UK Parent: new here, but not to ASD. Our challenges.

Post Reply New Topic

Hi Folks,

I am new on here and posted on the intro forum but thought I'd say hello here and give some extra detail.

My son was diagnosed with Aspergers about 7/8 years ago (that's not a good first impression I should know exactly!!). My son is now 15. My daughter is 12 with a diagnosis pending. To complicate our lives a little I live with an auto immune illness almost identical to MS.

I initially came here to look for support for my daughter as she is struggling badly. My son has worked through his biggest difficulties so far. My daughter is very anxious and we though for a long time that her issues were down 'simply' to anxiety as it is something my mother suffers from. She also outwardly showed so much empathy we didn't really consider ASD but recently learned about how differently girls present and now it seems so obvious. Both the kids are smart, caring and great funny people. I couldn't be prouder and am happy for people to know my son has Aspergers and it won't be any different when my daughter gets her diagnosis.

I raise my condition as it is understandably a source of my daughters anxiety and has become the main issue I would say, although the social side of school is also hard. Socially things are slowly improving but my problems won't ever go away and it is hard to know how best to help her. I can get quite bad in terms of my mobility and with fatigue and in general I have worsened. It's to a level where both the kids can be considered carers. I've so far failed to mention my wife who looks after us all and holds down a fairly stressful job, which is probably a decent escape for her at times. My wife is pretty amazing and I'm glad to say we all come together pretty well and support each other.

Anyway my daughter is really finding things hard and we are seeking both psychiatric help and just starting on CBT, which looks positive. We understand a lot about ASD and I've even formally studied it but my I think my daughter may be depressed and self harming is in the picture also. These are two things that we have no experience of and we've been kinda lost on the subject although she is at least now talking to us. We've read up on things but the combination of everything makes us question which advice is most appropriate. She has had some counciling but this week finally gets her first proper appointment with a psychiatrist.

Anyway this is far more than I planned to write as an intro, but please expect lots of dumb questions and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Statto

Welcome to Wrong Planet. It sounds like you have two great kids that you love and love you. I am sorry to hear about the rough road you and your daughter are on right now. My guy is 4 so I really have no advice, except to listen to the other parents around here. They are really knowledgeable and many have walked similar struggles.

I will just offer my welcome and support.

Welcome.

Thanks guys. I picked a great day to join, what an afternoon I've had My little girl had a bit of a melt down and I had to get her from school. We had a good talk which went well but I'm pretty sure half of it has been forgotten already. I now also have a meeting with the schools safe guarding officer in the morning. Boooo. Oh well, we march on together no matter how tough it is.