It's been three years to the week since I first approached the kids then teacher, who was also the school SenCo with some hazy concerns about the kids general demeanour, her academic ability and the simple fact that something didn't sit 'right'. I asked for her to be seen by the educational psychologist, because the school needed to be able to support her learning and I needed to know for my own peace of mind that I wasn't just imagining there being something distinctly different about the way she coped. About the way she was so stressed, so unable to just coast through the term. I thought that her teacher being the senco would mean she would see what I saw. But no, I was told ash had no problems at school. That it was only when kids showed behavioural problems in the classroom or was a disturbance to other kids that there was reason for any other professionals to even look at them. Basically, she was so well behaved at school, she didn't bother anyone else. There was no problem at school. It was my problem at home not the schools. There began feeling like the worst parent ever. It was me and her at home, that was the problem. I almost believed it!
The first week of October I read about Aspergers. I read a few lines of a case example which could have been written as a fly on the wall of the kid on the first of October. And it sparked a lightbulb, cannon ball moment of 'this kid fits this profile. For the first time ever she fits a profile'.
So last week I finally had the first stage of the kids ASD assessment. A parent only two hour session of talking to two lovely lovely ladies. All the experience of a stuffy pedeatrician (sp??), went straight out of the window as I felt like I could really open up with answering their questions. They were non judgemental, really made the effort to understand our situation and circumstances and totally made me talk more than I might have been willing to otherwise.
It was quite overwhelming, long and brought up a lot of stuff that was buried from our lives so I came home feeling quite like I had dug up a load of stuff that was better left forgotten. And glad that they wanted to see and meet her for themselves. I did question then about which assessment would be used and how they identify girls from boys.
This Monday we finally the kids assessment. Part of me is hoping that they really do have the skills to see the girls traits, her coping mechanisms, the cover up. Because I know in my heart of hearts that she sits on the spectrum. It makes her make sense. I hope it's not all been in vain. It sounds odd that I 'want' a diagnosis. If it's appropriate. I need to be able to advocate for the help she'll need to fulfill her potential. To cope with every day life and situations. To be OK within herself.
The kids been adamant she doesn't have aspergers, despite agreeing with much of what has been read, and even elaborating on some of the points with her own experiences. She's accepted having the assessment at least, her biggest concern is having to take a day off school...
The first week of October I read about Aspergers. I read a few lines of a case example which could have been written as a fly on the wall of the kid on the first of October. And it sparked a lightbulb, cannon ball moment of 'this kid fits this profile. For the first time ever she fits a profile'.
So last week I finally had the first stage of the kids ASD assessment. A parent only two hour session of talking to two lovely lovely ladies. All the experience of a stuffy pedeatrician (sp??), went straight out of the window as I felt like I could really open up with answering their questions. They were non judgemental, really made the effort to understand our situation and circumstances and totally made me talk more than I might have been willing to otherwise.
It was quite overwhelming, long and brought up a lot of stuff that was buried from our lives so I came home feeling quite like I had dug up a load of stuff that was better left forgotten. And glad that they wanted to see and meet her for themselves. I did question then about which assessment would be used and how they identify girls from boys.
This Monday we finally the kids assessment. Part of me is hoping that they really do have the skills to see the girls traits, her coping mechanisms, the cover up. Because I know in my heart of hearts that she sits on the spectrum. It makes her make sense. I hope it's not all been in vain. It sounds odd that I 'want' a diagnosis. If it's appropriate. I need to be able to advocate for the help she'll need to fulfill her potential. To cope with every day life and situations. To be OK within herself.
The kids been adamant she doesn't have aspergers, despite agreeing with much of what has been read, and even elaborating on some of the points with her own experiences. She's accepted having the assessment at least, her biggest concern is having to take a day off school...
