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• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Sandy - Interview 1 >> Sandy read a leaflet and found that Joseph had about seven of the eight autism traits listed so was prepared to receive the diagnosis.

Sandy’s older son, Joseph, aged 8, was diagnosed with autism one month before his second birthday. Her younger son, Adam, aged 6, was diagnosed with autism aged eighteen months. Both boys attend a special school which they enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Sandy - Interview 1 >> Sandy’s two sons have very different personalities and she found getting the second diagnosis particularly upsetting.

Sandy’s older son, Joseph, aged 8, was diagnosed with autism one month before his second birthday. Her younger son, Adam, aged 6, was diagnosed with autism aged eighteen months. Both boys attend a special school which they enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Daniel - Interview 7 >> Daniel describes how he felt when Jonathan was diagnosed.

Daniel’s son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with autism in association with hyperlexia when he was aged 4. Daniel has home-schooled his son for the past four years.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Sandy - Interview 1 >> Sandy went straight to the paediatrician when she suspected her second son may be on the autism spectrum.

Sandy’s older son, Joseph, aged 8, was diagnosed with autism one month before his second birthday. Her younger son, Adam, aged 6, was diagnosed with autism aged eighteen months. Both boys attend a special school which they enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Paula - Interview 5 >> Paula felt “incredible relief” to get the diagnosis as she had been questioning her parenting ability.

Paula’s older son Alex was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago and her younger son David has been diagnosed with ADD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, agitated depression, speech dyspraxia and Asperger syndrome over the years. Both boys attend a mainstream secondary school and Paula is still trying to organize appropriate support for David.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Paula - Interview 5 >> Paula describes a part of the process of getting her sons diagnosed which went on for several years.

Paula’s older son Alex was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome two years ago and her younger son David has been diagnosed with ADD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, agitated depression, speech dyspraxia and Asperger syndrome over the years. Both boys attend a mainstream secondary school and Paula is still trying to organize appropriate support for David.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Daryll - Interview 6 >> Darryl ordered some books about Asperger syndrome and read bits to her daughter who was relieved that she “was not mad”.

Daryll’s daughter Tiffany was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 14 and is waiting for an agreement by social services to fund her social care during university.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Rachel - Interview 8 >> Rachel was relieved to get the diagnosis but then found herself frightened about the long-term implications for her son.

Rachel’s sons, Thomas and Matthew, have both been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. They both attend a mainstream primary school with support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Rachel - Interview 8 >> Rachel found that everything became ten times easier once her boys were diagnosed and health professionals have been “great”.

Rachel’s sons, Thomas and Matthew, have both been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. They both attend a mainstream primary school with support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Dot - Interview 9 >> Dot felt the diagnosis would make everyone take her seriously at last and when she got home phoned everyone to tell them the news.

Dot’s son Joe was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 7 years old. He attends a specialist Asperger Unit which is on the site of a mainstream secondary school and he is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Dot - Interview 9 >> Dot thought her son had hurt himself when a student teacher suggested she take him to the doctor.

Dot’s son Joe was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 7 years old. He attends a specialist Asperger Unit which is on the site of a mainstream secondary school and he is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Caron - Interview 15 >> Caron was not listened to for so long and feels let down.

Caron’s son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism when he was three. He attends a mainstream primary school but Caron worries that he is not receiving appropriate support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Rosie - Interview 18 >> Rosie describes receiving the diagnosis.

Rosie’s son, Sam, was originally diagnosed with dyspraxia and then with autism when he was five years old. He attends a special school which has a specialist autism unit which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Katrina - Interview 11 >> Katrina attended a three week assessment with her son.

Katrina’s son, Callum was diagnosed with atypical autism when he was four years old. Callum has been home schooled for the past couple of years after negative experiences in the education system. He is having cognitive behaviour therapy to help him overcome his fears and anxieties.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Katrina - Interview 11 >> Katrina says “there is hope and we are very blessed because I think they are very special children.”

Katrina’s son, Callum was diagnosed with atypical autism when he was four years old. Callum has been home schooled for the past couple of years after negative experiences in the education system. He is having cognitive behaviour therapy to help him overcome his fears and anxieties.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Helen and Jason - Interview 12 >> A reception teacher helped Helen and Jim to get the diagnosis but they should not have needed to push so hard.

Helen and Jason’s older son,Joshua, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was five years old. He attends the local mainstream primary school but his parents are worried about his education and would like to find specialist provision for him.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Tracy - Interview 13 >> Tracy describes her experience of getting her daughter’s diagnosis.

Tracy’s daughter, Nicola, was diagnosed with autism when she was six years old. Nicola is currently at a college for further education and will start working at the local hospital radio station when she finishes her course.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Jane and Dan - Interview 57 >> Jane and Dan talk about feeling upset and frustrated about their son’s diagnosis.

Jane and Dan’s son was diagnosed with autism six months ago. He has a sleep disorder and has some difficulties eating food.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Tracy - Interview 13 >> Tracy experienced ‘waves of euphoria and fear’ when her daughter was diagnosed and still feels her emotions are in turmoil over ten years later.

Tracy’s daughter, Nicola, was diagnosed with autism when she was six years old. Nicola is currently at a college for further education and will start working at the local hospital radio station when she finishes her course.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki struggled with feelings of guilt and anxiety about Tyler’s future for 18 months after receiving the diagnosis.

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki received good advice from another parent soon after her son’s diagnosis.

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Nicki and Mark - Interview 14 >> Nicki and Mark experienced a straightforward process of getting a diagnosis after nursery staff suggested their son was displaying autistic tendencies

Nicki and Mark’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with autism when he was four years old. He attends a special school and they are delighted with his progress.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Caron - Interview 15 >> Caron repeatedly took her son to see health professionals but she wasn’t listened to until her son reacted badly to his new baby brother.

Caron’s son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism when he was three. He attends a mainstream primary school but Caron worries that he is not receiving appropriate support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Caron - Interview 15 >> Caron would have liked more information at diagnosis rather than being told to go home and cope with it.

Caron’s son, Leo, was diagnosed with autism when he was three. He attends a mainstream primary school but Caron worries that he is not receiving appropriate support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Catherine - Interview 16 >> Catherine describes how a comment made by a neurologist made a big difference to her. It was important to hear about treatment options when the diagno

Catherine and her husband have two teenaged daughters, both of whom have been diagnosed with autism. Catherine has homeschooled her daughters using an ABA programme for several years.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Christine - Interview 20 >> Christine didn’t want to believe her son had autism because he had been misdiagnosed many years before.

Christine’s son, Brian, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome four years ago after being wrongly diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 14. He lives at home now after years in a residential home and attends an autism day centre during the week.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Karen - Interview 23 >> A psychologist sitting in on a family counselling session suggested that Nicole may have Asperger syndrome.

Karen’s old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 10 years old. She has since been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and her mother has removed her from school because appropriate support was not provided.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Karen - Interview 23 >> Karen started a support group as the existing one was for parents of pre-school children.

Karen’s old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 10 years old. She has since been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and her mother has removed her from school because appropriate support was not provided.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann felt devastated when her son was diagnosed but came to recognise that what mattered most was for him to be happy.

Mary-Anne’s son, Arthur, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Tourettes syndrome and elements of ADHD and OCD three years ago. He attends a special school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann burst into tears when special schooling was first suggested but it has made a ‘huge difference’ to Arthur.

Mary-Anne’s son, Arthur, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Tourettes syndrome and elements of ADHD and OCD three years ago. He attends a special school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Mary-Anne - Interview 25 >> Mary-Ann found the doctor’s bluntness about Arthur’s future helpful and she needed to be told that he may not “become normal”.

Mary-Anne’s son, Arthur, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, Tourettes syndrome and elements of ADHD and OCD three years ago. He attends a special school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Amanda - Interview 29 >> Amanda was pleased with the information pack she was given.

Amanda’s two children have both been diagnosed with autism. They attend a special school for children with moderate learning difficulties which they both enjoy.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Ciaran - Interview 26 >> Ciaran thinks that budget restrictions on services can be an abuse of human rights.

Ciaran’s son was diagnosed with autism eight years ago and also has epilepsy and dyspraxia. He is currently doing a course at a college of further education but Ciaran worries about what he will do next.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Jane - Interview 27 >> Jane’s son was diagnosed within minutes by the paediatrician.

Jane’s son, John, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was 9 years old. He is at a mainstream secondary school and hopes to study augmentation, artificial limbs and electronics at university.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Tony and Alison - Interview 28 >> Alison and Tony had gone to the doctor’s on several occasions but were told not to worry; their child would ‘be all right’.

Tony and Alison’s son, Nathan, was diagnosed with autism three years ago. He is currently in a mainstream primary school and will move to a special school for his secondary education.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Bobbi - Interview 30 >> Bobbi found the process of getting a diagnosis ‘incredibly frustrating’.

Bobbi’s younger son, Charlie, was diagnosed with autism when he was five. He attends a local primary school with support and is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Tony and Alison - Interview 28 >> Alison used to read information about autism she was given when her son was diagnosed in bed in tears.

Tony and Alison’s son, Nathan, was diagnosed with autism three years ago. He is currently in a mainstream primary school and will move to a special school for his secondary education.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui talks about how different health professionals use different labels for the same disorder.

Five of Jacqui’s children are on the autistic spectrum and, as they have grown older, Jacqui has found that adult services have few resources and there is no support to help ease her children into employment.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui describes how the autism spectrum is not stagnant and children move along it, doing the “auti-two-step’.

Five of Jacqui’s children are on the autistic spectrum and, as they have grown older, Jacqui has found that adult services have few resources and there is no support to help ease her children into employment.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Jacqui - Interview 31 >> Jacqui talks about how terms have changed over the years and how her son was originally labelled with “clumsy child syndrome”.

Five of Jacqui’s children are on the autistic spectrum and, as they have grown older, Jacqui has found that adult services have few resources and there is no support to help ease her children into employment.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Nick and Vikki - Interview 34 >> Nick and Vikki thought their son was gifted until they went to his first parent’s evening at school.

Nick and Vikki’s younger son, Peter, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was five years old. He attends a specialist resourced provision attached to a mainstream primary school which he enjoys.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Carolann - Interview 36 >> Carolann felt vindicated on receiving the diagnosis because she was not “mad, bad or sad” and neither was her daughter.

Carolann’s daughter, Nita, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 14. Nita has written a book about her experiences, had some unsuccessful experiences at university and is currently teaching herself Russian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> Carolann - Interview 36 >> Carolann describes how “the social times that other children love” terrified her daughter.

Carolann’s daughter, Nita, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when she was 14. Nita has written a book about her experiences, had some unsuccessful experiences at university and is currently teaching herself Russian, Japanese, Spanish and Chinese.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age under 6 >> Clare - Interview 40 >> Clare has found the support from an autism outreach service has helped bring her son on.

Clare’s younger son, Joshua, was diagnosed with autism just before his second birthday. Clare has used various interventions and therapies and Joshua attends a combination of special and mainstream nursery provision.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Helen - Interview 41 >> The clinical psychologist gave the diagnosis gently but “did not hold back” which Helen thought was the best way to do it.

Helen’s older son, Joseph, was diagnosed with autism when he was 7 years old. Joseph now attends an independent church school after a negative experience in a mainstream primary school and is making good progress with appropriate support.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Interview 46: Jeanine describes how the diagnosis was given with her son present and she doesn’t know how she managed to drive home afterwards.

Jeanine’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Jeanine - Interview 46 >> Jeanine's daughter has benefited from having a brother like Robert but has found it difficult to understand his diagnosis.

Jeanine’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and has made good progress at school.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 18+ >> John and Lynne - Interview 47 >> Lynne sees autism as ‘a signpost’ which indicates her son has a right to extra support.

John and Lynne’s younger son, Gavin, was diagnosed with autism when he was 14 years old. He lives in a residential facility attached to his old school and John and Lynne feel he has had excellent support over the years.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 12-17 >> Joy - Interview 48 >> Joy found the period after getting the diagnosis confusing and found it too painful to discuss with people.

Joy’s son was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was six years old. He attends a mainstream secondary school and is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Bobbi - Interview 30 >> Bobbi describes getting the diagnosis as ‘light bulb moments going off all over the place’.

Bobbi’s younger son, Charlie, was diagnosed with autism when he was five. He attends a local primary school with support and is getting on very well.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Nuala - Interview 56 >> Nuala found the three hour interview illuminating - it pointed to things that were different about her son.

Nuala’s son, Robert, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome when he was eight years old. He attends a mainstream primary school with support and is now much happier and settled.

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Age 6-11 >> Tony and Alison - Interview 28 >> Alison and Tony felt differently about the diagnosis; Tony says it was cold comfort, while Alison felt more emotional.

Tony and Alison’s son, Nathan, was diagnosed with autism three years ago. He is currently in a mainstream primary school and will move to a special school for his secondary education.

• Topic
• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Feelings about diagnosis >> Feelings about diagnosis

Feelings about diagnosis

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Feelings about diagnosis >> Feelings about diagnosis

Feelings about diagnosis

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Getting a diagnosis; referrals >> Getting a diagnosis; referrals

Getting a diagnosis; referrals

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Getting a diagnosis; referrals >> Getting a diagnosis; referrals

Getting a diagnosis; referrals

• Autism >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Getting a diagnosis; assessment and being told >> Getting a diagnosis; assessment and being told

Getting a diagnosis; assessment and being told

• >> Parents of children on the Autism Spectrum >> Getting a diagnosis; assessment and being told >> Getting a diagnosis; assessment and being told

Getting a diagnosis; assessment and being told