car2 Report post Posted May 14, 2008 Hello all, haven't been on for a while but you may remember me ranting about something from time to time!! Well, since I last posted I have had a beautiful baby boy called Luca who is now 4 months old! A couple of weeks ago we received Dan's diagnosis of ....Asperger syndrome. Im really happy that after 4 years of knowing this it has finally been proven. Dan is ok at the mo but any changes however small are causing major meltdowns. and his literal thinking is becoming more pronounced. I know it sounds stupid but i FEEL he is getting worse as he gets older???? He goes into the juniors at his school in sept and he is really anxious about it. I am too. Dan's handwriting is terrible due to fine/gross motor skills and he is well behind the other kids and he doesn't get any real specialist help, it also takes him longer to process info so that will be difficult for him too. His teacher said that academically he doesn't need a special school, but social and communication skills are poor. Im not sure even with a statement that the right place for Dan is mainstream school ( haven't even applied for a statement yet- but if he doesn't get one he will be majorly behind!!) I don't know whats best for him educationally, has anyone got any advice or experience with similar problems??? I'd be very very grateful!!! love caroline xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JsMum Report post Posted May 14, 2008 Hi caroline, J struggled more into junior because of the social side but more so on the learning side, if your son is behind and struggling then you can request an assessment of his SEN and can share your concerns about the processing issues and how his muscle tone effects his writing as there is things they can recommend like a pencil grip, spersific excersies and other materials to enhance his ability. how about looking into special schools that cater for AS children, or a specific school for AS children and if you contact ISPEA, NAS education helpline they can go throw the process of assessment and statementing. J went throw all his primary years with little specific support now thats going to have a huge impact on his secondary education, he can not read or write independantly and requires support throw out the day, its tragic whats happening in mainstream setting for children with the higher functioning autism because children like J dont really meet any education system except the spersific special schools and they are usually far away, but look into schools locally and outer county, visit them and see what different enviroments they have or the tools and stratagies they use then you will have a better idea what you would like included in the statement. ACE also do little booklets on the whole process of Special Educational Needs even with support J is struggling because he needs spersific support, he now rearly does the same work as his peers, I was a walk over when J was seven I didnt know his rights and I was told coldly he wouldnt get a statement. He recieved one a year later in september it increases to full time support. I would look into schools that can provide your son a tailored education that supports all his SEN including his AS. JsMum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare63 Report post Posted May 14, 2008 Hi Caroline, Welcome back and congratulations on the birth of your new baby boy In only my opinion and experience I believe its worth applying for a statement, whilst our son is academically very sound, socially, social communication and sensory wise he could do with a lot of help. We survived junior school without a statement as his aspergers did not really present it self until the end of year 6 around which time we got a diagnosis. Secondary transision was very poor and the gaps between him and his peers widened and as you say "getting worse as he gets older..." this too appears to be the case, though in part down to entering the teenage years. As you have been able to get a dx reasonable early on, I think it would be in yours and your childs interest to start the statement process. However I will add, its still early days for you and a dx can bring lots of mixed emotions, so please do take time to let it all sink in and be gentle with yourself. Good luck Clare x x x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
