What would you change.

[chill2computer]

Hi everyone

Just asking what people think or feel are the positive traits to AS and the negative traits of having AS?

 

I personally feel the obsession to complete can be a positive trait as I will keep going until I feel It is complete and finished.

Example,

I will not stop or until my son gets the help he needs in the educational system.

 

If you could change any system, NHS, education, what would you like to change?

 

I vote to change GP?s should all be educated on Aspergers/ASD learn or make room for GP?s who have this knowledge.

 

I vote NHS to make system friendly instead of keeping statistics down and preventing diagnoses. An autistic child becomes an autistic adult, early intervention will save money in the mental health system.

 

I vote to change the educational system and open schools for AS pupils because they do not fit the criteria in special need schools and most cannot cope with main stream school. Thus it would again save money in the mental health system as children have learned appropriate strategies to help them cope in adult lives.

 

Please feel free to comment.

[Frangipani]

One point that comes to mind for me thinking about my son over the years, and many I have known over the years on the Spectrum is that not everyone is a text book case. Having schools specifically for AS sounds like a wonderful idea, I wish my son had that, but, I don't think any teacher/ doctor/ specialist can say what a child's limitations are going to be.

 

There is always, a lot of dispute as to which way a child is going to go. Will they survive mainstream etc, I dont like the thought of stereotyping people as this sounds like it could.

 

At the end of the day they all have gifts and unique talents and eventually find there way. Not all, but, awareness is one thing, but I don't believe in putting people in 'boxes' and accepting that they are going to be this or that all their life.

 

I believe in being optimistic. Trial and error. Having AS only specific schools doesnt really help in the fact that they are going to one day integrate with mainstream society.

 

There needs to be a way to work together. Better awareness. But I agree there needs to be a better system.

 

I would be interested to see what some of the teachers on this forum thinks about it.

 

Anyway, that just a few thoughts about it from me.

 

Fran x

[chill2computer]

I do understand what you are saying

 

Most children on the spectrum full through the cracks because the amount of pupils in a main stream classroom. Giving a child a one to one does not work because the children do not learn independence. It is a difficult situation for all to find them self?s in.

 

It is not about stereo typing as everyone is an individual.

 

This topic is not meant to be so serious you can make up some fun stuff you would like to change, I should have mentioned it. Opps.

[bid]

Our personal experience of an AS specific school was that it was absolutely brilliant for my son

 

Bid

[MichelleW]

Giving a child a one to one does not work because the children do not learn independence. It is a difficult situation for all to find them self?s in.

 

This would depend on the child - J has had 4 years in mainstream with teachers trying to make him independent - saying that it is something he has to learn to do. 4 years later he is no more independent than he was at 4!

 

I see school as a way of providing tools to develop the skills to be able to lead an independent life eventually. Yes, they have to live in a mainstream world as adults, but providing them with skills from experienced and trained staff at an ASD specific school would is more likely to work in the long term.

 

For this reason I would like ASD children to have an automatic right to a an ASD or SL&C (speech, language and communication) specific school and pre-school without the need for the time consuming statementing process.

 

The positive traits of my son DS1 having ASD - I'm not sure really as I don't know many children that aren't ASD! He is kind, gentle, honest really good with computers and has great logical thinking (like myself!)

 

the negative traits I would like to change: his difficulty in communicating especially when distressed. And especially when he is being bullied and told not to say anything

 

DS2 is yet to be diagnosed but I'm sure will be when he gets to the "Right age". his positive traits: mmmm still trying to work that one out! he can be kind and loving and when he licks me like a cat he has me in fits!

 

negative points re his traits: again - the frustration caused to us all by his inability to communicate well and also his inability to deal with change of routine, and the irrational fears of sounds and doctors surgeries (due to printer noise!) and I got awfully wet being licked all the time!

[Canopus]

One advantage of AS specific schools is that they could teach the right social skills for successful life as an adult. Most of the social skills acquired from mainstream schools are not appropriate or applicable for life as an adult.

[bikemad]

Id change the doctors n consultants attitudes and also the same with the schools n teachers.

[Sooze2]

I'd change the GP's attitudes. I first went about DS when he was maybe 3 months old ( in 1999 )because he didn't sleep and needed constant movement and stimulation or he would just cry for hours and hours. I couldn't do anything other than be with him at all times exept for the few hours he was asleep. The GP told me I was an over protective paranoid parent and that is the attitude I had from them untill I managed to change practises a few months ago. The last GP I spoke to at my old practice actually told me that they don't deal in metal health so can't do anything.Because of their attitude I couldn't get any referalls at all - luckily when DS started year 3 this year his behaviour in school became so bad and odd that they started the referal process and things have moved very quickly since then. I swear that if the school hadn't helped me then, either I would have moved out with my daughters or DS would have been sent miles away to DH's aunt to live wether she liked it or not. I think that if these GP's realised the effect their dissinterest in any illness the can't actually see has on families they would be horrified

[JsMum]

I was thinking about this all day, but I think I would change the way England see children all together, there rights are constantly ignored and too many times many adults regaurd children as to be seen but not heard, I dont believe children are included enough, everything we build and make is at adult level, no not really in the view of children, were educating too early, so Id change that too, seven, maybe even eight, switzeland have a good insight into children, Id like to see childrens voices been heard and changes actually adured too, Id like loads more children friendly things in England, and the one big thing Id change at the moment is the weather, I think the sunshine can really help children have more fun.

 

Id change the way services are delivered, not having set crietrias, if a child is recieving DLA then there disabled and should recieve support and services.

 

I feel that should be loads more after school and holidays, with support staff and experienced in ASD/ADHD.

 

JsMum

[Enid]

J`s Mum, amen to that! <'> <'> Enid

[Cat]

I would change the minds of the professionals who firmly believe that the only place where children with an ASD can learn their social skills is at school. In my opinion this is rubbish. I would also open their minds to the fact that not all children who are being home educated are being deprived of a social life. My two gained a social life after coming out of school. I would open their minds to the fact that for many children with and ASD home education is the right education for them.

 

Having watched my two son's blossom since being removed from the system I have no doubt that home education works. My sons are being equip for mainstream life and are being taught the social skills they will need to be independent in a mainstream world. The lack of pressure to 'fit in' allows them to be themselves and enables them to learn.

 

So I would change the opinion of those who believe that home education is just a stop gap measure. For some of us it becomes a way of life and is educating our children about what matters - themselves and how they tick.

 

Cat

Edited July 13, 2008 by Cat

[Frangipani]

One point that comes to mind for me thinking about my son over the years, and many I have known over the years on the Spectrum is that not everyone is a text book case. Having schools specifically for AS sounds like a wonderful idea, I wish my son had that, but, I don't think any teacher/ doctor/ specialist can say what a child's limitations are going to be.

 

There is always, a lot of dispute as to which way a child is going to go. Will they survive mainstream etc, I dont like the thought of stereotyping people as this sounds like it could.

 

At the end of the day they all have gifts and unique talents and eventually find there way. Not all, but, awareness is one thing, but I don't believe in putting people in 'boxes' and accepting that they are going to be this or that all their life.

 

I believe in being optimistic. Trial and error. Having AS only specific schools doesnt really help in the fact that they are going to one day integrate with mainstream society.

 

There needs to be a way to work together. Better awareness. But I agree there needs to be a better system.

 

I would be interested to see what some of the teachers on this forum thinks about it.

 

Anyway, that just a few thoughts about it from me.

 

Fran x

 

Gosh, sorry everyone, I just read this back, it was after 1am when I wrote this, in the closing I said I was interested in what some of the teachers on this forum think, oops, that sounds like a bit of a cop out. It wasnt meant to come across like that. I am interested in everyone's opinion about this, not just teacher. "sorry, if I upset anyone"

 

Fran x <'>

[bikemad]

J`s Mum, amen to that! <'> <'> Enid

 

I agree...amen again!!!!!

[chill2computer]

One trait my son has are his obsessions, It has been a difficult time for him to get him to attend school however his obsession with these things called, go go crazy bones has helped my son attend school with no problems lately. He is more interested and eager to attend school to swap with other children than worrying if he will get it wrong when he attends school. Sometimes his obsessions can work to my advantage. Could you imagine if he did not have obsessions only worry and misunderstanding what would I use to get him to school then? LOL

 

I would like to change the colour of grass to pink, only joking too many people would commit suicide if that happened. LOL

[bikemad]

Yu Gi Oh cards it is with my ds he is obsessed by them but again they swap them in school so it can work to my advantage lol.

[Flora]

I would change the depression... in that it wouldn't feature at all! I speak for myelf and my son when I say that.

 

Regarding AS specifc schools: This has been the best thing for my son. Yes kids need to learn how to integrate into society, but while they're learning that their education suffers and vice versa. (obviously not ALL kids but some). Also, as the difficulties related to AS are compounded by the usual difficulties related to puberty, which also coincides with the crucial years of education then an AS specific school for some kids become even more important.

 

At his AS specific school my son is integrated really well. None of them have to feel like a sore thumb because they all share similar difficulties, or at least have an appreciation of the difficulites they have. The whole school approach to teaching social skills, life skills etc means that they can access the curriculum much more efficiently than if they had to have withdrawl to learn these skills, or special arrangements made, which in both cases would interfere with the time table in a mainstream school.

 

My son several sessions of OT and SALT each week, but because they have an extended curriculum, it means that none of these therapies are interfering with his education.

 

Flora

[darky]

There is not much I would change if I am honest. I love all the quirky individual bits that make up the diagnosis, and it is those things that have made me apprieciate everything in life. Loving, honest, unique, all those things I consider a gift all mine have.

 

For me it would be independance. I was thinking about this the other day. My son is 11 and I still have to wash his hair, cut up his food, help him with clothing, my daughter is 9 and I pretty much have to do everything for her as you would a toddler. Even my 14 yr old. Everything has to be like a written instruction manual that has to be explained and shown how to. It would be nice for some independance. It's not for the want of trying. It only bothers me rarely. Usually when I have been busy and I am tired and just want to rest or get on with something, but I can't. Most of the time I tell myself it won't be like this forever. I HOPE!! Oh and for my daughter, it would be nice for her to have something and her not to wreck it by chewing, licking, or trying to discover how it works by taking it apart.

[sadie]

What wd I change? ATTITUDES. Attitudes of health visitors, of teachers, of parents of NT children for a start.

 

Health visitor saw her role as just ticking boxes. DD 'passed' all the milestones even though I knew something was wrong. Consultant audiologist saw my DD at least 5 times before he said she could hear ok....well. I knew she could ....she would stop to listen to the faintest birdsong. Can't they think 'outside the box'?

 

Teachers who knew something was wrong but didn't know how to tell me.....I'd begun to feel like an incompetent mother.

 

Parents who avoided me and never asked my DD to their children's parties.

 

 

What wd I change about my DD?

Not much. I've accepted that she will probably never be independent...but then neither will she fly the nest at the first opportunity. She is sweet, loving, quiet ...ok perhaps a little too quiet . I would love to get rid of her speech defect but hey no one is saying she has to be perfect.

[chill2computer]

I would like to change the law on cyclist, if I drive a car and kill someone I go to prison

If a stab someone I go to prison

 

But if you kill someone on a bike I get two thousand pound fine.

 

So what is the law saying? All you psychos out there get on your bike.

How ridiculous is that!

 

I would like to get rid of all the mosquitoes in the world and I would love to live on the moon.

 

[jlp]

I would love some AS specific schools!

 

My son has struggled with mainstream and is moving to an ASD unit that doesn't fit him completely either.

 

An AS school would be perfect.

[chill2computer]

I would like to change the government decision on the new car tax law. If the government keep pushing up the prices on cars I could be forced to give up driving thus become house bond. I cannot use public transport because I become too anxious; I tried to change my behaviour and state of mind to cope with public transport with devastating results.

 

The government can be so stupid at times, if a mini bus takes twelve children to school there would be minus twelve cars on the road. America uses school buses why cant we! This change would help the rush hour, small step but a start.

If the issue is pollution I am sure there are better ways! Like investing in more eco friendly cars?

 

 

I would change the wok force policy. If you are not a people person you are likely to be kicked out thus they are discriminating against the right to be you, your human rights.

[girl interrupted]

I would want to keep my interests and brain in general.sure I'm a bit weird and off but its me and theres a small minority of people who appericate me for it which I soemtimes fail to notice.

I'd change the feeling of complete anxiety I get in ordinary situations and the depression I believe is caused a majority of the time due to problems I face as a female aspie.

[rocketgob]

I would change people's understanding of ASD's & AS - get fed up with "he looks perfectly normal to me" or "oh my son does that - he will grow out of it"

I also agree about GP's - mine is useless!!

 

I wouldn't change my boy for anything - all his traits make him who he is and I love him just the way he is!

[hedders]

To highlight girls with ASD to have there own assessment instead of relying on boys statistics

 

Listening to parents and believing in them

Multi-professionals assessments communicating together.

early intervention not the wait and see approach

teachers and schools trained about disorders on the specturm

schools following sen code of pratice

families not to be told parenting, expections to high, your worng etc..

 

peadatrican to do there job effectly talk to the children, play with them get an developmental history of parents, send out questions so parents arent put on the spot when asked on appointment.

 

Hope that my dds dont feel even more different as they grow older from my experience and support im giving them and teaching basic life skills also explaining different types of emotions when faced with life hurdles

Edited July 25, 2008 by hedders