New to forum and Aspergers

[LsMom]

Hi
I'm Sue, mom to Holly and Luke, wife to Paul.
Luke has just been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, he's 7. Taken 2 years to get to where we are now.
Feeling totally overwhelmed by all that we've been through and yet to get through, more assessments for ADHD and dyspraxia.
Thought it would help getting help and support from other parents with children with aspergers and hopefully give help back

Sue

[jerry5]

hi Sue,
seems like we are in a similar boat here! It sometimes does get a bit overwhelming doesnt it. I know that my better half is feeling it at the moment as we go through yet another stage of the statementing. I dont want to "label" him, but if thats what it takes to get him the support he needs then so be it. I personally see AS as something that many people have to greater or lesser degrees. I look at my son and I see all the traits that all kids go through, its just that with him they are more prolonged and exaggerated. And ,of course, each person with AS is different, both in respect of their own personalities and also where they might lie on the spectrum. To that extent, catergorizing someone with AS is no different than catergorizing someone with anything else be it a physical "disability" or whatever. Like anyone they are their own individual person and should be treated as such, its just that ,it seems to me at least, so few people who should know more about AS-teachers for example-do not and that is where the statementing etc is needed so that it sort of makes them sit up and acknowledge that this child does have genuine needs and that the parents arent making it up or the being over protective and that the child is not simply being naughty. I have only just found this site and look forward to making some new friends and learning more including things like stratergies and support as well as trying to better understand how my son feels/thinks as opposed to an "N/T" as they are labelled!!-not that I'm entirely N/T myself according to my wife (and whats so wrong about that?).

[Sammysnake]

Hi Sue. My daughter is 9 and was finally diagnosed a few weeks ago. She and I were really pleased to get the diagnosis as it means people will no longer keep telling me I'm imagining it and being overprotective (how often we hear that!) and my daughter feels much more relaxed. It's like she understands herself much more and has stopped asking searching questions about why she's here (on this planet) and where she fits into life. School leant us a fabulous book which we worked and chatted through together called 'Can I tell you about Asperger Syndrome?: A Guide for Friends and Family' by Jude Welton and Jane Telford. Beth really identified with it and could explain to me which bits were relevant to her and which were not. I also leant it to the grandparents as it is just like the child explaining it to them but it gives the child a voice and the words to say. Fab book!

I've also come across this website which lists lots of positive Aspie traits and again I can see a lot of my daughter in it. Take a look as it can help balance out some of the negative stuff we can get bombarded with. http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101....http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101.com/article.cfm/positive_traits_of_asperger

In my experience so far, having a label can sometimes be helpful as it shows people what information to look for and there are a wealth of resources out there. I work in a school and I know teachers and generally not well trained in SEN - there are such a vast range of them. However a good teacher, especially armed with a diagnosis, will research the child's needs once they have a direction to go in and will use this in forming a good IEP for them. Definitely make sure you get on School Action or School Action Plus if you are not already and get some good review meetings set up. Good luck.