Autism Awareness

[Hero]

Early last year I'd been approached about having my son tested for Autism based on observed difficulties and general demenour.

After 6-7 months of faffing about on the Paediatricians end, Linc's diagnosis was confirmed. Whilst it was a hard pill to swallow, it also answered a lot about his behavior and different social approach.

Since then it has been hard to sink in, but love for that boy never changed. His roadmap to life was different to other children and our household has had to adapt. If anything, I sometimes wonder if I am good enough to be his parent. Linc in his own love language way assures me at times that I must be doing something right by him.

Linc can be naughty and challenging, but what kids aren't? The Autism doesn't make him behave badly, it just makes things harder to communicate write and wrong. I'm still new to this.

I've spent the last half of 2017 til now fighting tooth and nail for entitlements and making sure my boy gets a fair deal. I'm also officially a full time carer.

This has been hard to share.

It is amazing how much more awareness of Autism has increased, along with support. Long may this continue to build.

[The Doctor]

I've been round plenty of folk on the spectrum. Just regular folk with different needs. Hopefully society is becoming more accepting though more slowly than it should be.

-Ralph

[Hero]

Nearly a year on from the original post, things have improved. The struggles are still there though.

Acceptance has been a huge difference and factor. I don't think Lincoln would have this level of help years ago.

Lincoln's speech has massively improved and my learning Makaton has slowed down because of it (though its very handy with my Father Christmas work). He can count, spell and write. There seems to be a lot more achievements to unlock.

2018 was still all fighting tooth and nail as much as 2017, and this year will seem no different. The going in general has really taken its toll.

[Grand Moff Muffin]

Sounds like you're doing an amazing job, Ken.

Wishing all the family a positive 2019!

Martin

[browny87]

That sounds really positive, we have a high number of autistic/aspergic students due to the nature of the course and them being mismanaged by schools/parents (a common occurrence is "he/she is only happy while gaming so they are going to do IT/Computing")

I'm sure you've learnt soo much this year in supporting his condition, but I will say this from my experience teaching these students and that's that sometimes there is no explanation for "challenging behaviour", the kids just have no way of expressing certain feelings and sometimes this comes across as naughty and actually in my experience it's frustration!

I think what I'm trying to say is that its a challenge but the achievement of seeing success is so much more rewarding!

[Philip Ayres]

How old is your chap now Ken?

We've found the challenges have evolved as Jonthan's got older.

Behaviour is an interesting one - Jonathan will suddenly do something and it's not till later you know why. For Example, He had a really poor patch of behaviour late October, to which our first thought is "Is he sickening for something?", but it turned out he'd suddenly had a developmental spurt and was finally able to relate the pictorial Lego instructions on paper to the bricks. He built his entire backlog of kits very very quickly!

[Hero]

Lincoln is 5. Happy to talk Autism stuff.

[Hero]

So-called Monthly meet at school was nothing more than a 40-minute boxed in the Headmasters office patronising session of moaning from 2 particular members of staff (the head mistress and the year R teacher).

A real waste of time, where nothing productive was mentioned and an absolute diatribe about how much of an inconvenience my son is with allusions to what crap parents George and I are. I'm working my butt off as it is to get my son at a place in a newer suitable school and I have no magic wand to wave.

I've worked in the schooling system and I know the moment a parent stands up to a member of the teaching staff (particularly the head) they are made out to be the bad guy and villified from the premesis. I've never had to do so much bottom lip biting in my life.

Fortunatley, the head who I can best describe as the lovechild of Trump and May is making thier exit at the end of the accademic year. Another reason to grit things out. I'm glad Blaise will not have to tolerate this woman after Lincoln has switched schools (Wherever that may be). This woman wont be happy until Linc is sent home permanently and his funding spent on other children. The poor boy is already doing half days at school as it is, which is actually illegal.

I've been video diarying the experience and possibly chucking it together into a small film #noplaceforlincoln. So of the clips are on my Instagram page where longterm pals can hear me swear and curse on the internet for the times ever

Phil. I'm still up for a chat about this stuff. I could really do with your wisdom beyond toys.

[Philip Ayres]

Liz would be a better person to talk to as she did more of the school stuff than me and I suspect she'd say your experiences are not uncommon. She very much is in favour of home education but it's not for everyone. I couldn't do it by myself.

[Hero]

I'll message her sometime. Thanks.

[Philip Ayres]

Probably best to send it to both of us so I can make sure she sees it

[Hero]

Sure. I can do that. I have you both on FB. Not spoken to Liz in a while.