Autism

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Limegreenjelly Feb 2021 9:42am, 1 Feb 2021 119 posts	0 Limegreenjelly After being here a few weeks I’ve finally been signposted here! I’m a late diagnosis mum (diagnosed at 49) of 2. My oldest is 17, he’s been problematic ever since he went to high school. Lives in denial which is fine by me if he is bimbling along ok. The youngest is just coming up 10, the referral has been taking a long time, obviously the dreaded C isn’t helping matters but we did have a meeting at the hospital with the specialist that didn’t really go very well, I try not to think about it! The school are supportive! He’s doing alright at the moment because he’s at school with vastly reduced numbers. Maybe I’ve got enough to think about without picking these things apart today! Not sure why I’m down here waving a flag! But here I am!
RunnyBunny Feb 2021 10:48am, 1 Feb 2021 1,181 posts	0 RunnyBunny Hello LGJ I was diagnosed at 46 (self-diagnosed at 43). No children, but a few people dotted through my family tree who fit the bill too.
Flatlander Feb 2021 12:44pm, 1 Feb 2021 1,902 posts	0 Flatlander Hi Lgj, glad you made it here If you have the time to read back in this thread, you'll find lots of relevant information, especially for children, about what help and support is available, and some discussion about whether there is any benefit on children being diagnosed (a very brief summary is - yes, if the child needs support, no, if help isn't needed and the child is comfortable with themselves, maybe, since official recognition can give legal protection in some circumstances). I can't really give much advice on any of that since I was a very late diagnosis (60+!).
Limegreenjelly Feb 2021 12:57pm, 1 Feb 2021 120 posts	0 Limegreenjelly Ha, thanks flatlander (I love this name as I’m a born flatlander so it’s something I’ve always considered myself) It’s a difficult thing, I went for diagnosis in particular to help the youngest because of how things have played out for the oldest! The dr (I have the letter but it upsets me to read it because I want to respond to him but can’t find the right words) had a oh he can do a,b,c, d and e I can’t really see asd, my reply was yes I can do all of those things. Also being asked questions about my child infront of the child, it just doesn’t seem right, I can’t speak freely about him infront of him! That’s part of what I need to write down and send before our next meeting!
Flatlander Feb 2021 2:17pm, 1 Feb 2021 1,903 posts	0 Flatlander There are guidelines for GPs to follow rcgp.org.uk which leads to NICE guidelines nice.org.uk . There are various other NICE guidelines. As an adult I was required to answer an A10 form nice.org.uk before my GP was allowed to refer me.
Limegreenjelly Feb 2021 2:52pm, 1 Feb 2021 121 posts	0 Limegreenjelly It’s not the gp, this was the dr who is supposed be assessing my son! That’s why I don’t hold out much hope of a diagnosis. I’m just not really cut out for the battle, I could speak for myself and I know that my son is like me but just knowing will not get us the diagnosis. Yes I know all about the nice guidelines, I often direct other adults like us to them. Things are very different for children and the forms and things you have to fill in! I can’t stand what is beginning to feel like hopeless hoop jumping!
Mandymoo Feb 2021 1:27pm, 4 Feb 2021 11,081 posts	0 Mandymoo Finally after a long battle my Grandson has his EHCP finalised and his first choice of school has been accepted. Hopefully things can improve for him now, when he can return to school, but for now homeschooling with a new school. He is a very happy and excited 13 year old
Pothunter Feb 2021 1:45pm, 4 Feb 2021 3,733 posts	0 Pothunter Great news! With an EHCP he should be entitled to attend school in person. Obviously choice comes into it but AFIK the school can’t refuse if he wants to go in.
mr d Mar 2021 1:06pm, 30 Mar 2021 4,679 posts	0 mr d The last 15 minutes of the Naga Munchetty show on 5 live today featured Dr Anna Rimmington from UCL talking about employment opportunities for autistic adults. bbc.co.uk ucl.ac.uk
WA Aug 2021 12:12pm, 22 Aug 2021 8,979 posts	0 WA Hi all. Been a bit quiet in here- hope everyone is OK and ticking along. I've a question about autism and face recognition. SweetPea has always been poor at remembering names - I don't know if it's memory or processing- when she meets someone for the first time there's so much other stuff going on that she may not actually process the name at all, so she can't then recall it later. I've never thought about whether she recognises people or not though, until yesterday. She went to get jabbed, and one of the volunteers was someone from her old school. Not just anyone- the girl she sat next to in form for 5 years and who she went to Costa Rica with. They still chat online but probably haven't seen each other irl for over a year. The other girl recognised SweetPea straight away, and I recognised her, but SweetPea had absolutely no clue who she was until she gave her name. Is this something you/ your kids also struggle with? Thanks