Resources for Children with Autism

AussieDolphin on 19/03/2017 - 11:23
Last edited 29/04/2017 - 12:11 by 1 other user

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum.

My 6-year-old son was recently diagnosed with Autism. I am still awaiting the psychology report so I don't know exactly where he is on the scale. He is seeing a lovely OT and she has suggested a variety of resources for home use.

The diagnosis has come as a shock to me and I would really like to help my son by implementing resources that will help him. If you are a parent/carer of a child with Autism or know someone who is are there any resources that you could recommend? Something you wish you had purchased? Maybe something you can't live without?

I would be grateful for any links to resources or any advice that you may have. Educating myself is going to take a little while.

Thank you.

Edited to add that I am registered with AutismNT and my son is in receipt of government funding.

• 

  holdenmg on 19/03/2017 - 11:28

  +1

  Hi,
  Checkout http://autismnt.org.au/
  and
  http://autismnt.org.au/support/

  • 

    AussieDolphin on 19/03/2017 - 11:30

    Thank you. I've just edited my post to mention that I am registered with AutismNT although I haven't looked at their webpage until now.

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  nakahanap on 28/03/2017 - 20:03

  +1

  www.amaze.org.au - a really great resource.

  As for specific resources, that really depends on your child and their needs. What works for one may not for another. Your child's school will be able to help with ideas.

  Make sure you yourself have a good suppprt network - it takes time to process a diagnosis like this and it could be good to have others who know where you are coming from.

  Good luck

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  sandman87 on 04/04/2017 - 17:45

  +1

  Can't really provide you with resources, but I can recommend something you can do to help you come to terms with and understand this diagnosis. I had a conversation with an educator with a great deal of professional experience working with autistic children. She said to me that many people view autism as a linear scale - 1 being not autistic and 10 being severely autistic. The thing is, each autistic person is different in so many ways. Its better to view it more as a colour wheel scale. Every person, regardless of whether they are autistic or not has a range of strengths and weaknesses. Some people are excellent communicators, others are poor at listening. Autistic people are the same. Each autistic person has their range of strengths and abilities, as well as areas where they may not be as able as their peers. I suppose what I'm trying to say is, trying to put your child onto a scale and expecting they will act and live as the scale says they will, might not be helpful and can potentially make you view their shortcomings rather than their strengths. I hope this helps you in some way as you make choices for your child.

  • 

    AussieDolphin on 04/04/2017 - 21:14

    Hi there, this is very helpful. Thank you for your insight.

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  [Deactivated] on 07/04/2017 - 13:39

  +1

  AussieDolphin, I wish you and your son all the best on this journey. As he was diagnosed at age 6 you have just been royally screwed over by the government (I think it's age 6). We were anyway. Earlier and you get $3k per year to use as you wish. We get zip.

  EDIT just reread re funding - Is it NDIS? If so good for you - we have to wait until 2019.

  My son is now 11 and was diagnosed at 6. Here are my tips:

  1. Do not fall in with the anti-medication crowd. They will do anything to keep your son from the best that medical science has (and there's no silver bullet) developed thus far.

  2. Find a paediatrician that you trust. See point 1. This may result in you travelling 50 minutes across town like we do.

  3. Go to your GP and get referred to the public system for a Paediatrician, OT, Psychologist (VERY IMPORTANT), and in the meantime engage with the private market.

  4. If you are struggling financially ask private practitioners for help. If they won't you are seeing the wrong practitioner.

  5. Look after you and your partner's own mental health. You will go through a lot of stress. If you have family help use them for respite. If they are unhelpful or judgemental (my wife's are), then avoid only emergency assistance.

  6. Your son doesn't know what's going on. Vague reasons for seeing docotors don't help. Decide when the right time to sit down and explain it to him is. (We chose 10). There's an aweeome way if you google it involving writing down some of your challenges and strengths and then his, ans then write down Autism. My some said 'You just blew my mind!" and the conversation goes from there. If falls into place for them then.

  7. Parenting courses are a load of crap and aimed at those with toddlers.

  Good luck. I wish you well. Remember during the hard times, there will also be rewarding moments. I often think I'm not a good enough parent to have been chosen for this life. I just try my best.

  • 

    AussieDolphin on 07/04/2017 - 20:18

    +1

    Hi There,

    Thank you for your reply. My son just qualified for the Helping Children with Autism Package. It is only a once off $12,000 for 1 year. This is kept in a trust fund and every time he goes to the OT or speech pathologist the amount is deducted from his fund. I have recently taken him to a Dietician and I will be soon taking him to a psychologist. I don't know too much about the NDIS but I do hope it will be something I can access for him when the funding runs out in January next year. I divorced last year and my son is in shared care. This is not easy and he has a lot of anxiety when it comes to change over day.

    The diagnosis has been overwhelming and heartbreaking but at the same time I now know that my little boy has challenges and I love him all the same.

    Wishing you all the best.

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  hopper on 04/11/2017 - 16:23

  Hi, I'm from Melbourne and my son 21 months old. We currently can see few symptoms of autism. Waiting for pediatrician appointment. Is the above link is for nt residents only? Would there be any aid i can apply if results show he has autism? Thx. Currently in confused state and trying to gather information from different sources.