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Annea

At Last

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As some of you may know, I have a 15 yr old daughter who was dagnosed with A/S 5 yrs ago.

My middle daughter has a few A/S traits but copes really well, and I have never felt the need to get her assessed, my youngest daughter aged 13 however has lots of problems and has for a number of years.

Some of the problems she has cause considerable distress to her, but because she has never had a diagnosis I have been banging my head on the wall especially regarding education.

 

Today I have finally had the verbal report of a recent Assessment with Child Psychiatrist and Psychologist who have confirmed that DD3 does in deed have an ASD. I do not have an indication yet as to what form this has taken but It is such a relief that i know that I can now hold my head up at school and insist they take me seriously! To date they just give me 'that look' and told me that I am seeing problems that just don't exist!

 

So off now to request a statutory assessment.. but first I need to have a bit of a cry.... then take a deep breath....

 

 

Can I ask how many of you on here have two or three children on the spectrum?

 

 

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We have a hat-trick!

 

It's really weird you posting this today - we saw paediatricians this morning about DS3, who they also now believe to be on the spectrum...

 

Both his older brothers have autism; DS1 is 12 (Asperger's) and DS2 is 10.

 

The paeds are not clear yet where DS3 'is' on the spectrum - he's seven and a half - but he is exceptionally bright and clever and this, for him, masks things. There has been a bit of a question mark over him since he was little, mostly in terms of ADHD. The appointment today was for a long overdue review and because school has expressed some concerns (unusual for us to have a school that does this!!).

 

In the past I've often wondered if he had an ASD, rather than ADHD, but found he was so different to his two older brothers in many ways that it didn't seem to fit. Having said that, DS1 and DS2 are also extremelly different to one another, so why should I expect there to be only two models of autism, really??!!

 

DH and I weren't really surprised, but I do have to admit to feeling a bit funny about it as the day's gone on. My experience with DS1 is that his difficulties can also be well masked, and that this has in effect caused him a great many problems, mainly because he doesn't get the support and understanding that he requires. Currently his secondary school are dismissing his issues and saying he doesn't need his Statement... even the EP is up in arms about that. So I do wonder how things will be in the future for DS3, who is obviously very high functioning.

 

Feel a bit wobbly now, so sorry if this is a little incoherent, I might make more sense in a couple of days!

 

Annea, lots of >:D<<'> >:D< >:D<<'> >:D< >:D<<'>

 

Lizzie xx

Edited by BusyLizzie100

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Thanks Lizzie,

 

I know how you feel about the mixed emotions... it's a mixture of relief disbelief and shock with a healthy dose of satisfaction that I am not mad!

 

I have a feeling the diagnosis might lean more toward hugh functioning Autism, my eldest DD is very anxious, very bright and totally different from her, where as DD3 is quite destructive, aggressive, very loud, brash and soically very immature...

 

It's tough but I will fight for her anyway.....

 

My son... has various problems too but is yet to be assessed. Again he is totally different, I think he too might have high functioning autism but with ADHD but i'm trying desperately not to self diagnose him and leave it for the professionals....

 

I am crying laughing here though because as I was just writing that last sentence I turned to watch him and he was having the most animated conversation with no one in particular whilst laughing at his own jokes.... Isn't a colourful life we lead :)

 

Good luck with your own issues.

 

xxxx

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Ive got the opposite both parents on the spectrum, my dad was a bullying nasty asperger and is now dead, my mum is a more naive asperger but shes in denial.

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Hi Lizzie :)

 

I'm glad your daughter has finally got a diagnosis and is on her way to getting some much needed help. I think sometimes us girls slip through the system and get labelled as having mental health issues, or no one noticing that there's a problem at all.

 

Both myself and my youngest brother have Aspergers. And while we have some very similar traits, we can be quite different. I think it depends as well if there are any other co-morbid conditions with the AS. My brother is just Aspergers, however I also have OCD and an anxiety disorder, so my behaviour often differs to his very much. I suppose it can differ with each individual childs personality as well.

 

Good luck to you all!! >:D<<'>

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Overall, it sounds like good news. (Getting the diagnosis, I mean.)

 

You asked about multiple diagnoses in a family. My wife (diagnosed with Asperger's a year ago) and I have three sons. The oldest (11) and the youngest (4) have been diagnosed with ASD. (And the oldest is also diagnosed ADHD and Tourette's.)

 

However, the middle son (6) is as neurotypical as you can get. Which has led to an interesting phenomenon: He has helped his younger brother learn how to socialise. I've watched them in action. The six year old will say, "Okay, let's pretend that this car is the Batmobile. Now we'll pretend that Batman is inside, and he's driving after the Joker. Now make your car go 'vroom! vroom!' like this," etc. He has actually taught his younger brother how to engage in creative play!

 

The 11 year old, of course, didn't have anyone above him to do that, which is unfortunate. But he has watched his two younger brothers playing and wrestling and has adapted certain positive social behaviours based on his observations. The point is that siblings, ASD or not, can be a valuable rescource for each other. Each will have strengths the others do not. If we can find ways to get them to model each other's best behaviours, we may be able to help them to help each other.

 

Just a nibble for thought!

 

-- Malcolm

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