austic spectrum disorder

[melangels]

hi my daughter has recently been diagnoised with autistic spectrum disorder which was a shock as they thought she had aspergers does anyone no what the diffrence is as i haven't been given that much information

[Sally44]

Have a look on the Health Page link at the top of this form page.  I've posted the diagnostic criteria under DSM IV for autism.  And some people have posted examples of their childrens' behaviour that fits the criteria.  This will give some good examples of what the professionals are looking for.
Whereabouts are you, UK or USA?
With a diagnosis of autism that usually means they have speech disorders or speech processing problems.  A good website that gives examples of some typical speech problems is http:// www.hyperlexia.org/ sp1.html (take out the spaces).
It is also more likely that they will have difficulties learning either due to autism or other learning difficulties.  That isn't always the case, but is more likely.  Again you might find of the examples on the Health Page interesting.
However a diagnosis of 'autism' should make it easier for you to access supports because all too often children with Aspergers are considered 'able to cope' when infact they can't.
It is a hard diagnosis to take.  But it is not the end of the world.  At least you know what you are dealing with.  Let me know whereabouts you are so that we can send more specific information.
Feel free to private message me.
Regards,
Sally

[melangels]

hi ya sally thanks again for the information you keep giving me i am in the uk

kind regards mel

[Sally44]

Ok, so you're in the UK.  I haven't searched through your posts to get an idea of how old your daughter is.  Whether she is at nursery or school you have got a better chance of getting a Statement of educational needs with a diagnosis of autism, as opposed to Aspergers.
Now that she has the diagnosis she should be having contact with a Speech and Language Therapist and access to an Educational Psychologist and Autism Advisory Teacher.  
Although a diagnosis feels like the end outcome, infact it is only the beginning (sorry!), and the journey continues.
She will need supports in place for her to access education whether she is at nursery or school.  If she's at school they usually put the children on School Action and then School Action plus.  She should have an Individual Education Plan which should set SMART (I think that stands for something like Simple, Measureable, Achieveable, ?????, Targets)targets that are monitored and reviewed by yourself and school.
If your child has alot of difficulties (speech, social, learning) and needs alot of support, then you should ask your Local Education Authority for an Assessment.  When they have assessed her they will inform you if your child is going to receive a Statement.
As part of the assessment You, the school, SALT, Ed Psych, AAT will be asked by the LEA to produce reports to help them decide if they agree to issue a Statement.  As her parents you can also provide your own independent reports.
A Statement is a legal document in the UK.  It will contain all your childs 'needs' in section 2 and in section 3 (by law), it should quantify hours of support in terms of staffing arrangements, professionals who will assess your daughter and review her progress.  It should identify every single one of her needs whether the LEA provides that particular therapy or not (that is not your problem), and section 3 should state how often Occupational Therapist (for example) will review your child and who will carry out the OT's programme and how often a week and how it will be monitored etc etc.
I cannot emphasis how important it is when you get to the Statement stage that you do not sign or agree to it if it does not contain ALL of the info I have mentioned above.
You can get in touch with an advocacy service, the National Autistic Societies Statementing/Tribunal service or appoint your own specialist solicitor to advise you.
Got to go and play soldiers with my son, I promised!
Post back if you want more info.
Also get in touch with the Parent Partnership through your local council as they can accompany you to any meetings and can advise you as well.
Also join a parent support group so your daughter can meet and socialise with other children on the spectrum and you can get to meet other families in the same position.  They will have a wealth of information they can pass onto you.
Hope I've not bogged you down too much.
My son has just been issued with his Statement which I shall be appealing and we shall be off to tribunal in a few months.
If you private message me your email address I can send you an interesting article in the Guardian's Educational Supplement about the Statementing process.

[deester_s]

Can I just say something.  I have two children on the spectrum.  My daughter was diagnosed at 25months.  She just turned 9.  She has come so far.  It's worth all the work, money and time invested.  When my daughter got her diagnosis of classic autism she was marked as severe.

My daughter is by no way severe.  She can now carry on a conversation for a couple of exchanges.  You pretty much always know what she is saying or talking about.  She is quite verbal but doesn't have the gentle flow of the conversation that a typical would have.

Does she have issues?  yes.  They change over time some go away and don't come back and others come and go and even in intensity.  She is so loving and pure. They are each their own gift.

So please do what you need to and have to it'll be worth it.

Denise

[melangels]

my daughter is 10 years old i now have an appoinment with the autistic outreach team so i am hoping things might be a bit clearer when i have spoke to them thanks again for the information you left me

[melangels]

hi denise thanks for your coments i have been fighting for nearly 5 yrs for daughters diagnoisis i will do everythiing in my power to help as i no it is worth it in the long run i do no my daughter isnt classed as server but i am having a hard time at the moment cause she is so angry and frustrated as she dosnt no how to cope wil her feelings


all so my dauhgter is loving and oure and vanreble if thats how you spell it

thanks again mel