My name is Heather. I am thankful for groups like these! I have a 6
year old son with AS. The road to this diagnosis was a very tough
one...over the last couple of years especially. We received the
diagnosis in Feb this year. I am actually thankful for the
diagnosis, because now I can put a "label" on his behavior. I have
felt guilty and like a bad parent. I have felt that I have been
grasping at straws and reaching out to anyone who would help. I have
received many different diagnosis from therpaists, etc that
suggested ODD, ADD, ADHD and the like. I have always rejected them,
because my little guy is not truly any one of these things at all
times. (And sometimes not at all).
I am blessed for many reasons:
1.TERRIFIC IEP team!! I challenge them regularly and they always
appreciate that, actually!
2.I live 11 miles from the TEACCH center in Chapel Hill, NC-we just
had the full eval and we are IN!
3. My son has attended a classroom for AS (and similar disabilities)
children about 3 miles from the TEACCH center. There are 5 children
in the class and two teachers.
So, now all I need is a little support from my AS parent-friends. I
am told by TEACCH that I cannot take priveleges away from
or "punish" my boy. This is just unbelievable to most (including my
husband and his g-pa).
I can be helpful also, because I am quite the advocate for my son in
regard to the school system. I have had many a challenge with our
school Superintendant and am very familiar with working with the
Dept of Public Instruction.
Thanks very much for allowing me to introduce myself.