**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.

[azureline**]

I had the privilege of taking miss 5 to school today. School is small, less than 100 pupils and rural setting.

8am.... playground is full of children, no teachers etc in sight, so no supervision visible......until bell goes at 8.10am.

The children were all playing nicely, at least half of them came up and said good morning to miss and myself, then she asked me did I want to see a beautiful garden.......

We walked down the path and there it was.......a septic tank surrounded by trees, weeds and grass......:^O

[azureline**]

This was on my newsfeed this morning.

I am the child that looks healthy and fine.

I was born with ten fingers and toes but something is different, somewhere in my mind and what it is, nobody knows.
I am the child that struggles in school, though they say that I'm perfectly smart. They tell me I'm lazy -- can learn if I try -- But I don't seem to know where to start.
I am the child that won't wear the clothes which hurt me or bother my feet. I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells, and tastes -- there are few foods I'll eat.
I am the child that can't catch the ball And runs with an awkward gait. I am the one chosen last on the team and I cringe as I stand there and wait.
I am the child with whom no one will play -- The one that gets bullied and teased. I try to fit in and I want to be liked, but nothing I do seems to please.
I am the child that tantrums and freaks over things that seem petty and trite. You'll never know how I panic inside, when I'm lost in my anger and fright.
I am the child that fidgets and squirms though I'm told to sit still and be good. Do you think that I choose to be out of control? Don't you know that I would if I could?
I am the child with the broken heart though I act like I don't really care. Perhaps there's a reason God made me this way -- Some message he sent me to share.
For I am the child that needs to be loved and accepted and valued too.

I am the child that is misunderstood.

I am different - but look just like you.

[catsnknots]

http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/view/28203

Don't know if anyone saw this but I think it was brilliant... 

the best thing about this doco was that is showed many variations of Autism and Aspergers... we all know that saying if you have met one child with Aspergers you have met one child with Aspergers. 

[bella_again]

Well turns out it was a huge misunderstanding as suspected they meant youth connections apparently but why on earth she sent me info on child first is beyond me.

[bella_again]

That was a great program Catty thanks for sharing 🙂

[bella_again]

Ok I have now discovered that if you are in the states DE you are not eligible for any access to the travelling teacher or any other service.  DE do not get funding unless there is physical, clear intellectual  or sensory disability.

You would think that the region would give these students access to services given that they want to see them back in school.  Seems crazy! So I am off to find a specialist educational consultant for DD..

In saying that there has been progress this year with her Japanese award and willingly keeping up with her work. Hopefully its all onward and upward from here.

How is everyone else doing?

[catsnknots]

Well exams have started and the stomach aches have increased and a total lack of willingness to go to school... we are counting down the days to the long summer holidays. 

Some assignments not done and one is the agriculture assignment... "I am not going to be a farmer and will never need to know what they are teaching me" are his exact words. 

It also looks like his lack of enthusiasm means he will probably be dropped from the gifted maths program... "when will I ever need algebra?" he asks... 

He has chosen his subject for next year and one is graphic design... I hope he finds it interesting and actually does the work.

I decided not that long ago to stop worrying if he passes high school or not... many people do not like school, do not do well in school and showed no enthusiasm for it... the school system is designed for one type of child and if yours does not fit into that box then bad luck.. I have no idea where his future is heading but in reality neither did I when I was his age... he will be ok....  

[bella_again]

Oh catty its tough sometimes as a parent to see out kids struggling to fit into school life.  I'm actually not going to make my DD do year 12 unless she wants to.  The physc and I agree that she is far better off doing courses through tafe and at a later date she can access higher education as a mature adult.

Better plan and less stress for her anyway.  So I'm with you I don't worry about what she passes any more but am more focused on the over all picture and lets face it they will have a lifetime to learn.

Sounds like your boy is really lucky to have such a supportive mum and home life 🙂

[krazy.kiwi]

I am tearing my hair out trying to get forms filled in for C to go back to DE next year.  I can't get hold of his psychologist who filled them in last time.

[bella_again]

I am tearing my hair out trying to get forms filled in for C to go back to DE next year.  I can't get hold of his psychologist who filled them in last time.

I know its crazy getting all the paper work in.  Hope you are able to get the forms filled out soon by the psycologist.  Will the receptionist allow you to send them in by any chance??  I noticed this year they seem to require a lot more paper work like birth cert, passport photo etc. I only got mine in the post Friday.  Are you also applying for AIC through centrelink?? Its a huge help to pay for added extras.

Good luck Krazy hope you are able to get all the forms in soon 🙂