Autism

[ClaphamFox]

1 hour ago, Wymsey said:

Can you tell, from the outside, if someone is Autistic?

It can be complicated. My six-year-old is autistic and I’d say that on some days you’d have no idea there was anything different about him and on other days you’d see it very clearly. Like many people on the spectrum, he has a ‘spiky’ profile - ie, some very obvious strengths and qualities, mixed with some very clear challenges. It can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster parenting a child who can switch from being an articulate, kind and funny little boy to a raging poltergeist because somebody cut his toast the wrong way, but after a while it just becomes normal and you struggle to imagine it any other way…

Edited 6 July 2023 by ClaphamFox

[jonthefox]

12 hours ago, Wymsey said:

Can you tell, from the outside, if someone is Autistic?

I think so, but i guess if you lived with it daily , you would. I sat behind a couple with a young lad once at twin lakes and the kid was getting agitated by all the ride noises. The dad was just saying things ' f**ks up with him now ' etc. He then cleared off for something and i tapped the mum on the shoulder and told her i recognized the signs. Half expecting a backlash she just said thank you and she kind of knew. 

[Tommy G]

I'd be keen to hear about the sensory room as I wasn't sure this would be available until the new stand was built? Great if so. My son is undiagnosed autistic, almost 5 - only because we are waiting for the full assesment - my AXA cover doesn't cover anything on neurodiversiry so you have to rely on the NHS which is a shambles.

 

People have said can you recognise if someone is autistic - either very much so or not at all, and everything in between. At the extreme ends you could have a child that is sitting in the corner of the room banging their head against a wall, on the other end of the spectrum you could have a child that sometimes doesn't make eye contact - everyone is really different. 

 

I'd encourage anyone to at least be aware, if you see a child behaving different in public to be tolerant, it isn't the parents fault or the child isn't being ''naughty'' and spare a thought for how life changing and challenging (at times) it can be for a parent.

 

I would strongly advise anyone who is interested, or a parent, to read this book - it is co-written by Dr Sophia Mooncey who works out of the Spire in Leicester, she has seen Oliver a few times and a real expert in this area. 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parents-Guide-Autism-Diagnosis-Support/dp/1787754243 

 

I'd love to take my son to the football when he's older, and I think the world is generally waking up to this - I was so naive before it started affecting me so when someone is giving me funny looks in public when you are dealing with a situation with your child I kind of understand they don't understand either. 

 

I have gathered a lot of experience over the past few years, my PMs are always open for anyone who's child is autistic, or on the pathway. I've got some good experience of dealing with the local authority to the point of taking them to tribunal over schooling and provision, you really have to fight as a parent which is a really sad aspect of all this.  

[Foxdiamond]

52 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

I'd be keen to hear about the sensory room as I wasn't sure this would be available until the new stand was built? Great if so. My son is undiagnosed autistic, almost 5 - only because we are waiting for the full assesment - my AXA cover doesn't cover anything on neurodiversiry so you have to rely on the NHS which is a shambles.

 

People have said can you recognise if someone is autistic - either very much so or not at all, and everything in between. At the extreme ends you could have a child that is sitting in the corner of the room banging their head against a wall, on the other end of the spectrum you could have a child that sometimes doesn't make eye contact - everyone is really different. 

 

I'd encourage anyone to at least be aware, if you see a child behaving different in public to be tolerant, it isn't the parents fault or the child isn't being ''naughty'' and spare a thought for how life changing and challenging (at times) it can be for a parent.

 

I would strongly advise anyone who is interested, or a parent, to read this book - it is co-written by Dr Sophia Mooncey who works out of the Spire in Leicester, she has seen Oliver a few times and a real expert in this area. 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Parents-Guide-Autism-Diagnosis-Support/dp/1787754243 

 

I'd love to take my son to the football when he's older, and I think the world is generally waking up to this - I was so naive before it started affecting me so when someone is giving me funny looks in public when you are dealing with a situation with your child I kind of understand they don't understand either. 

 

I have gathered a lot of experience over the past few years, my PMs are always open for anyone who's child is autistic, or on the pathway. I've got some good experience of dealing with the local authority to the point of taking them to tribunal over schooling and provision, you really have to fight as a parent which is a really sad aspect of all this.  

Thank you for your post. My daughter is exhausted trying to find the right school for Grandson when he is 11.  So few and far between. She visited a great school but is over 30 miles away from home. In fact the school takes kids from 14 different local authorities such is the lack of provision with some children from as much as an hour and 45mins away

[Tommy G]

1 hour ago, Foxdiamond said:

Thank you for your post. My daughter is exhausted trying to find the right school for Grandson when he is 11.  So few and far between. She visited a great school but is over 30 miles away from home. In fact the school takes kids from 14 different local authorities such is the lack of provision with some children from as much as an hour and 45mins away

Where is she located and does her son have an EHCP? If it is Leicestershire I know the system reasonably well and managed to get our son into Dorothy Goodman at the first attempt. He isn’t severe by any means and is borderline specialist/mainstream but we thought at specialist school at least at the moment will give him the best opportunity 

[Foxdiamond]

5 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

Where is she located and does her son have an EHCP? If it is Leicestershire I know the system reasonably well and managed to get our son into Dorothy Goodman at the first attempt. He isn’t severe by any means and is borderline specialist/mainstream but we thought at specialist school at least at the moment will give him the best opportunity 

Thanks for interest. Based in Herts. Although confirmed autistic with ADHD still waiting for EHCP. Also not severe but struggles with mainstream. 

[Mike the Metal Ed]

16 hours ago, weller54 said:

This!!.. 

Both my granddaughter and grandson are autistic but with totally different traits.. 

But they're wonderful kids and I love them to bits. 

Yep, I have a few autistic friends and they all struggle with entirely different aspects of daily life and communication. Much like anyone's personality in general, you need to learn how best to be helpful to them on an individual basis.

[Wymsey]

18 hours ago, ClaphamFox said:

It can be complicated. My six-year-old is autistic and I’d say that on some days you’d have no idea there was anything different about him and on other days you’d see it very clearly. Like many people on the spectrum, he has a ‘spiky’ profile - ie, some very obvious strengths and qualities, mixed with some very clear challenges. It can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster parenting a child who can switch from being an articulate, kind and funny little boy to a raging poltergeist because somebody cut his toast the wrong way, but after a while it just becomes normal and you struggle to imagine it any other way…

 

8 hours ago, jonthefox said:

I think so, but i guess if you lived with it daily , you would. I sat behind a couple with a young lad once at twin lakes and the kid was getting agitated by all the ride noises. The dad was just saying things ' f**ks up with him now ' etc. He then cleared off for something and i tapped the mum on the shoulder and told her i recognized the signs. Half expecting a backlash she just said thank you and she kind of knew. 

Thanks for your detailed responses.

 

It seems like 'one size doesn't fit all', and I agree - as everyone is different.

[MrsJohnMurphy]

My son is autistic, he's 16 now, we went to his first game when he was 12 and I was so concerned because he has sensory issues with noise, fortunately he loved it I think that it's because it's more of a constant noise rather than sudden highs and lows he was ok. He loves it now and I can guarantee he'll be singing louder than any of you lot 

 

My one piece of advice would be to get in your seat early so that the atmosphere builds gradually and isn't a sudden overload to him

[Tommy G]

Has anyone been successful in getting the mobility element of DLA for their children? My lad is fine walking but has zero concept of danger, and cant walk/run the same distance or pace as his peers at the same age. He's entitled to middle rate DLA. Cheers

[tw511]

2 hours ago, Tommy G said:

Has anyone been successful in getting the mobility element of DLA for their children? My lad is fine walking but has zero concept of danger, and cant walk/run the same distance or pace as his peers at the same age. He's entitled to middle rate DLA. Cheers

Hi, our son is similar, walks just fine but has no sense of danger. 99% of the time he is fine but he can be unpredictable and randomly try to dart out into the road, so we have to watch like a hawk. Our DLA is mid tier for care and low tier for mobility, he doesn't need pushchair or support like that so doesn't get into the higher tiers. 

 

Have you looked into whether you qualify for carers allowance in addition? Because of the amount of care our son needs, it hinders the ability of both me and my wife to work full time. Currently my wife supplies a lot of the care (he is at school but off term care is really difficult esp Summer, we have very little family support) and is struggling to get any job that fits. You're prob already aware but if not worth a look. Hope this helps. 

[Tommy G]

38 minutes ago, tw511 said:

Hi, our son is similar, walks just fine but has no sense of danger. 99% of the time he is fine but he can be unpredictable and randomly try to dart out into the road, so we have to watch like a hawk. Our DLA is mid tier for care and low tier for mobility, he doesn't need pushchair or support like that so doesn't get into the higher tiers. 

 

Have you looked into whether you qualify for carers allowance in addition? Because of the amount of care our son needs, it hinders the ability of both me and my wife to work full time. Currently my wife supplies a lot of the care (he is at school but off term care is really difficult esp Summer, we have very little family support) and is struggling to get any job that fits. You're prob already aware but if not worth a look. Hope this helps. 

Thanks sounds very similar, I’ve checked that and my wife is above the threshold so not eligible. I understand how SEND summer schools etc are a lot more restrictive than mainstream 

[The Blur]

On 08/09/2023 at 10:22, Tommy G said:

Has anyone been successful in getting the mobility element of DLA for their children? My lad is fine walking but has zero concept of danger, and cant walk/run the same distance or pace as his peers at the same age. He's entitled to middle rate DLA. Cheers

 

Staying safe during travelling will probably be counted as part of personal care component instead of mobility component I suspect?

[Tommy G]

6 hours ago, The Blur said:

 

Staying safe during travelling will probably be counted as part of personal care component instead of mobility component I suspect?

I’ll let you know when they make the decision