by SS. Then I armed myself with a Disability Rights Handbook and set about making a formal complaint and havent stopped since!! Im sure SS departments all over the country are breaking community care laws left right and centre. People dont know they have rights and therefore dont complain. I always complain by email, you then have a record of exactly what you have said and you can edit it before sending. People can often avoid dealing with you on the phone "sorry, they are in a meeting" whereas an email has to be dealt with. I also send copies to whoever I think will be able to help push things forward. The horrible thing is it has made me deeply cynical and and untrusting of anyone in authority.

Id forgotten about White Horses, absolutely loved it. "on white horses let me ride away, to a world of dreams so far away, let me run, to the sun To a world my heart can understand its a gentle warm and wonderland etc etc" Do you remember "follyfoot" with the girl who was forever gazing into the distance muttering "Oh Steve" Thanks for the memories, with my first over 50 birthday tomorrow I wasnt feeling like a very happy bunny today!

Oh that brings back so many memories. I used to love Torchie and Twizzle, later at Secondary something called Tinga and Tucker (not sure of spelling).

Blimey, I think sausages should carry a health and safety notice similar to fireworks. Loraine

I have been in the depths of despair the past few weeks. We are finding it so hard to carry on with caring for our son (hes 23) and social services are just not listening. Out of the blue I had a call this morning from a national carers group. They want to do an article about our experiences, including photographs (must get my hair done). I spoke to a really nice chap who asked if I would be happy to give media interviews if necessary. I am just pleased that I can reveal my local authority as the complete waste of space they actually are and the total lack of autistic provision available. We have been lied to and ignored for almost 4 years and enough is enough.