Tomorrow (Friday 3/12) a team is coming out from Perth to do Brendan's assessment.
I'm not nervous about it, fully prepared for what the day might through my way. Tomorrow is just another day in our life but the outcome could mean an easier year next year for Brendan. As much as I don't want him to be diagnosed, fact is without it he doesn't get a whole lot of help. I had been told that Brendan will get an aide for school next year regardless of what the outcome of tomorrow's assessment is, however a few days ago the school rings to tell me that he will only get one if he has a diagnosis.... devastated doesn't quite some up my feelings. I have fought so hard to get Brendan to where he is, I have fought so hard to get them (therapists etc) to listen and now it might just fall apart anyway!
All along I've been told that having a diagnosis doesn't matter he will still get help he needs. He needs an aide, he needs someone to sit by and tell him in his language how to do things, when to do things and he needs to be constantly reminded to go to the toilet. He needs someone to keep his sensory input up so that he can even function properly. I wish that Sensory Processing Disorder was recognised....
Why can't things be a little easier I'm so drained from fighting things all the time!
Anyway, just thought I'd update for those interested. Will let you know how it goes later tomorrow
my friends little girl has sensory processing disorder and she had a full time aide for kindy (public school in Joondalup) so I dont understand why you would need a diagnosis, this little girl is turning 6 this month and they still cant get a definative diagnosis for her and she has been tested for autism, CP and other things, all to no avail. All the best for tomorrow xxx
Sal, I'm so sorry you have been told the wrong thing. B absolutely needs a dx to prove he needs an aide. Aides need to be trained and they need to be paid and unless you can privately fund one, you need to show the Gvt what help he needs and how much. WHO told you this? They need to be set straight and fast, imagine who else they are telling this to. Aides need to be sorted NOW for next year, so although you don't want the label...you kinda DO or else he will have a hard time at school and no one wants that.
YOu have to get used to the label thing. It only lasts long enough to get funding etc. Other than that it's just a word..or a jumble of letters
One thing is for sure - if he test positive for autism he should get an aide. If it's Aspergers he certainly IS NOT certain, because it depends on the level of blah blah blah. If he has speech issues that is actually a good thing when it comes to funding. My DS cannot get an aide on the basis of Aspergers because he has no speech/verbal issues. He still needs heaps of help transitioning from activity to activity.....so we have to go for funding based on "severe behaviour issues" which was a kick in the guts at one point but now I don't give a rats as long as he gets help. He won't need it forever but we need it at the start.
GL with everything, I hope you do get a dx because it;s the best thing in the long run. When he starts school you will notice how many Aides are in the classrooms these days and it's no big deal to anyone else. Kinda run of the mill really. I don't expect you to be cheering about it just yet. Classroom aides are the new black
Clare - it is probable your friends daughter has been given a dx of PDD-NOS which means Pervasive (I think) Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. This dx ensures funding under the Autism umbrella.
Autism Spectrum Assessment... *bit of a vent*
I'm so drained from fighting things all the time!
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I'll have to have a chat with the LAC with Disabilities Services and see if she can do something for me. 
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