My sons been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum. Luckily where I live health professionals have been very good in getting him the help, and support he needs throughout pre-school years.
Without this he would be struggling, although to strangers appears a 'normal' little boy, until he has an episode; I just try and distract him usually when that happens. As he appears 'normal' comments have been made when he's 'freaked out' in public, which made me react defensively. That is the hardest thing, but am learning to deal with it.
I worry about how he will get on when he starts mainstream school, although support is actively being fought for by professional bodies.
It would be interesting to hear how older children/adults fare. Do they grow up to lead a normal life? I'm not a medical expert, but feel its to do with brain conditioning, as one-to-one has helped my son no end. He's just about a year behind (in age), but has a great sense of humour, is very intelligent with numbers, and letters, although needs help in everyday ordinary situations, and is well-liked by the other children, but when left to his own devices needs guidance, and supervision, and has no sense of danger.
Is it possible for the brain to re-wire itself? In my son's case the support is having a significant impact.
I recently came across an online book Coping: A Survival Guide for People with Asperger Syndrome by the late Marc Segar and it case it helps anyone, the link is here: http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/alistair/survival/
My little girl who is 3.5 has been referred for an autism diagnosis but in my part of the country, its an 18 month waiting list It's a constant fight trying to get help but im not giving up ! One good thing is that she has been awarded a place at a communication and language specialist pre school which im sure will help her loads. She really enjoys her mainstream nursery and copes very well.
She's very much a creature of habit, loves routine and needs to be well prepared for any changes. She's looks like a typical 3 year old girl and she can be the loveliest little girl ever but if she is put out of her comfort zone or something unexpected happens, she cant cope.
She doesnt say much, mainly single words or she'll link two together. However, yesterday she had an amzing day out, a total treat day where we took her to see The Wiggles in concet, she had a meet and greet with them before the show, we bought her lots of merchandise and then met her aunties for lunch etc and when we got home she looked at me and said " Mummy ? Best day ever " I was the proudest mummy in the world
I hate the fact she might have autism for her own little sake, life is hard enough and i dont want it to be any harder for her. She is such a gorgeous little thing and i will do anything i can to make sure she gets all the help she needs.
Extra funding for autism
£1.5m for development fund
More people with autism and their families are set to benefit from initiatives which will make a difference to their lives thanks to a funding boost.
The Autism Development Fund is set to be increased from £1m to £1.5m per year.
Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said the extra funding was being provided because of the high level of interest from local and national organisations in submitting bids for the fund.
The fund allows organisations to apply for money to take forward initiatives which make a difference to the lives of people with autism and their families.
Organisations have received funding for initiatives such as providing work experience to young people with autism and to support young adults who are moving into independent living.
The Scottish Strategy for Autism was launched last year with £13.4 million over four years to implement its recommendations.
Mr Matheson said: “It’s great news for people with autism and their families that even more projects will receive money thanks to this funding boost.
“I decided to increase the level of funding because the original £1m did not meet demand from the large number of local and national organisations who submitted bids.
“The fund will help us realise our vision - that individuals on the autism spectrum are respected, accepted and valued by their communities and have confidence in services to treat them fairly so that they are able to have meaningful and satisfying lives.”
The announcement comes ahead of Mr Matheson’s visit to New Struan School, Alloa, which supports children with autism. The school is run by charity Scottish Autism.
Alan Somerville, CEO, Scottish Autism, said: “We were delighted to work with the Scottish Government in the preparing the strategy for autism and we continue to offer our full support as this is rolled out through projects backed by the autism development fund. It is vital that we build on the great work that is being done across the country by organisations like Scottish Autism to develop a better understanding of autism and ensure we are able to provide the best care and support for those who live with the condition.”
I really hope my daughter feels the same when she's older
The only thing I DON'T feel proud of is the people I know who have an appalling attitude towards it! :mad: They are a lot worse off in the end for their sheer ignorance!
I really hope my daughter feels the same when she's older
It probably doesn't seem like much of a consolation but your daughter's really lucky to be being considered for a diagnosis - statistically, girls tend to miss out. A lot of girls go through hell with their difficulties being misunderstood. A diagnosis is simply the key to understanding how best to help her. The NAS reckon there may be an equal number of girls who have autism, rather than the skewed figures that are actually diagnosed (Center for Disease Control now reckons 1:54 boys, 1:152 girls - an overall rate of 1:88 in the population) - girls present very differently and often mask their problems very well. If their obsession is friendships, it can be very hard to spot where things are going wrong for them. And trust me, I speak from experience with this.
To give you some hope, I can tell you that the son who was twelve when I started this thread is now a strapping 19 year old currently at the end of his first year at University. I won't pretend it's been plain sailing - it hasn't - everything's a learning curve. But I won't pretend that I am not enormously proud of him either. Sure, the next few years will be challenging - but not impossible. And no, he's not 'cured' - but he's able to live relatively independently with discreet support.
As I face redundancy from my much loved job - in the name of county council 'cuts' - I can only hope I've made some positive difference to other people's lives in the last four years (and that schools have valued my advice sufficiently to want to commission me privately from hereonin. )Seems like Scotland have their priorities sorted - shame the English can't get their act together.
I was told recently by a health professional who works with autistic teens, that they often notice a leap in capability and confidence in them around the age of 19. She described it like a light being switched on, and wonders if there is some social developmental delay to blame.
My son is currently 15 and going through another bad patch of depression. I'm clinging to the hope that he'll suddenly feel better at 19 like it's a lifebelt!
It probably doesn't seem like much of a consolation but your daughter's really lucky to be being considered for a diagnosis - statistically, girls tend to miss out. A lot of girls go through hell with their difficulties being misunderstood. A diagnosis is simply the key to understanding how best to help her. The NAS reckon there may be an equal number of girls who have autism, rather than the skewed figures that are actually diagnosed (Center for Disease Control now reckons 1:54 boys, 1:152 girls - an overall rate of 1:88 in the population) - girls present very differently and often mask their problems very well. If their obsession is friendships, it can be very hard to spot where things are going wrong for them. And trust me, I speak from experience with this.
To give you some hope, I can tell you that the son who was twelve when I started this thread is now a strapping 19 year old currently at the end of his first year at University. I won't pretend it's been plain sailing - it hasn't - everything's a learning curve. But I won't pretend that I am not enormously proud of him either. Sure, the next few years will be challenging - but not impossible. And no, he's not 'cured' - but he's able to live relatively independently with discreet support.
As I face redundancy from my much loved job - in the name of county council 'cuts' - I can only hope I've made some positive difference to other people's lives in the last four years (and that schools have valued my advice sufficiently to want to commission me privately from hereonin. )Seems like Scotland have their priorities sorted - shame the English can't get their act together.
Funding is a big problem here. A few autism initiatives and groups in Oxfordshire (and there were't many to start with) have shut down in the last couple of years. Scotland don't seem so badly hit.
It probably doesn't seem like much of a consolation but your daughter's really lucky to be being considered for a diagnosis - statistically, girls tend to miss out. A lot of girls go through hell with their difficulties being misunderstood. A diagnosis is simply the key to understanding how best to help her. The NAS reckon there may be an equal number of girls who have autism, rather than the skewed figures that are actually diagnosed (Center for Disease Control now reckons 1:54 boys, 1:152 girls - an overall rate of 1:88 in the population) - girls present very differently and often mask their problems very well. If their obsession is friendships, it can be very hard to spot where things are going wrong for them. And trust me, I speak from experience with this.
To give you some hope, I can tell you that the son who was twelve when I started this thread is now a strapping 19 year old currently at the end of his first year at University. I won't pretend it's been plain sailing - it hasn't - everything's a learning curve. But I won't pretend that I am not enormously proud of him either. Sure, the next few years will be challenging - but not impossible. And no, he's not 'cured' - but he's able to live relatively independently with discreet support.
As I face redundancy from my much loved job - in the name of county council 'cuts' - I can only hope I've made some positive difference to other people's lives in the last four years (and that schools have valued my advice sufficiently to want to commission me privately from hereonin. )Seems like Scotland have their priorities sorted - shame the English can't get their act together.
Thanks for your lovely post I know A's life is going to be harder than normal and i will do everything i can for her.
We live in Scotland so im probably in a better part of the UK with regards to autism help ? The only bad thing is the 18 month waiting list for a diagnosis xx
my son wasnt diagnosed till he was 7 due to other medical needs.he now is 10 and we appear to be going through a rather difficult patch.every day seems to be a challenge.it doesnt help that we home school him.
please tell me it gets easier.
I'm new to this thread so please be gentle. :)I'm 34 years old and have always suspected I have aspergers. I'm incredibly lonely. I keep getting to to get a job but being with people terrifies me:eek:. I'm stuck. Can anyone help me?
I'm new to this thread so please be gentle. :)I'm 34 years old and have always suspected I have aspergers. I'm incredibly lonely. I keep getting to to get a job but being with people terrifies me:eek:. I'm stuck. Can anyone help me?
Thanks:)
Firstly and I know it sounds old and corny,
Go and speak to your Doctor first
to see if you can be referred to a professional.
I'm on the waiting list to see a therapist. At the moment I'm recovering from a foot operation but the pot comes off in a month and as soon as that it done I'll be in touch with them.
Sorry Neil, I've just realised you've already been referred. If you google Asperger's along with the name of the town you live in you should be able to get some groups in your area that may be able to give you some advice, or ring your local MIND http://www.mind.org.uk/
I'm on the waiting list to see a therapist. At the moment I'm recovering from a foot operation but the pot comes off in a month and as soon as that it done I'll be in touch with them.
Is that a specialist for diagnosis?
The National Autistic Society will help you find a local group who can support you through getting a diagnosis.
Comments
'The Black Balloon'
BBC2 11:50pm
Some scenes might be distressing to watch but it has a good ending.
I'll keep a watch out for that
Thank you.;)
Without this he would be struggling, although to strangers appears a 'normal' little boy, until he has an episode; I just try and distract him usually when that happens. As he appears 'normal' comments have been made when he's 'freaked out' in public, which made me react defensively. That is the hardest thing, but am learning to deal with it.
I worry about how he will get on when he starts mainstream school, although support is actively being fought for by professional bodies.
It would be interesting to hear how older children/adults fare. Do they grow up to lead a normal life? I'm not a medical expert, but feel its to do with brain conditioning, as one-to-one has helped my son no end. He's just about a year behind (in age), but has a great sense of humour, is very intelligent with numbers, and letters, although needs help in everyday ordinary situations, and is well-liked by the other children, but when left to his own devices needs guidance, and supervision, and has no sense of danger.
Is it possible for the brain to re-wire itself? In my son's case the support is having a significant impact.
My little girl who is 3.5 has been referred for an autism diagnosis but in my part of the country, its an 18 month waiting list
She's very much a creature of habit, loves routine and needs to be well prepared for any changes. She's looks like a typical 3 year old girl and she can be the loveliest little girl ever but if she is put out of her comfort zone or something unexpected happens, she cant cope.
She doesnt say much, mainly single words or she'll link two together. However, yesterday she had an amzing day out, a total treat day where we took her to see The Wiggles in concet, she had a meet and greet with them before the show, we bought her lots of merchandise and then met her aunties for lunch etc and when we got home she looked at me and said " Mummy ? Best day ever " I was the proudest mummy in the world
I hate the fact she might have autism for her own little sake, life is hard enough and i dont want it to be any harder for her. She is such a gorgeous little thing and i will do anything i can to make sure she gets all the help she needs.
Extra funding for autism
£1.5m for development fund
More people with autism and their families are set to benefit from initiatives which will make a difference to their lives thanks to a funding boost.
The Autism Development Fund is set to be increased from £1m to £1.5m per year.
Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said the extra funding was being provided because of the high level of interest from local and national organisations in submitting bids for the fund.
The fund allows organisations to apply for money to take forward initiatives which make a difference to the lives of people with autism and their families.
Organisations have received funding for initiatives such as providing work experience to young people with autism and to support young adults who are moving into independent living.
The Scottish Strategy for Autism was launched last year with £13.4 million over four years to implement its recommendations.
Mr Matheson said: “It’s great news for people with autism and their families that even more projects will receive money thanks to this funding boost.
“I decided to increase the level of funding because the original £1m did not meet demand from the large number of local and national organisations who submitted bids.
“The fund will help us realise our vision - that individuals on the autism spectrum are respected, accepted and valued by their communities and have confidence in services to treat them fairly so that they are able to have meaningful and satisfying lives.”
The announcement comes ahead of Mr Matheson’s visit to New Struan School, Alloa, which supports children with autism. The school is run by charity Scottish Autism.
Alan Somerville, CEO, Scottish Autism, said: “We were delighted to work with the Scottish Government in the preparing the strategy for autism and we continue to offer our full support as this is rolled out through projects backed by the autism development fund. It is vital that we build on the great work that is being done across the country by organisations like Scottish Autism to develop a better understanding of autism and ensure we are able to provide the best care and support for those who live with the condition.”
Background
The autism strategy can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/11/01120340/0
I really hope my daughter feels the same when she's older
It probably doesn't seem like much of a consolation but your daughter's really lucky to be being considered for a diagnosis - statistically, girls tend to miss out. A lot of girls go through hell with their difficulties being misunderstood. A diagnosis is simply the key to understanding how best to help her. The NAS reckon there may be an equal number of girls who have autism, rather than the skewed figures that are actually diagnosed (Center for Disease Control now reckons 1:54 boys, 1:152 girls - an overall rate of 1:88 in the population) - girls present very differently and often mask their problems very well. If their obsession is friendships, it can be very hard to spot where things are going wrong for them. And trust me, I speak from experience with this.
To give you some hope, I can tell you that the son who was twelve when I started this thread is now a strapping 19 year old currently at the end of his first year at University. I won't pretend it's been plain sailing - it hasn't - everything's a learning curve. But I won't pretend that I am not enormously proud of him either. Sure, the next few years will be challenging - but not impossible. And no, he's not 'cured' - but he's able to live relatively independently with discreet support.
As I face redundancy from my much loved job - in the name of county council 'cuts' - I can only hope I've made some positive difference to other people's lives in the last four years (and that schools have valued my advice sufficiently to want to commission me privately from hereonin.
My son is currently 15 and going through another bad patch of depression. I'm clinging to the hope that he'll suddenly feel better at 19 like it's a lifebelt!
Funding is a big problem here. A few autism initiatives and groups in Oxfordshire (and there were't many to start with) have shut down in the last couple of years. Scotland don't seem so badly hit.
I have Aspergers Syndrome and I'm proud of it.
Thanks for your lovely post
We live in Scotland so im probably in a better part of the UK with regards to autism help ? The only bad thing is the 18 month waiting list for a diagnosis xx
please tell me it gets easier.
I'm new to this thread so please be gentle. :)I'm 34 years old and have always suspected I have aspergers. I'm incredibly lonely.
Thanks:)
Firstly and I know it sounds old and corny,
Go and speak to your Doctor first
to see if you can be referred to a professional.
I just feel incredibly lonely right now.
It's been a long hard fight for them, and I'm having to work with a trainee, but hopefully it will help.
Is that a specialist for diagnosis?
The National Autistic Society will help you find a local group who can support you through getting a diagnosis.
'The Growing Pains of a Teenage Genius', about a Genius who has Asperger's syndrome.
Seems like a normal lad to me.