new and needing advice
Posted by
Leanne
on 20th April 2010
at 15:54
Hi Lisa,
Welcome to the forum.
I would definately recommend seeing your GP as they are the ones that need to make the referral.. there is usually quite a waiting list though.
What about running through your concerns with us and maybe that will help you to be a little more confident when talking with your GP.
Regarding talking with your sons SENCO, in my experience I haven't had much luck with SENCOs but its entirely upto you. It depends what you are wanting from them :)
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
damo73
on 20th April 2010
at 17:25
Hello Lisa,
I was officially diagnosed with Asperger's last year at the age of 36. I am currently doing the monthy Q + A - ask any questions you like etc. + you will get a straight answer, if a little rambly and verbose.
Damian
Posted by
Josie Barnshaw
on 20th April 2010
at 17:45
Hi Lisa
Welcome to the group. I agree that your GP should be your first step for onward referral for assessment. I dont know how assessment is carried out in your area, but up here in Glasgow we have a specialist Community Autism Team who carry out the assessments, unfortunately this means a very long wait and in the meantime a referral to a Child Psychologist is carried out and therapies put in place to deal with all the separate issues that are going on. Also referral to the CAT team can only be done through a Paediatrician (up here, anyway). I think though it depends what area you are in how these things are carried out and the timescales involved. I have certainly heard many stories of differing lengths of waiting time, some of them very short.
There is certainly no harm in further investigating to find out if there is something else going on.
Josie - Community Champion
Posted by
bumblebee
on 20th April 2010
at 18:59
Hi Lisa,
I am mum to 3 kids on the spectrum and my 11 yr old daughter has Dyslexia and Aspergers (along with a few other things!). The Paediatrician put in her diagnostic report something like.... she has Apserger Syndrome which fits in line with her other neuro-developmental disorders....I asked her what this meant and she said that, although you can have Dyslexia on its own wihtout aspergers/autism, it can also be co-exist with the autistic spectrum...the same as ADHD, Dypraxia and a few others....they can also be stand alone diagnoses or linked to autism....I saw a lot of similarities between my daughter and Ben too, and I know what you mean about those light bulb moments!!
I wont repeat the advice the other ladies gave you about looking into a referral and I can't add anymore except to say, I think us parents have a sort of radar for our children and sometimes we just know!! Keep us updated on what you decide to do and if there are any issues we can help with now, with or without a diagnosis, we are more than happy to help...:0)
Claire - Community Champion
Posted by
Leanne
on 20th April 2010
at 21:43
Hi Lisa,
It can feel very lonely out there, hopefully you will find this forum to be a source of support for you :)
I can certainly relate to the negative feelings, we get that an awful lot with our eldest who has Aspergers and its something we are actively dealing with.
As for the bullying, have you spoken with the school regarding their anti-bullying policy.. it drives me insane that the victims are the ones that are isolated and the bullies are just left to it... no wonder it is so rife !! For children on the spectrum breaktimes can be the most challenging part of the day because it is the most unstructured.
I bought a couple of books recently in an attempt to raise my middle sons self esteem (he is typical but was bullied 18months ago and has still not recovered) I also got an anger management book which is really cool.. I could find the names for you if you want. The books are cool because they are aimed at the younger child and are designed in an easy going format. I have read through the books with my son and done the activities with him.
Did your son have any problems with his speech at all ??
Leanne - Community Champion
Posted by
Elena - former Community Manager
on 21st April 2010
at 13:57
Hi Lisa, welcome to Talk about Autism - we're happy you've come along!
Let us know if you need help finding anything. We're on Facebook too if you use it - www.facebook.com/talkaboutautism
Elena
Posted by
Leanne
on 22nd April 2010
at 20:36
Hi Lisa
The response that you got from the SENCO does not surprise me at all and is all too familiar.
Your GP should refer you to a paediatrician who should assess your son. the assessment is done in the form of a questionaire - I think its called something like a DISCO report (the others will chip in and correct me no doubt). So you will be asked to complete a checklist asking you how your child responds to certain situations or how they behave etc. These responses are input into a computer and the results say whether your child is on the spectrum or not. I am sure that the process varies from area to area .. I live in a particularly rubbish area so my experience is not good. We did have a chat with the paediatrician but essentially she just went by what the computer said.
Leanne - Community Champion
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Posted by
mum2sam
on 20th April 2010
at 15:09
Hi my name is Lisa.
I have a 9 yr old son who is currently in the process of getting a statement with regard to his severe Dyslexia.
I have always had a gut feeling that my sons problem wasn't only Dyslexia but something more.
I haven't mentioned this to his SENCO but now wish I had. My light bulb moment was last week upon watching the 1st episode of young Autistc and stagestruck. When watching Ben(high functioning Autistic). It was like watching my son!
I have now made an appointment with our GP, but aren't quite sure what to say without sounding like a neurotic mother!
Do you think I should go and see my sons SENCO? I have been battling with my sons school for the last 3 years, with regard to his other issues.
hope this makes sense. Lisa.