lorryw

Congratulations to you both. Wishing you a happy, healthy life. Loraine xx

I didnt see the programme but have seen plenty over the years. I totally agree with Kinda, not much has changed and in many ways things are far worse. Autism has become a mini industry and there are even more dubious people around who want to take advantage of families. When my son was first diagnosed in the 80s we were desperate for help and knowledge and could only find a few ancient books in the library.I clearly remember his doctor telling us she had only come across 2 other people with autism in the previous 10 years and they had both been placed in long term mental hospitals at the age of 6. I think this thought was always in the back of my mind and was determined that it would never happen No one seemed to know how to help him (or us) and we stumbled through, toilet training, coming to terms with him not speaking or sleeping and made it up as we went along. A friend was only saying the other day that in a strange way it was probably easier for us. Every child/adult with autism is so different (a quick scan of this forum proves that) and that alone discredits many of the self help books available. I think forums like this are a godsend and finding people locally in a similar postion is 100 times better than any book. My best friend is a Mum in a similar position to us and we have propped each other up over the years Im waffling now but basically nothing has really changed

Its a very emotive subject. So many parents are desperate and will try anything to find a "cure". Ive been around the block a few times now (my sons almost 23) and I feel incredibly sad when I read of some of the horrendous "cures" parents inflict on children. I was asked to leave one particular website after voicing my concerns and I was subjected to some horrendous on line bullying. I still feel that some of these cures are bordeirng on child abuse.

Hi, We love Disneyland both Paris and Florida, our lad is 22 now and we have some wonderful memories. The best tip I can give you is to have lunch just before 12, after that the restaurants are packed. Alternatively you can book a table at the posher restaurants. On entering the parks you will find Main Street lined with shops, if you walk through the shops to the back you will find a walk through. Not many people use them and they have toilets, (including disabled) and somewhere to have a coffee and take a bit of a breather. Have a brilliant time and say"bonjour" to Mickey for me Loraine x

Its a nightmare isnt it? Its such a huge leap of faith to when you let someone take your precious child out without you. I think you were quite correct in telling her exactly what you thought. His safety should be her paramount concern. You are employing the agency and they should be sending experienced staff who understand autism.

Hi Loulou, Lovely to hear from you again, just sorry everything is so pear shaped for you at the moment. Every family is different and you have to do what you think is best for you and yours. If you think the specialist school is the best option then go for it, start the ball rolling today. Let us know how it goes. Love Loraine xxx

As many of you may know,I have a 22 year old son with severe autism and learning difficulties. He left school almost 4 years ago and we have fought for him to have an autistic specific day service. After a huge battle we manage to find him a place at an NAS day service. We were delighted and felt that all the years of misunderstanding and failure to understand his condition were at an end. We have just been told that his service has been cancelled for the forthcoming future as of tomorrow. He has (according to his review a few weeks ago) done very well and is settling in. He had a blip this week and they requested he should come home early (the service is out of County and he has to travel 40+ miles) We are distraught that the NAS with all the high profile "I Exist" campaign cannot cope with our son. At his assessment we were told"oh, hes just a pussycat, we have had far, far worse than him" I thought they were the holy grail of service providers and have no idea where we should go next for help. Hubby and I just dont know where to turn.

Dont do that, I got a real shock when I read your thread title, my nerves are already shot to pieces! Have a brilliant time, a woman after my own heart. Who needs an oven door? Love Loraine xxx

So sorry Suze, I hope he improves. its so upsetting when our pets are ill.

My husband was 30 when our son was born. A friend rang me last week having read in the Daily Mail that mothers who used flea shampoo on their pets whilst pregnant caused the child to be autistic!

Hi, Is it about future care facilities for adults in Basingstoke?

Hi Bid, I just flcked through teletext and it mentions an audit of adults with autism, �500,000 has been allocated. Loraine

Who on earth would have a go at Hev?? She is a lovely lady,I can always depend on her to say something something kind if I come on here feeling lousy. Love Loraine xx

Oh Flora, I really know how you feel. We have been through so much, fighting local authority, ombudsman, MP to get our son to a specialist day care provision (adult) and I cant believe how little they seem to know about autism.To make it even worse they are behind the"I Exist" campaign and are supposed experts. I am so disheartened I havent been able to post on here about it. I hope Bill starts to feel happier soon and school finally gets its act together and you can all start to relax. Loraine xx

They are sooo cute. Love the idea of them splashing around in the bath. Love Lorainex

So sorry to here about your little duck. Pets become such a huge part of our lives and its unbearable when we lose them. Love Lorainexx

Hi Mel, Ye Gods!! Why on earth do so called "experts" say such things to parents. I totally agree with the others, charts are a waste of space, it was probably 20 years out of date. I can only speak from 12 years experience in a Junior school. Im constantly amazed at the great, hulking, young men I meet who yell "Hi Miss!" and who I remember as tiny little boys.

The problems is that many local authorities are only providing social care to those with "critical" need. Only those with the most severe disabilities will be eligible for any care at all.

I worry about stuff all the time. Then I remind myself that worrying will make no difference whatsoever and try to stop. Works for a little while and then they all creep back. They do say a worry shared is a worry halved, so here goes halving mine. 1. Mum very ill and about to undergo investigative tests. 2.Son not settling in autistic specialist day care I fought so hard for him to get, no idea what to do if they say they cant cope with him 3.We need a new roof, latest quote was for �11,000 plus vat. BUT nice things happening.... 1.Off on holiday to a lovely isolated beach cottage in Wales on Saturday 2.Bought a lovely piece of furniture on ebay which is coming tomorrow 3.Sweeney Todd DVD (Johnny Depp version) arrived yesterday. 4 Desperate Housewives is on tonight The sun is shining!! Love Loraine

Best wishes for the op, try and take care of yourself and try not to worry about everyone else. Lorainex

Snow mostly gone now. Been up all night with poorly dog and couldnt believe it when it started a blizzard at 7 this morning. It started with a huge clap of thunder which shook the house. Dog perked up when she saw the snow and spent the morning playing in it without a care in the world.

I know its not the "correct" thing to say but I agree with you Hev. I have attended so many pointless, box ticking meetings over the past 16 or so years that I dont think I can do it anymore. Last year I attended over 15 "meetings" with a variety of agencies and most had made a decision before we had even walked through the door. Im a nervous wreck from the date the appointment is sent and have yet to hear anything positive. Ive decided for the sake of my own mental health that enough is enough for me Im afraid.

It drive me crazy that autism is thought to only affect children. I suppose historically many of those with autism in the past were simply put into long term mental care institutions as children. I clearly remember when my son was diagnosed we were told that only 2 other autistic youngsters had been identified in the past 10 years. Both had been placed in institutional care (which shocked me to the core). The problem is we havent replaced that care with anything. We care for our son 24/7, we would far rather provide him with home and board and have his days filled with outside activities and enable us to return to work etc. We are working on it but the lack of available services and reluctance to invest in anything has made things very difficult. Its almost as though the powers that be want to return to the old days.

As the Mum of a profoundly autistic 22 year old Ive been asked numerous times if I felt the MMR was to "blame". I always say "no" but every parent has to make there own decisions as to wether to innoculate or not. I do find the "autistic spectrum" a very difficult concept. The huge variations make the title "autistic" meaningless to me. I work with youngsters who are described as autistic and their difficulties are mainly educational, a million miles away from those experienced by my son. He can suddenly become very distressed and without warning run around screaming and banging his head against a hard surface until he bleeds. It is heartbreaking to watch and know that we have no idea what caused such acute distress because he is non verbal. We have had to fight for him to have access to some kind of daytime provision because he is so unpredictable. We plod along living each day as it comes and currently he visits an "autistic specific" day centre twice a week. We felt this would be the way forward but it has been a slow process and we feel that at any moment they could withdraw the service because he is too "difficult".

Im so pleased for you all. You give me great hope that things eventually work out in the end Love Loraine x