It was picked up by the pre school at about 2 1/2 or so, they mentioned it to us about getting referred to the hospital. We agreed so they wrote off to the peadatrician who got an appointment for us and we went from there. We first went with a report from the pre school which really helped, I think they waited till he was nearly 3 before an "official" diagnosis of ASD, took a few months i think as the first appointment was just to see how he was. The Dr got us a 6 week course with a speach and language person, she was really great but after 6 weeks she did not think he needed anymore as he was coming on really well (at pre school too). For my and my wife it was really helpful to have the pre school involved as he behaves really different when he is there, don't think he likes hospitals much and will not be examined etc, however at pre school he has his routine which he follows really well, then is a bugger when he gets home ha ha.
The only problem we have had is with the Daisy programme so far, as mentioned they do not have any facilities for children and the courses are only in the day time, makes life really difficult when one works and has another child. We have had great support from the health visitor who comes round to see Julie (wife) a lot and helps out with organising speaking to different people.
As mentioned so far has been brilliant, no complaints at all, i feel a bit guilty really but people are really helpful and organised, I am sure it will change when we get to big school.
Done better ? not much to be honest, possibiley organising some sort of parents evening type thing where one can chat to other parents with ASD children and actually for me maybe meet other ASD children, one of the big worries for me is what will happen in the future how will he turn out, will he struggle, get bullied etc etc.
Luckily me and my wife are very pro active in researching all about ASD, i think it has really helped my understand the way he thinks and made it a bit easier to cope with (sometimes).
Oh sorry I have rambled on again but hope that is ok
Matt
Posted by Elena Goodrum
on 16th March 2010
at 14:41
Thanks Matt, and no worries at all! I thought you might not have seen my questions. ; )
I appreciate your insightful reply! I'm so glad to hear it hasn't been an extremely difficult journey yet. Hopefully you will continue to feel that you are 'well armed' for if ever a tricky situation does arise. We hope you'll always feel you can come here and chat about things if you need any extra backup!
I'm so glad to hear that Robert is loving his pre-school, and fingers crossed you can get him some more days.
Posted by damo73
on 25th March 2010
at 19:20
Hello Elena,
Still happy to do April Q + A - let me know any instructions on what to do etc. - do you set the string up with a question?
Damian
Posted by Josie Barnshaw
on 25th March 2010
at 21:01
Hi Damian
Thought I would answer as Elena is probably offline.
Yes, Elena, sets up the thread for you with some questions which you answer and then we all fire questions at you. Look forward to your April session.
Josie - CommunityChampion
Posted by Elena Goodrum
on 26th March 2010
at 08:39
Thanks, Josie! That's right - I'll set everything up on one of the first days of April and let you know by email that it's all ready to go. I'll send you a private message to let you know. Looking forward to it! : )
As we've got just about a week left in this month, are there any more questions for Matt? Matt, do you have any new experiences or situations to share from the last month (no worries if not)?
Posted by Matt Joyce
on 26th March 2010
at 08:58
Hi Clare
not really but I am going to add a new thread today called Happy Days (will do it after my meeting). The reason is sometimes we (well I) focus on the things that are wrong or bad or need sorting but there are times that are just really special and "normal". I had a day like it last night with Robert and it was just really really nice and made me feel good about it. I thought it owuld be good for other parents to share good moents too, apologies if this is already up there.
Thank you to everyone for asking questions, it was really quite fun actually and i hope i answered them all ok.
Matt
Posted by Josie Barnshaw
on 26th March 2010
at 11:37
Hi Matt
Yes, we do have a thread for good news and you can find it here:
It was opened not long after the Rant Room to balance things out! It's already full of lots of happy news and good things that have happened to us over the year.
Josie - CommunityChampion
Posted by Elena Goodrum
on 1st April 2010
at 11:07
Matt, thank you so very much for being our featured member of the month for March! I've directed a couple of people to this discussion - people who are new to autism. I think you're insights are extremely useful to hear about, and really appreciate you taking the time to chat with us this month. :-)
![SiftGroups.com [opens in a new window]](sites/www.talkaboutautism.org.uk/themes/zen/treehouse/images/siftGroupsLogo.gif)
Posted by
Matt Joyce
on 16th March 2010
at 14:36
Hi Claire
It was picked up by the pre school at about 2 1/2 or so, they mentioned it to us about getting referred to the hospital. We agreed so they wrote off to the peadatrician who got an appointment for us and we went from there. We first went with a report from the pre school which really helped, I think they waited till he was nearly 3 before an "official" diagnosis of ASD, took a few months i think as the first appointment was just to see how he was. The Dr got us a 6 week course with a speach and language person, she was really great but after 6 weeks she did not think he needed anymore as he was coming on really well (at pre school too). For my and my wife it was really helpful to have the pre school involved as he behaves really different when he is there, don't think he likes hospitals much and will not be examined etc, however at pre school he has his routine which he follows really well, then is a bugger when he gets home ha ha.
The only problem we have had is with the Daisy programme so far, as mentioned they do not have any facilities for children and the courses are only in the day time, makes life really difficult when one works and has another child. We have had great support from the health visitor who comes round to see Julie (wife) a lot and helps out with organising speaking to different people.
As mentioned so far has been brilliant, no complaints at all, i feel a bit guilty really but people are really helpful and organised, I am sure it will change when we get to big school.
Done better ? not much to be honest, possibiley organising some sort of parents evening type thing where one can chat to other parents with ASD children and actually for me maybe meet other ASD children, one of the big worries for me is what will happen in the future how will he turn out, will he struggle, get bullied etc etc.
Luckily me and my wife are very pro active in researching all about ASD, i think it has really helped my understand the way he thinks and made it a bit easier to cope with (sometimes).
Oh sorry I have rambled on again but hope that is ok
Matt
Posted by
Elena Goodrum
on 16th March 2010
at 14:41
Thanks Matt, and no worries at all! I thought you might not have seen my questions. ; )
I appreciate your insightful reply! I'm so glad to hear it hasn't been an extremely difficult journey yet. Hopefully you will continue to feel that you are 'well armed' for if ever a tricky situation does arise. We hope you'll always feel you can come here and chat about things if you need any extra backup!
I'm so glad to hear that Robert is loving his pre-school, and fingers crossed you can get him some more days.
Posted by
damo73
on 25th March 2010
at 19:20
Hello Elena,
Still happy to do April Q + A - let me know any instructions on what to do etc. - do you set the string up with a question?
Damian
Posted by
Josie Barnshaw
on 25th March 2010
at 21:01
Hi Damian
Thought I would answer as Elena is probably offline.
Yes, Elena, sets up the thread for you with some questions which you answer and then we all fire questions at you. Look forward to your April session.
Josie - Community Champion
Posted by
Elena Goodrum
on 26th March 2010
at 08:39
Thanks, Josie! That's right - I'll set everything up on one of the first days of April and let you know by email that it's all ready to go. I'll send you a private message to let you know. Looking forward to it! : )
As we've got just about a week left in this month, are there any more questions for Matt? Matt, do you have any new experiences or situations to share from the last month (no worries if not)?
Posted by
Matt Joyce
on 26th March 2010
at 08:58
Hi Clare
not really but I am going to add a new thread today called Happy Days (will do it after my meeting). The reason is sometimes we (well I) focus on the things that are wrong or bad or need sorting but there are times that are just really special and "normal". I had a day like it last night with Robert and it was just really really nice and made me feel good about it. I thought it owuld be good for other parents to share good moents too, apologies if this is already up there.
Thank you to everyone for asking questions, it was really quite fun actually and i hope i answered them all ok.
Matt
Posted by
Josie Barnshaw
on 26th March 2010
at 11:37
Hi Matt
Yes, we do have a thread for good news and you can find it here:
http://www.treehouse.org.uk/forums/autism/general-autism/1935
It was opened not long after the Rant Room to balance things out! It's already full of lots of happy news and good things that have happened to us over the year.
Josie - Community Champion
Posted by
Elena Goodrum
on 1st April 2010
at 11:07
Matt, thank you so very much for being our featured member of the month for March! I've directed a couple of people to this discussion - people who are new to autism. I think you're insights are extremely useful to hear about, and really appreciate you taking the time to chat with us this month. :-)