westie

This article may be of interest to you: http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6032834# I have posted this before on here, so some of you may have seen it previously. Take care, D

Hi,please have a look at the presentation made at the latest PDA conference by Liz and her Colleague (see my other post made here) and then consider completing the questionnaire if your child 6 -17yrs has a diagnosis, or you suspect PDA. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just to let you know that there is research going on about PDA at King's College London. They have developed a questionnaire about PDA (with the help of the Elizabeth Newson Centre) for parents to fill out about children aged 6-17. It doesn't matter if your child doesn't have an official diagnosis, please fill it in anyway! If you would like to take part, please go to this link: http://www.autism.org.uk/en-GB/Get-involved/Volunteer/Take-part-in-surveys-and-research/Research-recruit-people-or-participate/Research-projects-children-and-young-people/Pathological-Demand-Avoidance-questionnaire.aspx If you want to know more about the researchers involved (Liz O'Nions and Francesca Happe), here are their staff profiles. http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/staff/profile/default.aspx?go=10942&local=True http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/staff/profile/default.aspx?go=12616&local=True Research is the way to get PDA to a wider audience and more accepted among clinicians, so please do fill out the questionnaire.

Hi Didnt see this thread before I posted yesterday in the resources section about same subject, sorry! I am not sure how to delete the other thread in resources section though - anybody know how I could? The company I mentioned is the same one as you mention on here

oh right it did mention a lead time on these items, explains why! I noticed it as the company is based not so far away from me, which is what made me read more about it.

Was reading another post which mentioned ball blankets, and on researching them I found a UK stockist of the ball blankets (price similar to what was mentioned in the post I saw, however they do a childs version which is a little cheaper (if it is for a child of course) and some other sensory stuff. http://www.kingkraft.co.uk/shop/department/sensory_corner/ An article about the blankets, and their usefullness (it mentions they can be loaned from the company mentioned above) is here: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/Comfort-blanket-helps-Holly-sleep.6668778.jp sorry for hijacking your post, just thought that the links/ info may be useful..

Hi am really pleased you have had such a postive weekend. I found some info about a uk stockist of the ball blanket you mentioned (sounds V interesting!) but rather than hijack this I have posted in resources section. Hope the rest of the stay goes well and he continues with the good progress X

that makes sense to me

My youngest jumps around all the time when on a computer/ WII game, and cant seem to stop for long, even when reminded (where he gets his energy from I do not know!) luckily he is only 5 and quite slim, wonder if he will be doing it when he is as old as yr lad?! It does take time to change behaviours/ responses (to whatever, and whether you have a diangosis of ASD or no diagnosis but some behaviour is becoming an issue for your or others) but I think it is worth putting time and effort in as it will benefit them (or you!)in the long run. Sometimes knowing what to do to change it (a particular behaviour or response) is the issue, and that is when help and input and support is needed. Its not always easy to either find a solution, or persist in keeping on with it and that is when you most need support, I feel, to keep at it even when it seems not to be working. Or to recognise that you have given it long enough and perhaps its time to try something else! sorry this bit is perhaps not directly relevant to your post but I will keep it here anyway save posting again!

voted too, good luck X

Hi, I think assessment for a statement is a good thing at this early age, his needs should be identified, support given and this may help him long term. As others are pointed out help can be reduced if necessary it is much harder to fight for it later! A supportive network of professionals around your child and family will help no end. My eldest son was assessed for a statement this process started a couple of months before his 4th birthday and it was in place for him starting full time reception. He has needed the support and help, and is still statemented now, in Y7. It has helped enormously Have a very happy christmas X

Hi. I think considering sitation that staying there, and giving you the opportunity to visit shortly after, sounds like the best solution so I am glad this has happened. I hope that things do start happening after the holiday period too. enjoy your christmas and take care X

That sounds so hard for you, and your children. I wonder if you could find a family law solicitor in your area who offers a short, free appointment that may help you with some basic advice about what options you could take to help. Others may suggest a helpline which will offer the same sort of advice. (I think someone has already posted some advice, and I think contacting the NAS helpline may also help as they may also be able to point you towards some advice. I haven't been through similar so cannot offer more than that but I hope that you do find a way forward, for yourself and your children to be able to maintain a good relationship. Take care

Obviously I do not know the full situation and story but from what I have read there is the possibility that Lucy may be embarrased or confused and not wanting Jake to find out about her relationship with the girl you mention. She has distanced herself from you because it reminds her of it, coupled with the fact that you know about it (and maybe she is aware on one level of the feelings you had for her as more than a friend) she may on one level fear that you will tell Jake - I am assuming he is not aware of the relationship with the girl. When people break up with a partner and then have a relationship in between and get back with the original partner then it may be difficult to discuss or think about what happened in between) I would think that Jake, if he knows nothing about this other relationship or the tensions between you and Lucy or the fact you have had "more than a friend" feelings for her may not have picked up anything other than out of the blue you have removed him from your friend list on xbox and texted him to say you do not want to hang around with them any more?? I am not justifying their behaviour and saying they are right by the way, just trying to figure out how it may have developed - and I may be completely off track. I would not recommend you tell everyone the things they have confided in you, it may backfire. If you make new friends and they find out they may think you will tell everyone things they say to you in confidence. Maybe you should instead try to speak to Lucy in private (face to face if possible) as the main issues seems to be around her and her attitude towards you, and then you can explain how you feel she has treated you wrongly and give her the chance to explain why she has behaved in this way towards you. After this you will hopefully know why she has acted in that way. She may even apologise and this may allow you to rebuild your friendship with Jake (if you want to, and of course this may also have to be planned but if you resolve things with Lucy then this may make it easier). I think if you do have a counsellor in college then it is worth talking through things with them if you can, they will be objective and not force you to take a particular course of action but will keep what you say in confidence (unless they fear harm to yourself or others). Why do you feel they will psychically attack you? If this is the case then they are not friends and dont go near them but report your concerns to an lecturer, or a counsellor, in college. They will not divulge information about Jake and Lucy's private lives to others, but will be able to offer some advice about your own safety. If it is making you so unhappy at college that is not good, are there any groups or anything you could join to make friends? I read your other post about losing your xbox friends and it sounds like you are feeling quite isolated at the minute, is this situation with these two the start of that or just one more thing adding to your feelings? Maybe you could start an xbox gaming group on facebook, and invite people from your college and others to join and chat about xbox/ gaming and this will meean you can build new friendships with others who are interested in the same things as you? Take care I hope you find a way forward X

Latest PDA video 19/12/10 #8 PDA Education and Handling. "Strategies" latest PDA video about Strategies, very useful and also entertaining, particularly the top 10 tips at the end. Forward on to any parent, education or other professional who works or cares for a child with PDA! videos 6 and 7 in the series are well worth watching too. They are all based on information and tips given in guidelines/ conference and research papers issued by the Elizabeth Newson Centre and other professionals who work with children who have this diagnosis.

Hi what about trying some voluntary work to get a better idea of what you like, and gain some skills to help you get a paid job? Search on google for 'voluntary action' and the name of the place you live to see if there is a service like this in your area, or ask at the job centre, as I am sure they would think it is a positive step you could take alongside still looking for employment. I do a number of voluntary roles and through these have gained a lot of experiences that will help me hopefully gain a job in the future. The roles could be outdoors types, shop work, working in schools or a childrens centre, with young people (though you will have to have CRB etc for most roles and provide a ref. I am sure that the job centre or similar will help with this). Also there are lots of ways to study and get skills to help your job search, check out WEA they offer adult community courses for a variety of things I did two of their courses: 'helping in schools' and 'helping in schools with SEN' and got two qualifications and some experience as you have to do a placement in a local school for 20hrs to pass. There is a search facility you enter your postcode and it will tell you all that are happening in your area. www.wea.org.uk and also microsoft do online courses to help develop skills using their packages like word, powerpoint and excel. I will try and add a link later (my computer keeps playing up I have typed variations on this message about 4 times now and lost it when I have tried to open another tab to copy a link to this message!) http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/training/training-default.aspx link to microsoft learning programmes, you can search for programmes in your area. edited to included this link! Good luck with your search