General Chat

Your lad is still the same lad you had before the diognosis. This need not be the end of the world, he just needs more help to become part of it. Put in autism, or any other key words into google for support groups and websites. These will most likely answer a lot of questions you may be asking, and joining a support group will make you feel less alone. Elaine x

Thanks Helen and Heather for your messages. Spent all morning with his school today. They have been great with all their help. Julia

My son has severe dyslexia, adhd and autism! Dont despair, it really isnt the end of the world, you will learn to cope and do be grateful you actually got a diagnosis. If you go to adders.org there are dozens of parents of there going through same thing.

Julia You now have some labels for your son which will help you to get support from the system. But your son is the same boy he was before without the labels. nell

Thanks to every one for your replies and PM's they do help! I'm going to bed - I've got a lovely Headache !! I'll be back tomorrow but once again thanks. Julia

I have just read your thread and my heart to goes out to you my friend has a child with mild autism and he is 7yr but they think her youngest who is 3 has it worse so she has to go to a meeting that the doctor is arranging with all the people who can help her and I told her take all the help you can get and I do hope you will get help and take it

Before you do anything else , take some time to come to terms with things. Dont be afraid to ask for help....and keep asking until you get the help that suits you best. Take thngs slowly an dont be too hard on yourself. jess x

Hi Julia I have dyslexia and was 17 before anyone realise what it was. It took my mother to diagnose me and when she shows me the info all I could say was 'that's me!'. We had to fight to get assesed and in the end we wee told the because of my age the LEA would delay an assessment untill I had left school so we went private. As soon as I had a statment saying I had dyslexia and what I would need, my school gave me alot of help. I had the statement through in Oct and sat exams in Nov. with extra time because the school rushed through the paperwork to the exam board. When I was tested the assessor couldn't beleive that I had gone for so long without it being picked up, he refered to the level as moderate to servier but I had learnt to hide my problems well. I'm now in uni doing a degree so it can be done. You can get through this! As soon as you get a report saying what your son has and what he needs, read it - ring the assessor if there is anything you don't understand anything - and get a copy for the school so you know they have one. Make sure the school gives your son everything he needs. That could be anything from extra time in exams and tests to copies of the work he's expected to do prited on coloured paper. Take your lead from the person who assessed your son as to what to do, but until you get the report, just love him, praise him for doing well, and don't worry about him making errors. I have some web addresses for some places that advise on dyslexia throught the country that I can send you, if you would like them. Just remember you son is still the same person he has always been. Lunar xXx

Hi, A diagnosis is the beginning of getting the help he needs. A family member is an adult with autism and he had a part time job and a flat. He leads a full and active life with lots of friends with whom he plays/watches football and meets down the pub. Gwynne

Hi Julia, Have a good cry ....then consider that now you have a diagnosis you will be able to get the help and support that both you and your son need. It has taken you five long years but now you know what you are dealing with. There are many people who will be able to offer advice and practical help. Give yourself time to get over your shock and then go and ask your doctor for the help that you will need. My grandaughter has Aspergers syndrome so I do have a little understanding of how you feel. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love, Berylx

Hi Julia, my 9 year old has severe dyslexia...... but slowly he is learning to cope with it. i have heard before the 2 things can come hand in hand. sue. xxx

After fighting for 5 years to have my son assessed by the autistic pathway for Aspersers, today we finally had are assessment carried out. We were not expecting to be told he has autism. we were also told he has severe dyslexia. I knew that dyslexia was a problem with recognising letters but he also has the same problem with numbers. The educational physiologist told us he very rarely comes across someone with the complex needs my son is presenting. At the moment I don’t no what to do for the best, every time I think of him I start crying. Julia