ADOS Results

[carrieq]

Today our ds psychiatrist officially confirmed his findings and ds is ASD. He confirmed that his main weaknesses were in reciprocity and understanding and reacting to emotions. He said ds did things on his terms and had difficulty engaging the situation didn't interest him. During the test dr confirmed that ds made no attempt to interact except when discussion moved to his interest and then everyone was forced to listen to a monlogue!! Anyway dr says that this will impair his education and as such he will need continual support in place to allow him access to the curriculum and aid his social interaction. He is sending letters to this effect to all professionals who have been involved.

In an odd way I felt quite positive leaving the hospital. The dx was no surprise as it had been confirmed prior, it was just the extent and weaknesses that were being pulled out.

 

I then had a meeting at ds school as input from inclusion support is now ending and was hit with the fact that the school doesn't have an endless supply of money and many of the recommendations wouldn't be met. There are other children in the school who are accessing what ds needs so he won't get it!!! Even with a dx of ADHD, ASD and deep dyslexia he is not classed as exceptional for funding as loads of kids are on the spectrum and as such he only has a share of the general sns budget.

 

I arranged another meeting as this one was not the forum for this debate but I am stunned that they think I will accept this no questions asked!! I realise other children need provision and my son is not the only child with additional needs but if I don't push for his needs to be met then no one will!!

 

GRR!!! needed to get this down to work angry thoughts out of my system so I can start gathering info on what makes a child's needs exceptional!!

 

Carrie

[board]

just wanted to say hello my daughter was dx on the 12 of last month aspergers and i am finding it very hard with hear at the morment she dose not under stand when i get up set she shows no emotions i find that hard all the best to you jill

[cmuir]

Hi Carrie

 

That's good news that you got some positive feedback in terms of identifying your son's needs and that your psychiatrist has/will be contacting other persons involved in seeing your son.

 

We get our son's ADOS results tomorrow and I'm petrified in case we get told that there's nothing wrong or he's not on the spectrum. My stomach's in knots and has been for the past 10 days!!!

 

Don't know what to say about the school, other than don't give up and keep on at them. I got a document from an organisation called Enquire (http://www.enquire.org.uk/enquire/about_enquire.html). You may already know about them. Basically this document tells you all about the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 which came into force in November 2005. I found that it gave me a whole load of ammunition when I contacted my son's EP. I think that saying about being forewarned is forearmed is true. A lot of specialists in health care and education, in my opinion, don't bank on parents being knowledgable about such things. I think that 'pester power' (ie bombarding with letters and phonecalls for how ever long it takes!) is like a rocket up their rear in terms of progressing. If you PM me I can give you contact names in Edinburgh which may help.

 

Best wishes.

 

Caroline.

[Zemanski]

the LEA has a legal obligation to meet your son's special needs regardless of funding and they may not use funding as an argument for not doing so and may not use a blanket policy to determine the level of need and support - this is illegal

 

download a copy of the SEN code of practice from the DFES web site and also the Disability rights Commision one - very useful references

 

then call Ipsea and see what they think of what the LEA have told you - they will be very interested and will give you very good advice on how to sort it out

 

 

Zemanski

[jools]

good news that you have the dx officially.

hope you get things sorted soon with school!

[neda]

Carrie

 

I'm sure IPSEA are doing roadshows in Scotland just now regarding the Act and what your child is entitled to and there are free consultations available regarding school issues. Dates for all around the country. I got a leaflet through because I contacted them before but I no longer have it, although I am attending the seminar in Glasgow on 8 June.

 

I'm glad you have the dx now, I spoke to a psychologist in my university who specialises in ASDs and she told me that we as parents need to push, push, push. Back to the old saying he who shouts loudest.

 

I've got my ADOS appointment for wee one on 17th May, they will see ds on 24th and I will know results of it by mid June. Did you only have a few appointments as well?

 

Neda