Introductions!!

[Kathryn]

Hello Tallship and welcome to the forum.

 

Many people here will be very interested in what you do. This is a general introduction thread, so if you start a new topic in General Discussion, and copy exactly what you've posted here, it will be more likely to attract the attention of the right people!

 

Kathryn

[butterflycake]

Hi. i have 2 sons with special needs. My youngest has asd. Hello everyone

[annie]

Hi Tallship and Butterflycake,

 

Welcome to the forum .

 

Tallship - It's always nice to see new members that are on the support side of ASD .

 

Butterflycake - This is a great place to be, if you need support, advice or just a place to let off steam,

 

Annie

<'>

[butterflycake]

Thanks Annie.

[tallship]

Thanks to all for the welcome and particularly to those who took time out PMing me with helpful advice and encouragement. You're a nice bunch.

[Peachyclair]

Hi. Just introducing myself and my family. <'>

 

My husband and I ahave three sons, the eldest of which is six and has Aspergers, although not an official diagnosis- have been fighting for one for years now (since he was thee) but keep getting told we can't PROVE any of his symptoms, he falls into the can behave'normally' in the class brigade.

 

He is however very difficult at home, and aggressive too.

 

We do attend the BIBIC cymru, which is an out post of the one in Somerset. We lived in Somerset until last eyar when I came here to do my degree, so we knew it quite well, and in fact BIBIC had done some seminars for me when I worked for the charity HomeStart and organised training for volunteers.

 

My son is a lively (!!) six year old who does struggle with things like readinga nd writing but has beena ssessed as having the spoken / understanding language skills of a ten year old. Combined with his literalness, routines, and total superiority complex it can be challenging. He is rewarding though, if you can get him alone with no other kids he's excellent company.

 

Our main concerns are helping him learn to tread (he can read some words but has none of the underpinning blocks- such as letter names- and I fear he will collapse one day; he is already in bottom set) and helping his aggressiveness / behaviours. Examples include today is the first day of the

school hols, so all he said for the first two hours (as soon as he realsied no uniform there) was 'WHARRR!' loudly; and son 2 (5) has been injutred already by a sudden fury.

 

We also have big issues with sleep, which the Paeds say is down to bad parenting but I don't agree.

 

So hello. I sound really boring don't I? sorry!!!! Not, I promise. Feel as if I might not be welcome here as no diagnosis, much as we know and BIBIC seem to accept it too. Always talking about 'Aspergers kids often do this....'

 

Happy Easter to you all anyhow, and hope to chat soon

[annie]

Hi Peachyclair,

 

Welcome to the forum .

 

........... and you will be made to feel welcome here . I don't know if you have already had a good look around, but there are many people here that are still trying to get a diagnosis. There's also many that have been told that their child's behaviour is down to bad parenting .

 

Look forward to chatting to you.

 

Annie

<'>

[Kathryn]

Hi Peachyclair, and welcome

 

Kathryn

[bernadette]

where to begin !

i`m bernadette,i have 4 children and we live in cumbria.my third child is katie,she is nearly 7.katie was an early talker and walker and very artistic and musical,she taught herself

tunes on the piano at 3,but if she wasnt happy with her achievments she would throw it on the floor or across the room and scream.any change of routine,or any thing unexpected would cause katie to

have an outbusrt.

in the early years i put katie`s behaviour down to jelousy or"the terrible two`s"and thought she would just grow out of it.iam a childminder,i work from home looking after alot of other small

children,katie has always shown agression towards the other children so when she started nursery school when she was just over 3 i warned the teachers that she has these outbursts but to my suprise

she was absolutly fine,good as gold though she didnt mix with the others ,prefering to stay at the art table for most of the 2 hours that she was there,but when i collected her ,most days she would

charge at me headbutting and growling.when she had been there for 6 weeks she developed shingles,which i found out can be brought on by stress and is unusual in small children.as she got older she

was always comparing herself to her two elder sisters who are 4yrs and 8yrs older than her.katie would get aggressive if they were better than her.she has to be first,best,biggest,fastest

etc.anything less will cause her to scream and become agressive.musical chairs is a nightmare !!

just over a year ago.during a particularly hard halfterm break from school,i sat down and thought really hard about her development,noticing children much younger with much better social skills and

deciced to ask the doctor for help.i was refered to a child psychologist who has been watching and recording her behaviour for just over a year.katie`s IQ has been assessed,being higher than average

but below for speed,as acuaracy was more important to her than speed.

last week she told me she thinks katie has AS but we are waiting for her superior to give her oppinion as AS is unusual in girls.

since wednesday i have been trawling the net tryin to find every thing and anything that i can do to help katie,as i have been told by katie`s psychologist there is nothing they can sugest to help

katie as i am already "doing a good job".so basicly they gave me a pat on the back for being a good parent then waved me off.!

i feel that being in touch with other parents going through the same things will help me alot.

sorry for going on a bit but i found once i started i couldnt stop.

could anyone direct me to more specific info about girls with AS..

thank you..bernadette

[Kathryn]

Hi Bernadette,

 

Welcome to the forum. There are quite a few of us here with girls on the spectrum: my own daughter is 17. Keep browsing the forum, there's loads of information here. If you have any particular questions - feel free to ask us, there's usually someone here who can answer.

 

Kathryn.

[axtl1010]

Hallo!

 

 

My name is Andreas, and I am 43 years old.

 

Accidentally, I came across the idea about Asperger's Syndrome (AS) when I found myself at a dramaturgic rehearsal as a member of an opera choir.

I was unable to learn to dance, and became curious.

 

My mother told me that I probably could suffer from AS.

From now on, I began to read on the internet about it.

The more I read, the more assured I became. Several diagnostic tests on the internet followed, all indicating the same; I probably had it.

Later on, I asked for assessment as to AS at the local autism center.

Recently the assessment was finished, and today I have the diagnosis formally stated.

 

My strengths are music and foreign languages;

I love to sing. I sing in two choirs and am also taking singing lessons.

I play the classical guitar.

As to languages, I express myself well in english, french and italian.

 

Socially I do not grasp much of what is going on between people. As to interaction, I observe rather than participate.

 

As to AS, I like to think about all the positive aspects of it.

I lead a very good life.

To know I had AS was indeed a relief as it explains so well my communication problems.

 

I am very glad to be on this forum!

 

Edited April 13, 2006 by axtl1010

[Kathryn]

Hello Andreas,

 

I've already talked to you on other topics, but I just wanted to say here, welcome once again to the forum.

 

It's good to hear that you now have an official diagnosis, and some definite answers to the questions you had about yourself.

 

Kathryn.

[phasmid]

Hi to both Bernadette and axtl. We are a nice and friendly bunch on here so I am sure you will be made very welcome by everyone.

[bid]

Welcome to all the new members! <'>

 

Bid

[nellie]

A warm welcome to all new members.

 

Nellie xx

[Amelia]

Hi

 

I have two sons age 9 ADHD and undiagnosed ASD, age 3 1/2 ASD diagnosed December 2005.

 

Regards

 

Amelia

[Kathryn]

Hi Amelia,

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Kathryn.

[annie]

A big welcome to our new members.

 

Annie

[bugbug]

Hello everyone

 

I've been loving the forum for a few weeks now and it's such a wonderful relief. I havn't been on any before and its so good to have somewhere you can ask questions to people who understand and don't need a full explanation before hand and to help others. I wish I'd found it earlier.

 

Anyway I'm a mother of two living in Hampshire. Not my preferred location though, have travelled and lived in quite a few areas in the past ten years having served in the Navy and then gone and married a sailor for my sins. So currently near Portsmouth while my hubby is working in Somerset. My son whose 5 was diagnosed at three with ASD, SPLD and various related disorders but is doing really well and currently at a mainstream school with statement. He absolutely loves school and like allot of the children I've read about on the forum his behaviour is far more subdude to what he is capable of at home or on the way home in fact as soon as he see's me or dad or his little sister. He has is up and down days and sleeps very badly as I'm sure you probably have that problem too. Eating is a nightmare. No bitty food, sloppy, touching etc. He has a very small number of foods that he will eat and if he does eat something new he stops eating one of the foods he has been eating only you don't get to know about it until its been served to him.

 

My daughter bless her puts up with an awful lot and should get a medal. She is NT and 3 years old going on 21. She has been very quick to learn how to cope with things but also knows how to milk things. She looked as if she was following the ASD route for a time but around 6 months ago when my sons speech really came on so did hers. Now you can't shut her up. IVE GOT COMPETITION.

 

Anyway I've been having a laugh, giggle and cry over the last few weeks indulging in the forum but mainly I've had to think allot more than before. I have found that everyone can make a difference and intend to enjoy from now on being part of it.

[Brook]

Welcome bugbug <'> <'>

 

I giggled when I saw your username, we used to call my son bugbug when he was smaller,

infact we still do occasionally.

 

And welcome to all new members, this is really a great forum. <'> <'>

 

Brook

[nellie]

A very warm welcome bugbug

 

It's good to hear your loving the forum. It's a great place!

 

Nellie xx

[DaisyProudfoot]

Welcome BugBug and all our newbies

 

You have found a place where you can be among friends and never be judged - a rare place indeed

 

Have fun and learn lots too

[bid]

Welcome Amelia and Bugbug

 

Bid

[yoyo]

Hi, I'm Yoyo - the name of one of my dogs! I have been a member of this site for a few weeks now and am so grateful to all its members for its benefits. I am 46 and a self-diagnosed high-functioning AS female. I live in West Berkshire and I am wondering if anyone has experience of attempting to gain an NHS diagnosis. I discovered AS when I was reunited briefly with my natural father following a most unhappy and abusive adoption. On my first meeting with him he told me that his granddaughter and son of his marriage are officially diagnosed with AS and that he diagnosed himself. He had OASIS information to give me and, as I read it, I realised it was all about me. A feature of my childhood was tantrums and I still become extremely stressed with relative ease. At school I was laughed at when I blew up, now it's not so funny as I am so agressive; I feel it coming so fast I cannot stop it. At school I was always first in class, was described as having a photographic memory, in some ways lacked concentration but alwyas had to be the best, so I made it my business I knew what I had to know. Musically I was gifted and my children and I have performed to a high level - nationally and internationally. My other great favourites were geography and maths. Physically I am extremely clumsy. I like routine and find it difficult toGainfully occupy myself in unstructured time. I survived university on the academic front as I read a subject with lots of lectures and practicals. Socially I was and, to some extent, still am a complete disaster. I cannot make close friendships; my husband and children are simply exceptional. As a child I was the butt of much teasing and bullying as I took everything so seriously and literally, I could never tell how anyone was feeling by how they looked and while this has improved, I am still not very good and rely heavily on my husband to understad things. I cannot distinguish someone's idea of a joke from a lie and this causes me much upset. I seldom go out socially and have no friends. I teach in a prep school and the incredible busyness and set routine suit me well. The social form and rules expected are easy for me to understand. I keep a distance from colleagues as I do not feel safe close to people as agendas and lack of trust tends to creep in. My worry levels are very high and I am permanently anxious about something. Similar to someone on this site I anticipate things going wrong and have a dreadful fear of people close to me dying or getting killed. This site has also helped me explain two very prominent features in me: a diificulty curbng the tendency to overeat and an inability to forget wrongs done to me throughout my life - I remember in such great detail; it's not that I don't want to forgive and forget - I simply have to fret things to death before I can view them rationally - a process which can take years. Few people believe I have these problems as I grew up having to hide as much as I could so it is all going on inside. I find long walks and cycle rides along by the sea, canl or river very soothing. I hope this is not too long, sorry for boring everyone. I wish everyone well on this site and I feel particularly for those who are in depression and having such dreadful problems at schools.

[TheNeil]

Hi,

 

I'm Neil and am new to not only the forum but also the big wide world of ASDs - from what I've seen though, I'm thinking I could fit in here. I'm 31, a computer programmer, live in Harrogate and received a positive Asperger's diagnosis just last week (after much hassles with the NHS - but that's a story for another day )

 

I've obviously been living with AS all of my life but it's only with the help of my wife of 6 years that we realised that I had a problem just over a year ago (I just thought everyone was anti-social (and the rest)) but she's happy with how I am...and so am I. The rest of my family are very dismissive of it all though ('you're just shy', 'you'll grow out of it', 'best not mention it to anyone' etc.) so that's dented what little confidence I have, but there does seem to be a thriving community here and hopefully you won't mind me asking stupid questions, posting stupid answers, asking for advice etc.

[oracle]

Hi Neil

 

<'> Welcome - done the hassles with the NHS myself. I have two sons with ASD it took ten years to get the dx on he eldest - and yes it's a long story.

 

Can I just say that what other think is unimportant in my opnion. My 18 year old son has taught me a great deal and one of the things that he has taught me is that he is now comfortable in his own skin and what other people think or say does not bother him at all. If we within our small family unit are happy with the world then that is all that matters. Relations sadly are often the last people to understand you will hear that time and time again on the forum

 

I actually love David's PMT (positive Mental Attitude) towards his AS which is, he does not have a problem it's everyone else that does Now ten years ago he would have truly believed this and in part he is right I think. However now he understands that we all have problems sometimes himself included - that's progress to me

 

Nice to see you here.

 

Carole

[nellie]

A warm welcome to the forum Neil,

 

Well done on getting a diagnosis not easy to get these days, as you no doubt found out. I'm sure you will fit in here, it's a great place.

 

My husband was diagnosed AS a few years ago at the age of 52, my eldest (27) was diagnosed with autism at 19 and my youngest (25) was diagnosed with AS last year.

 

Ask as many stupid questions as you like, hopfully you won't get too many stupid answers. This forum has a lot of humour as you will find out. Venture into the batcave ( in Off Topic) at your own peril!

 

Maybe we will get to meet your wife one day.

 

Nellie xx

[TheNeil]

Thanks people - you're certainly saying the right things so far and making me feel very welcome

 

My hassles with the NHS (just in case anyone cares) came to a head about a month ago and I was forced to go private. My GP happily refered me to see a psychologist at the local hospital (although she was, by her own admission, not exactly up to speed on Autism but did say that I would probably get refered by the specialist to see another specialist). After a year with no sort of communication I contacted the NAS to see if they could suggest anything. They said, get my GP to find out what was happening. She couldn't do that so I had to contact the hospital directly and it was their response that really got me fuming. Despite having been on the waiting list for a year, I was looking at another 18 months...just for the initial consultation! Turns out that I was 'low priority' so, as you can imagine, I was not a happy bunny. After taking the private option I had an appointment and diagnosis in less than 3 weeks but I wasn't happy at the situation at all - yes I could afford it (Mrs TheNeil gave up this year's holiday so that we could pay for it) but to be considered 'low priority' nearly had me exploding. I know, I'm an adult, there are more important cases etc. but it kind of underlined the general attitude towards ASDs...

 

Oops, I've started ranting already and I've not been a member for a whole hour yet

[bid]

Great to meet you, TN!

 

I've been NHS referred myself, so I'm waiting to see how long that will take!

 

Bid

[mel]

hi there neil and welcome to the forum <'>

[phasmid]

Flipping heck...I look away for a while and loads of new members pop up! A warm welcome to you all and I hope the forum is useful to you.

[annie]

Hi and welcome to our new members

 

Annie

xx

[Sojourned]

*coughs* Guess I should say something now I've started posting.. I'm an 18 year old AS (diagnosed at 13), been lurking on and off for the best part of a year now, but only just registered. I don't have huge amounts of problems with AS nowadays, but this place brings peace of mind when needed as - unlike real life - it contains others I can identify with.

[soni]

Hi there and welcome to the new forum.

 

If you have not already registered you will not be able to post replies or to start new topics so it is worth taking a few short moments to register by clicking on the link above (or from the login screen)

 

We would be grateful if you could take a little time to complete the above poll and post a reply to introduce yourself. Maybe you have a story to tell or would like to ask a question.

 

Go for it. This forum is for you and depends on your input, information and participation.

 

If you have any technical questions or problems using the forums then please feel free to email us at Kris@krism.org.uk or PM either myself or Elefan (forum co-host)

 

Regards,

 

Kris & Elefan

Forum Hosts

[soni]

Hi there and welcome to the new forum.

 

If you have not already registered you will not be able to post replies or to start new topics so it is worth taking a few short moments to register by clicking on the link above (or from the login screen)

 

We would be grateful if you could take a little time to complete the above poll and post a reply to introduce yourself. Maybe you have a story to tell or would like to ask a question.

 

Go for it. This forum is for you and depends on your input, information and participation.

 

If you have any technical questions or problems using the forums then please feel free to email us at Kris@krism.org.uk or PM either myself or Elefan (forum co-host)

 

Regards,

 

Kris & Elefan

Forum Hosts

 

 

 

hi my name is sonia and this is the first time i have been on this site. I myself have a child with an asd and 3 step children with asd's but no diagnosis as yet .

[TheNeil]

Hi Sonia - welcome to the forums and hopefully it'll be useful to you and yours

[nellie]

Hi and welcome to the forum Sonia.

 

Lots of information and support here, I hope you find it useful.

 

 

Nellie xx

[soni]

Hi Sonia - welcome to the forums and hopefully it'll be useful to you and yours

 

 

 

Hi thanks, i hope it will 2!!!

[soni]

Hi and welcome to the forum Sonia.

 

Lots of information and support here, I hope you find it useful.

Nellie xx

 

 

Cheers, hope so 2 soni xx

[Bagpuss]

Hi Sonia,

 

Welcome! I'm Debs, have 3 children, and our youngest daughter aged 5 was diagnosed with autism in November. She also has muscular dystrophy, which was diagnosed when she was 3. I've recently joined, and have found this forum really helpful and supportive. Hope you do too!

 

Take care,