**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.

[krazy.kiwi]

((((hugs)))) pieces

You are right about the build up, all those little things would have been building the stress up nicely.

If it's any consolation, I usually find C to be fine after a meltdown, it's like he relieves the pressure for quite a while. (There better not be another for a while, his last one was his best/worst ever.)

[mindtoobusy]

Hi Everybody,
I'm here with a couple of questions hoping somebody can give ma some answers.

First off though, PNP, I had a laugh at Miss 4 - how clever. This leads me into one of my questions. I have a very close family member who is causing the family some angst. Miss 4 reminded me of how much this person was like that as a child - very bright and knew lots of stuff.

Short story - now an adult in early 30's, no job, which has been the situation since completing HSC, apart from short time casual work, so on Jobstart for ages. Started a few courses through TAFE, but never completed, very immature socially, single. Question is, does Centrelink use their counsellors/social workers or whatever their title, to refer people for testing for Aspergers/Autism, as this person displays many symptoms. Very sad and frustrating at the same time to watch this life unfolding and nothing happening if YKWIM. Has been spoken to about testing, but says not enough money to be tested ($400??).

Above info leads to the 2nd Question - a hardie - how does one get a person to say to Centrelink - all this job searching, short time casual work from one part of the city to the other, and courses through Centrelink that lead nowhere is too hard for me. Can I get any help from somebody in Centrelink to be assessed to see if I have a problem/s, and maybe get on a disability pension at least until I get myself together a bit?

One of our son-in-laws has some form of autism - think Aspergers, but he won't talk about it ever since our daughter was going to attend a support group - said he didn't have it, despite him telling her he did before they got married, and that's why he was like he is. He also has other mental and physical issues, so very difficult to deal with and I know in my heart our daughter isn't as happy as she would like to be (her 2nd marriage - she is a rescuer!!!). Even his parents are concerned but we've never discussed the Autism with them, as they haven't mentioned it to us. They have said he was a difficult child and realise he is a difficult husband. He doesn't like us, but his parents do, so that's a plus!!! Unfortunately they live in another country, but we do have some contact them.

I salute all of you as you deal with difficult situations with your children, grandchildren and others - haven't read through all the thread yet, but will.

Take Care and if anybody has any answers or suggestions it would be great, as I'm at the stage I want to do something to help this person, and if the timing is correct, I think I or my OH may be the ones to do it.

[krazy.kiwi]

I don't know about adult diagnosis, but it is possible for kids to be diagnosed through the public system here in Vic.

When I was asking though (6 years ago), there was an 18 month wait. At that stage there was a 3 month wait to get ito a private paed. Now to get into the paed I see as a new patient, you have to wait close to 18 months. 😮 Lord only knows how bad the public list is now then.

You would be better off talking to a good GP about your options for assessment than Centrelink.

[islandretro]

I know someone in a similar situation to that described, also in his early 30s. He was referred eventually to a psychologist under the Allied Health Medicare plan by his GP, for the maximum 18 visits, and he was able to negotiate a low co payment with the psych so he could afford to go to the appts. Towards the end of this he applied to Centrelink for a DSP. He had supporting reports re his mental and physical health from the GP and from the psychologist, these plus his interview with the Centrelink Job Assessor were enough to get a disability pension.

He wasn't tested for ASD, a diagnosis of ASD would not be sufficient for a pension, the person needs to be able to show actual mental health and/or physical health reasons as to why they can't work. There are many people with ASD diagnoses who are able to work in some capacity, it is those with debilitating anxiety/depression/other issues who are put on pensions. If he falls into this category then he needs reports from various professionals to support his application

cheers
Rae

[catsnknots]

Mindtoobusy.. go to your Mental Health Unit, usually based at your local hospital. Try a google search for "mental health unit" and your suburb.

They are there to help you and if he is found to have a problem they can issue a medical certificate for centerlink and then he can be referred to their social workers for more guidance on what to do.

You can also go right into centerlink and ask to see the social worker. They might also be able to direct you on where to go first.

[dazzlejazz]

I just wanted to ask you knowledgeable people out there - is it important to be officially diagnosed?
We've had a lot of difficult times with our son (13) and finally, after just Googling and reading info on AS in the last couple of months I had those "Oh my God, yes, that's him!" moments (and lots of tears).
I printed out information and my OH read it first and had the very same thoughts.
We then showed the information to our son who ticked and underlined all of the things he thought were like him. Of course he knew.
Now we have the knowledge I feel so much better about being able to actually help him. I do feel like we're on the bottom rung but at least we've started to climb the ladder!

[azureline**]

We are in the process of assessments with a 4 yo. I have come to the conclusion that it is important, a whole range of assistance is available with that diagnosis. 🙂

[islandretro]

dazzlejazz, it is important so that the child can get the appropriate support in school, and the appropriate support and therapy outside as well, for example, my ds went through a Social Skills program at UQ, CBT at CYMHS for his anxiety, OT assessments etc.

If the school is aware of the diagnosis then they should (theoretically) know how to cope with the various problems that arise. It also allows for special considerations academically if needed - my ds is still receiving support at uni - for example his counsellor liaises with lecturers and tutors and they are aware of what is behind his "differences". The university has a number of ASD students it supports in this way.

So IMO it is important for the child to be diagnosed if their problems are impacting on how well they are able to reach their potential.

cheers
Rae

[dazzlejazz]

Thanks Rae for your reply. We actually homeschool our son (and his sister) so we don't have to worry about that side of things! Good to know that the support is there though for the possibility of further learning in the future.
Thanks again and can I just say this is a terrific thread and I'll be coming back on a regular basis to have an ear-wig and a chin-wag!!

[bella_again]

Hi Dazzle 🙂
I think it depends ont he individual. Some see a label as having a negative impact on later life, others see having a diagnosis as empowerment.

I've also homeschooled for over 5 years f/t although this year DD's are all at school either full time or p/t. From a homeschoolers perspective a diagnosis was helpful in terms of funding. We were eligible for isolated children s assistance on medical grounds which helped us to fund a number of therapies and activities for the girls.

We also were eligible for carer allowance which helped with a number of modifications ie purchasing computer programs, lap tops some assisted equipment in the house etc.

That aside from a personal perspective I found finding out what my girls issues were empowering, it gave me the ability to research and make modifications to curriculum etc based on what would best suit the girls in terms of learning styles and based on assessments.

At the end of the day its what works for you and your family unit 🙂 Take care and lovely to meet you 🙂