**AUTISM / ASPERGERS SUPPORT GROUP**

[doll*obsession]

A safe place for all members with friends or family with ASD

Come and have a cuppa, share your joys, and vent your problems with other people who understand.

[islandretro]

good luck with the dx roundabout Michelle. at least you have BTDT with Darcy but I guess that doesn't make it any easier.

We went back to school at the beginning of the week here in Qld. Only 3 weeks till Mr16 starts his final Yr 12 exams and then school is all over for him - I can't believe it! the wait for results and then uni offers is going to be a nightmare! They have to wait until early January, much longer than normal Yr 12's.

The ASD thread seems to have lost all of is regular posters, not sure if they have left the forum or just the thread.

cheers
Rae

[krazy.kiwi]

I'm here, just haven't had much to say lately :-x

Mapalarkin, I'm glad you are getting Darcy's diagnosis sorted out, it should help a lot.

Islandretro, how scarey but exciting too - the end of high school!! 🙂

[bella_again]

Hello everyone, I wondered where you all were!

Thinking of you Michelle:-x

*waves to Rae* wow what an achievement, you have done wonderfully with your son!

Hey Krazy 🙂 good to see you are still about...

Well my crazy situation blew over, thank goodness. I'm still off for a few days away to see my regular Pead on the 20th. Can't wait to catch up with my friends at the same time.

[wolette.mk2]

I'm officially annoyed with the Ed Dept in SA, especially with the minister.

On Friday, during a radio interview on the Leon Byner show, she stated that she would love to put more money into helping children with Autism that don't qualify for Federal assistance because they are of school age, but she said there is 'only just so much money to go around and she has to make hard decisions about where the money is spent. She then went on to say that she would love to put more money into supporting children with ASD within the school system but there isn't enough money to go around.

Well, the SA govt should put more money into the education system, because kids with ASD should not go without support or with little support because there isn't enough money. Why isn't she lobbying the state govt for more money?

Early intervention is integral in helping children with
ASD BUT, like politicians so often forget, children with ASD need ongoing support, some of them for life and Carers Payment or Carers Allowance simply does not cover the cost of having a tutor outside of school hours.

:end rant:

[bella_again]

Exactly the excuse as to why my children didn't get funding in the system Wolette something to do with prioritizing even though my girls also have an intellectual disability and autism. Sadly they consider any child who has little fuinding or funding cut a sucess story because according to them they now no longer require the same level of funding 😐

That is why they are now homeschooled. The whole funding based program needs an overhaul nation wide.

I swear most mums and dads could run the country with a hell of a lot more common sense than some of these pollies.

[wolette.mk2]

Sadly they consider any child who has little fuinding or funding cut a sucess story because according to them they now no longer require the same level of funding

This has happened to my little fella.

That is why they are now homeschooled. The whole funding based program needs an overhaul nation wide.

I would like to do this, but I'd have a fight on my hands both with the Ed Dept and his Paed, who thinks he's better at school because he will get social interaction.

Great lot of good that will do him, if he can't read and write properly.

[islandretro]

We are so lucky here in Qld in that regard, my young bloke was dx at age 7, ascertained through the Ed system as needing level 5 support, the 2nd highest and has been funded since for an aide, counselling and what ever else he has needed. He was identified as intellectually gifted at the same time, he has been in a selective school since Yr 10 and he has always had funding support which has been used for both his ASD and his academic needs.

He finishes Yr 12 in just a few weeks and he has never had his funding cut. He has been over to the the uni he hopes to attend and Disability Services there are going to be putting all sorts of supports in place for him there next year as well, as he is 2 yrs younger than most starting and well as ASD.

He has certainly struggled socially and organisationally throughout his schooling, including 3 yrs of homeschooling with Distance Ed as you know, I hate to think where he would be if we hadn't been able to access the support as he has needed it over the years.

[bella_again]

Oh Woleette that is sooo darn frustrating...

Ok they can not stop you applying to homeschool if you feel thats what you think is best for your little fella.

Great lot of good that will do him, if he can't read and write properly.

That was the problem with my girls, they couldn't do anything or keep up with the educational outcomes. End result left scribbling, being bullied all in the name of socialisation.

btw both girls now read and write. Older girl with IQ of 43 has completed the Premiers Reading Challenge 3 years in a row.

If and only if you think its something that would benefit him why not again talk to the Pead & DET about a trial period.

btw they can not stop you applying. You could also consider Distance Education which is the states curriculum.

[wolette.mk2]

Thanks chit. I will keep all that in mind. He's only in yr1 and will have another guidance assessment at the end of next year.

He's in Junior Primary right now, but Yr 3 sees him in Big School and that is when I would make the move to home school him, if possible.

[aphroditebathandbody]

Im still here and reading everyones comments.
I dont know I still feel like I want to pull out my hair everyday just the frustration of it all....not being able to help my son as much as I should be able to.
As my son gets older he seems to be getting worse.

Anyway when school holidays finish and the kids go back he starts at an ED unit at a new school.
As much as hes terrified he is also really excited....I am too but I really hope it works for him otherwise I dont know what we're going to do.

My son is now seeing a child psychiatrist as well.