lorryw

Oh Fran, I feel exactly the same. I always try to be so upbeat and after all these years I am running out of steam... Lorainexx

I know how you feel, my son was excluded from so much during his school life. However, is it possible the trip is part of some kind of end of term reward scheme. Our school takes the "house" that has earned the most house points on a special trip.We also have treats throughout the year for children as rewards. With regard to disability discrimmination they will sometimes cover themselves by saying its a health and safety issue. Its really very unfair.

Have a lovely time!

Just on the issue of experts on autism my own recent experiences have left me decidedly bitter. The one organisation that presents themselves as having a wealth of experience and knowledge have let us down so badly I am in total despair. The National Autistic Society have abandoned us after deciding my adult sons behaviour was too autistic. We were just cut loose with no further help, contact or outreach.....nothing. So much for experts. (sorry, feeling very, very bitter)

This is a really difficult one. From my own point of view I do think it is imposssible to expect professionals to be autistic specific. I shudder when I hear the words "autism course" in our staff room. Most are a complete waste of time, outdated and steroetypical. They also promote a false sense of "we know what we are doing now, weve been on a course!" amongst professionals. Child care issues with social services always promote staying with parents as the first priority. I have been involved in cases that made me weep for the child but they still went home to Mum and Dad. In this particular case I can see so much of my son in that little boy. I feel that the overriding concern of the local authority is money. Im astonished that court cost have risen so high. Perhaps they could refer themselves to the European Court of Human Rights.

Oooohhh Baddad, I love Big Train, always cheers me up! Loraine xx

I have never heard of anyone having an adverse reaction to melatonin. If he has been feeling poorly all day its probably a sympton of a high temperature, it sounds as though he is going down with a virus.If you are very worried give NHS direct a ring for reassurance

Are you sure you are getting all the benefits you and your son are entitled to? There are a couple of great websites including www.yourable.com which give great financial and benefit advice.

My lad was exactly the same. We found that one of those mini trampolines (about 20 quid from Argos) made a huge difference to him. We had it in the corner of the front room and he loved it.

Spitting gets such a huge reaction and so hard to ignore if you are the one being spat at. Everytime he gets a reaction the behaviour is reinforced. You have the ideal opportunity to try and nip it in the bud over the school holidays. I know its very difficult but I would try to ignore it. Take yourself out of the firing line if possible and try not to react. It will get worse before it gets better but without the reaction spitting becomes pointless. Good luck

Good luck for Friday, thinking of you (and know exactly how you feel!) love Loraine

I would say he accepts her as part of the household, much as he accepts us. I would never say that she has made a huge difference to his life because I wouldnt presume to speak for him. I wouldnt allow a dog to have the run of our house, she uses the crate/cage to sleep in and is very well trained. I love having her around, she keeps me sane. Just taking her for a walk makes me feel better

Forgot to mention that although our lad accepts our dog, he is terrified of other dogs.

We have a little miniature schnauzer and I love her to bits. I was desperate for a dog but my son had become fearful of them. We thought long and hard and eventually decided to take the plunge. To be honest I needed something other than autism in my life (had 22 year of it so far!) and I suppose I was selfish. We brought her home at 8 weeks and also bought a crate (large doggie cage) which was an absolute godsend. She sleeps in it and its useful if our son ever has a meltdown to keep her safe. He freaked when he first saw her and it took a little while for him to accept her. She has been brilliant and for some reason has never barked or jumped at him. She likes to sit next to him on the sofa but never gets on his knee, just looks at him. Sometimes he will smile at her and pat her head which makes my heart turn over. He does grumble at her if she follows him into the garden and tries to usher her back in. Shes given an added dimension to our lives and Im sure if our lad could speak he would say she was okay

Last month my son was excluded from an NAS day service for behaviour issues. I wrote a letter to the Chief Executive referring to the current "I Exist" campaign and how badly let down we felt.Today I received a reply. Throughout the letter an unknown person called Timothy is constantly referred to. I have no idea who this person is but he certainly isnt my son!! Says it all really....

Have a great time. We are off to sunny Wales tomorrow. Car loaded with wine and chocolates! Have fun Loraine

Oh, she is gorgeous, so cute and cuddly. Loraine

Oh Lou, I am so sorry. You did the only thing you could have and both children are safe. I dont have any useful advice but my thoughts are with you. love Loraine

Dont get me started on all the composting that is supposedly taking place. My sister is fighting a losing battle with rats at the moment. They seem to have taken up residence in her roof space. The pest control guy (no longer provided by council) calmly told her that the increase is largely due to the amount of compost being produced. Our local council encouraged us to have these wretched compost things but the problem is so few people actually know what to do with the finished product and rats love it.

They have always been very good over wear and tear and had no problems. Motability also covers, AA membership, insurance, new tyres, road tax, services etc, we only pay for petrol

Hi Carrie, We use it and it has been a godend. We have been able to have a people carrier which we couldnt possibly have afforded. It gives our lad space and if he becomes upset he cant "grab" us. Have a look at the motability website which tells you all you need to know (sorry,cant do links, just google "motability)

I feel exactly the same about the phone. My stomach turns over and I just know it will be someone on the other end telling us he is "stressed" and needs to come home form day services.

Hi Bid, Im so sorry I missed all this. I hope your Mum is on the mend and you must remember to take care of yourself. love Loraine xx

My son is now almost 22 but I know exactly how you feel. I think I have spent years of my life either sitting outside his room, in the early hours redirecting him back in to bed or listening out for him. We had a stair gate on his open door way for years. It just meant that he had a boundary and he found difficult to cross. As he got older he simply took the gate off and the noise woke me up.to be honest after a while he didnt really need it, he realised bedtime meant you stay in bed. Getting him to go to sleep was another battle though!

We are currently in a horrible situation. My son left school 4 years ago and we still havent any day service for him. The NAS has turned its back on us and we are now left to get on with it. Our social worker is keen for us to have Direct payments, but who on earth do we get to work with him. He can be unpredictable and self harm which leads (due to mismanagement of behaviours by so called experts) to aggressive behaviour We feel trapped but know that it would destroy our son and us to place him in residential care. All we want is for him to be safely and happily occupied from 9 to 3, Monday to Friday but it seems that is just never going to happen