Hi all, wow lots going on in the past few weeks with our gorgey kids!
Christy - Sounds like you found yourself an awesome OT! I always say OT saved us! Not just the difference in Xander but in the understanding of where he is coming from - it is my favourite place to be with him because he is "at home" What you need to do now is get to medicare and get your Autism specialist refunds organised. It is quite a lengthy process but basically you get about 80% back on OT. Pm me if you want details
Maz - we have all been there! How is it these kids know just what buttons to push that hurt us so much. hugs to you, hope things get better.
Wednesday - welcome to a place where you can feel normal at last, You can chat to us about everything you and your son are going through and we will understand just where you are at! As for blaming yourself and looking for reasons, don't. My SIL (her son and daughter also have asd) have done our fair share of beating ourselves up and searching for connections/causes etc but these kids are who they are and they are infinetely special and unique and although they experience things differently to us and drive us nuts what would the world be without them. There ar lots of famous people who have autism and have changed our world for the better. Something I am coming to terms with this year is not forcing my ideals on DS for example for the past 6 yrs I have pushed him to socialise but he doesn't like it and now I have come to terms with it and don't eel like I am neglecting him etc. What is great is if you can get together with other parents of kids with autism and the stress there is a lot less. Check out aspect for lots of insight into people with autism - really interesting to speak to people with autism and see how they percieve themselves and their diagnoisis.
Mantaray - you sound just like me when we started looking into assessment with DS. I was worried that they would turn around and say nothing is wrong I'm just a paranoid parent and I was worried that they would turn around and say - yes this is autism - and then where would we be. Argued constantly with DH about what difference it would make etc. Anyway on the other end of the stick now - I wouldn't have it any other way. Having the assessments done gives you insight into where you can help. Even if it turns out to be "traits of autism" "PDD" "sensory processing" it gives you somewhere to go and work on his issues and help him. I know it sounds harsh but you are better off to go in there and present the worst of the worst behaviours/experineces you have had because if you water it down now and he is classes as borderline or not on the spectrum and then things worsen later on you will not only have to repeat the whole process again but also you will have missed this vital time to work on social cues, OT fine and gross motor skills.
Hoobly - welcome. I agree with Christy and Ambah an OT is a great place to start to desensitise and if...if they pick up other sensory problems in the assessment well it's all the more info for you to help your daughter out of these situations. We are in a situation with a strong family history - SIL two kids are dx and our son is dx and I was recently talking to the OT about my DD quirks that are arising. she agreed with our family history it would be impossible for her not to have traits but having picked them up we can work on them with her. Don't forget also that autism in girls is much different to the stereotypical reactions and assessments we see in boys. Sue Larkey and Tony Atwood have done some assessments on this I believe and Christy would have some great first hand info on things to look for.
Well after all that gushing I don't really have the energy to write about Xander's school issues only to say blah blah blah. I hate school and I hate other kids who go to school
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