Government help for autism
Posted by
Leanne
on 29th January 2010
at 11:04
Hi
I think you will find its very much a postcode lottery and as such the advice/support you can get varies between areas.
It normally starts with a visit to the GP - even if you already have a diagnosis (my stepson was assessed in the US)- who will refer to a paediatrician (this can take months) and depending on their diagnosis referrals for speech therapy , occupational therapy will go from there again these can be long waiting lists.. some people take the private route to speed things up.
I found the whole system very disappointing.. even though I havent had to wait too long for anything. I really thought that I would be shown how to parent Alistair effectively but I have received absolutely no guidance and all of the progress has been down to us doing our own thing.
We do receive disability living allowance and I get carers allowance for him.
He also had a statutory assessment (statement) done which allowed him to attend a specialist school - it is a mainstream primary school with an attached autism unit. You will see from the posts on this site that getting an assessment done can be exceptionally stressful but it is the only way to ensure that your child gets the support they need.
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 29th January 2010
at 11:43
Hiya, Andrew!
Here are a few resources that may also be helpful, in addition to Leanne's comments (which probably give more 'real life' context!) I found these by searching the site map on the main TreeHouse website:
Support for parents and carers
Meeting my child's educational needs
-elena
Posted by
Robbie de Santos
on 29th January 2010
at 11:56
Hello,
The Government's 'public facing' website explains the different stages and processes to getting the right support for your child's needs:
I hope that helps on top of the information Leanne and Elena have already given you!
Robbie
Policy and Parliamentary Officer
TreeHouse
Posted by
Leanne
on 31st January 2010
at 19:49
Hi Andrew,
To be truthful I don't as I got sent a booklet of the schools that Alistair could go to and there was only 1 in our area.. the one that he attends.The booklet came from our local LEA.
Hopefully some of the others will be able to help, if not I will find out for you :)
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
Jenny Phillips
on 31st January 2010
at 21:00
Hi Andrew
You can search for details of schools and nurserys (as well as a range of other services) in the UK using the National Autistic Society's 'Autism Services Directory:
http://www.autismdirectory.org.uk/
Hope you find it useful...
Jenny Phillips
Training and Events Coordinator
TreeHouse
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Posted by
uttleya
on 29th January 2010
at 09:14
I am currently living in New Zealand on a work visa but was born in the UK , hold a british passport and left the UK for South Africa when I was 11 . My 4 and a half year old son is moderately severe autistic with global development delay
Should I have to return to the UK is there any concise and to the point source of information as to what support one can expect from the British Govt .