dooday24 Report post Posted June 13, 2006 hi my son is waiting to be seen by a phsychiatrist in the area as they think he has autism we hav been refused a refural from them twice as i was labelled a bad parent and put on a 14 week parenting course now they hav realised there is something wrong and they havnt enough resources in our area for him to go on the list and i was just wondering if ther was anything in the meantime i could do to make reeces life abit easier and also if anyone else is having the same probs in getting a diagnosis i would be very grateful for any input Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lil_me Report post Posted June 13, 2006 Hi, welcome to the forum, if you let us know what he's struggling with maybe we can offer some experience. Sounds like you've both been through it a bit, hopefully you are eventually being listened to now <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dooday24 Report post Posted June 13, 2006 Hi, welcome to the forum, if you let us know what he's struggling with maybe we can offer some experience. Sounds like you've both been through it a bit, hopefully you are eventually being listened to now <'> he had sleep apnoea as a baby and his oxygen levels used to drop belw 5 this problem was sorted by the tinme he was 14 months but he was very late crawling and walking. then he became obssesed with everything which way he walks to school which no bus he gets on and he has to go to the same cashier in a shop and cant stand any change and he can become very violent biting scratching kicking and can scream for hrs if things arnt right Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted June 13, 2006 Hi dooday, welcome to the forum <'> Lauren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted June 13, 2006 dooday I read in another post where you said there are no psychiatrists to assess your child. I notice you live in Oxfordshire. There are several teams in Oxfordshire but maybe not in your particular area; but not only that in Oxford city there is a clincical psychologist who has a lot of experience with autism. Sadly there are rumours flying that he is reportedly becoming a bit woolly and is now such an advocate for Gf/Cf diets that some of his patients have been given personality profiles and an appointment with a dietician rather than a firm diagnosis. This may all be well and good but a bit frustrating if you are looking for a name to put to your child's difficulties rather than a personality profile. If you want his details to take to your GP let me know and I'll pm them to you. Lauren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elanor Report post Posted June 13, 2006 Hi Dooday, and welcome Have you actually been refused a referral to a specialist in your area? Can you seek a referral outside your area? Some of us have found that it short-cuts the system a bit if you see a specialist (eg child psychiatrist) privately - of course it can be expensive, especially if a lot of investigation is needed. My son was diagnosed on the spot, after a 50 minute meeting, but it can take much longer. Maybe some people from your area can provide more information here, but the truth is that there often is very little help available even when you get a diagnosis - but diagnosis is critical. It means you can press for help from schools, the medical system and also from relevant benefits. You would also find it easier to get onto one of the NAS courses - eg Help! or Earlybird and Earlybird Plus (depending on your child's age). In terms of what you can do in the meantime, there's lots - and it all starts with getting an understanding of autism and aspergers, and beginning to see the world through your son's eyes. Start with a good book - like something by Tony Attwood (try the local library ordering system, or Amazon if you want to buy). You can make big changes to your child's life to make things easier, to reduce stress and help him cope better. You'll find lots of help on this forum, so stay around and read some of the old threads. Violence and aggression usually mean that your son is feeling stressed, and doesn't have appropriate ways of coping. In a documentary shown last week, Temple Grandin, an autisic adult, explained that fear can be a predominant emotion - I think that's true of my son. It's terribly hard to live with a child who behaves violently - but there are ways of dealing with it, and helping him to learn and to develop. Don't you just love the parenting classes! It all sounds so great - until you try to put an autistic child into time out! I'll bet half of us here have been down that route - even after diagnosis. I hope you get somewhere with the 'system'. Take care Elanor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
