Autism

DonTheKing

DonTheKing

Well-known member
My grandson who's 6 has finally got he's autism diagnoses yesterday! It's a relief for he's mum because it gives her the answer she needed.
We always know he was one special little boy, he's so clever, loving and funny.
I wouldn't want him any other way.
Long way to go but hopefully he will thrive with the support he will receive.

Anyone with any suggestions of other things to help us with? I'm clueless.
 
Years ago, my lad was diagnosed at a similar age.
We poured over books to understand what on earth that meant and what we could do to help..

To this day we are so pleased we did this.
Today there are networking groups for families too,

Try something like this

www.axelbooks.com

Autism: How to raise a happy autistic child By Jessie Hewitson

Written by Jessie Hewitson, an award-winning journalist at The Times, Autism is the book she wishes she had read when her son was first given the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. It combines her own experiences with tips from autistic adults, other parents - including author David Mitchell...
www.axelbooks.com www.axelbooks.com

It won’t all be rosy - but it isn’t with any child
Best Wishes
 
I wont try and pretend to be all knowing on the subject.

But I would suggest any tips/ advice depends on the form or severity of the diagnosis.

What parts of life might your grandson struggle with at the moment?

My son was diagnosed with very mild autism, and he has managed it very well on his own so far, but the areas he needs support in are the larger social events.

Getting him to feel comfortable at the Riverside has been a 4 year gradual process, but we got there and he loves it now (when the team doesnt it spoil it anyway!)

Really pleased for your daughter, and sometimes its just nice for someone to agree and then offer support. We felt like we were paranoid parents for a good few years!
 
MichaelDebeve said:
I wont try and pretend to be all knowing on the subject.

But I would suggest any tips/ advice depends on the form or severity of the diagnosis.

What parts of life might your grandson struggle with at the moment?

My son was diagnosed with very mild autism, and he has managed it very well on his own so far, but the areas he needs support in are the larger social events.

Getting him to feel comfortable at the Riverside has been a 4 year gradual process, but we got there and he loves it now (when the team doesnt it spoil it anyway!)

Really pleased for your daughter, and sometimes its just nice for someone to agree and then offer support. We felt like we were paranoid parents for a good few years!
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Yeah she got sick of explaining herself, I'm understanding of things like this, but i don't know much about it.
He struggles with toilet training, communication skills, social skills, he doesn't like certain things like water, hands being dirty etc.
He's in a standard school and thriving in he's English and maths etc, he just has struggles with certain aspects of school life, she's worried about when school becomes more challenging, less play etc.
 
All cases are so different mate, but what might give your daughter some hope is that my son has some pretty big sensory red flags when he was younger, the feel of things on his skin, even his socks crumpled in his shoes etc etc, which would really set him off, however over the years he has managed to cope with those things, and with some one on one help in main stream school most of his sensory issues are managed now (he's aged 11).

Similarly he was thriving in the maths and science side of school, just needed help becoming more social on his own terms.
 
dontheking said:
My grandson who's 6 has finally got he's autism diagnoses yesterday! It's a relief for he's mum because it gives her the answer she needed.
We always know he was one special little boy, he's so clever, loving and funny.
I wouldn't want him any other way.
Long way to go but hopefully he will thrive with the support he will receive.

Anyone with any suggestions of other things to help us with? I'm clueless.
Click to expand...
Lots of advice out there and it can be a bit overwhelming. Support groups are good and being able to chat with other people can be great. One thing that becomes obvious though is that every child and family is different! There is no set way to behave or to expect your grandson to behave. You and your family will find your own way, though there will be bumps in the road.

There are two things we found as my son grew older, which I guess are quite generic. I hope they make sense.
- Not everything your grandson does or says will be because he is autistic. He will have his own personality and traits, good and bad, as does everyone :) It is sometimes easy to forget that and to make excuses or to underestimate him.
- It is easy to become over protective and to wear yourself out worrying about him when he is not in your immediate care, especially as he gets older. He will cope better than you probably imagine.
 
Just starting the screening process with my 7 year old. Like MD, my son probably displays mainly milder symptoms however struggles massively with sensory overload.
Seeing him struggle so badly in environments and in situations neurotypical people would just take for granted is so tough at times.

Glad your family have got answers and hopefully support can be put in place for your boy to thrive.
 
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One of my children has it and once you get the diagnosis you look back on so many things and think "Ah yes, that's why."

He has managed quite a few football matches, but it's too loud for him and he hasn't came for a while now unfortunately.

There are many times that his matter-of-fact view of the world is mind boggling, but plenty of times where it makes you question your own assumptions and realise that there are indeed many cultural norms, processes and ways of doing things which ultimately don't matter.
 
jeff_potato said:
One of my children has it and once you get the diagnosis you look back on so many things and think "Ah yes, that's why."

He has managed quite a few football matches, but it's too loud for him and he hasn't came for a while now unfortunately.

There are many times that his matter-of-fact view of the world is mind boggling, but plenty of times where it makes you question your own assumptions and realise that there are indeed many cultural norms, processes and ways of doing things which ultimately don't matter.
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Have you tried noise cancelling headphones? Or ear plugs that are specifically for neurodiverse people
 
My eldest (also 6) is in the system for a diagnosis. His teacher has some sort of qualification in that area though and is pretty sure he's on the spectrum (as are we).

Some really good advice on here, particularly around everyone being different. A lot of the time you wouldn't tell with mine, but he can get over emotional and sometimes takes things too literally. Does well at school though and has some good friends. He's a bit of a chatterbox, but that's probably just his personality.

Knowing definitely helps. His mother is, by her own admission, quite probably undiagnosed autistic too and knowing this has really improved their relationship as she can adapt her behaviour better now.
 
My daughter got her diagnosis the day before she turned 6. As previously stated you look back and you realise alot now makes sense.

They key I think to having a happy child is by getting your routine absolutely spot on and learning absolutely everything that makes your child tick and what could possibly bring about a sensory overload. It takes time but even the little things will make life just that little bit easier.

Examples from my own daughter are that she absolutely can not stand people asking questions, it causes a huge overload, so unlike most parents we have to wait until she comes to us after school with what she's done that day.

Get a good school that will absolutely put 1000% into your child. Our school, Hardwick Green has been excellent and even though it's still a challenge keeping her happy with school it's not through any fault of there's.
They've gone above and beyond, Holidays in term time are no problem as they understand it's quieter, She's had a one to one, she comes out the main reception at 10 past 3 with her brother to avoid the crowds. They also sat all the children In her class down one day when she was absent and spent time actively explaining Autism and why Brooke is a little different and the kids in her class, barring one (I genuinely think he likes her but he gets on her nerves) are fantastic with her.

It's difficult day to day but you'll get there! I've struggle to go get employment because of issues around her and my partner also being autistic but I see the light at the end of the tunnel now where I feel confident trying my hand at getting out there.

There'll be a lot of repetition and a lot of sensory moods but the creativity and kindness is unparalleled
 
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