Autism?

[baggieal]

Hi Mick
As others have said, the most important thing is for him to get an EHCP. In order to get this you need a formal diagnosis. In our own case, we picked up that something was amiss when our youngest (now 18) went to nursery but it was not until he began having issues in reception class and a friend suggested possible aspergers, that we researched it further. In the end we downloaded some aspergers tests from the internet and used these in support of our discussions with both his GP and the school. This resulted in him being referred to an Occupational Therapist at the local childrens clinic and to him getting his formal diagnosis of aspergers. The Statement of educational special needs (since replaced by the EHCP) then followed.
Sadly, whilst an EHCP is a need-to-have, so much depends on your particular local county council, the individual school and individual teachers. We have met some brilliant people but they have all been hampered by lack of funding and increased workloads. Government funding for education has been continually eroded for years and particularly funding for those with special needs. Whilst some SENCO teachers have been excellent, others have clearly attended a few courses and are proof that a little knowledge is, indeed, a dangerous thing. The one thing that is almost a certainty is that you will have to be prepared to fight for any help/funding and be prepared to put up with a lot of frustration and being passed from pillar to post but hang in there!

I had attempted to post some tips/advice for those with children on the spectrum but am new to this forum and I either typed too much or it timed out and-despite auto-save-I lost it all! Will try and put on a separate post

Good post! What’s coming out of this is don’t wait for help to jump out - it won’t so as this post says do your own research and it will help you all the way.

I was diagnosed with cancer last year and did my own research and even saw a leading consultant in the USA who was fantastic. The operation I had is hardly mentioned in the U.K. and without doubt the best option I could have chosen. Others with the same cancer will just go with the bog standard options the consultant will offer you which did not appeal to me - none of them did. It could have ruined my life!

So the message is do your own research with everything - listen to others and don’t take what you are offered as gospel and don’t put your trust in one professional!