DS is being sent for assessment for ASD, what to expect?

[Peridot]

Marti, hope you don't mind me saying and hope it doesn't sound too negative but I could've said exactly the same about Thomas when he was 2, I remember saying how full of energy he was all day but at least he slept 7-7, then at 3 it's like he literally forgot how to fall asleep And started needing a LOT less sleep... Some nights he goes to bed at 9 and is wide awake by 3 But that is rare.
we do have medication provided for when things are difficult, melatonin is a supplement that is amazing... (suzie not sure if you've heard about it) it can only be prescribed through a peadtrician in the UK but you can buy it over the counter in the US (which dh does when he's over that as our pead said its really expensive on the NHS so I don't mind) we're also prescribed phenergan for the times when we just need some sleep (just a strong anti histimine)
Apparently melatonin is a hormone which will all have that tells us when we are tired but children with autism tend not to have enough... The results are pretty amazing, within about 20 mins of taking it, Thomas is sparko! But we try to only use it when we need to because we don't want him to have to rely on it.

The DLA form, find out if there is carers support in your area, suzie your experience sounds much like mine, diagnosis done, big fat info pack - see ya later! You really have to dig for support from now. Places like national autistic society (apply for a place on the earlybirds course if you can through them) partnership with parents, looking at your local council website for carers support are good places to start.
the carers support in my area helped me fill out the DLA form, it's very depressing because you have to write it in a worst case scenario to get listened to. It's very disheartening to have to talk so negatively about your child all the time but I've learnt it's the best way to get support and the DLA and carers allowance can make life so much easier.

Marti, I'm sorry you're feeling low at the moment to be honest, with me, I've only managed to properly accept things in this last year & t was diagnosed 3 years ago. But your little man does love you and need you, prob more than your girls - you're the biggest constant in his life. You just have to remember that he will show his love for you differently to your girls, little things like you'll be the only one he'll make any eye contact with, or the only one he let's play a game with him etc. the earlybirds course is really good for showing you things like this.

I can't remember that much what an ed psych does when your little one is so young, at the moment with Thomas they go into his classroom and suggest ways that make it easier for him to learn.... Things like he has a work station with no distractions around him, ear defenders should he need them, they suggest he sits up on a chair rather than on the rug during time in class when they all sit on the carpet as it can be too distrating for him. Ideas for social stories. They could test Thomas's Maths abilities in a way that he didn't have to be verbal and see how capable he was etc. I guess for a 2 year old it would probably be suggesting things like social stories and a visual timetable and seeing how he responds to them. From an assessment point of view the ed psych will be able to see the things J can't do in the way he responds to toys and learning through toys, things like building blocks and imaginative play like tea sets etc and knowing different colours (have never understood this one but it seems common in autistic kids)
It is negative because they basically have to concentrate on the things your child can't do in order to make a plan of how to achieve those things. No parent of "normal" children has to go through hearing a list of what their child can't do, it can be disheartening but you just have to keep in mind it means that support will be put in place and that's the biggest thing with asd, an asd child will always have autism but with enough of the right support they may go on to live as much a fulfilling live as some one without asd. They is hope and there is progress with asd, it's not a static condition with limits of what your child can achieve and that what you have to hold on to xx

[Suziewoos]

Hello Marti, how are you doing? Thank you for the welcome :) The Psych I think worked out how Beanie played with the toys and how she was or was not able to switch from one toy/play to another toy and how she reacted to other people in the room/eye contact/general behaviour etc

Thank you for info Peridot. We are on the waiting list for Earlybird - there is no room at the Inn for that for us as the moment. There have been cut backs (where have there not been?!) so funding has been pulled for part of our local NAS Family Support Service that would have covered us.

I have been invited on a sleep session and I have found PIP (Parents in Partnership) who offer support and councilling.

I must fill in the I count form, just need to get around that. That is all I have done -sigh

Still waiting for actual report from Diagnosis appointment, so that will hit me around the head when it comes!