Ladies And Gentlemen We Have A Diagnosis!

[Grainne]

Hooray!! I had the BEST appointment we have ever had yesterday...my son and I. Some of you know that my little boy has had many difficulties in his life so far (all of five years) and that we have been struggling and fighting every step of the way to get him diagnosed and helped. Well, as odd as this may sound, I am DELIGHTED to report that my son is officially autistic! (LOL...yes, delighted!). The doc we saw yesterday tisked tisked the fact that he had yet to be 'officially' diagnosed, although we all knew it was autism. She wrote me (him) a letter to the school board stating that he requires an EA (edcuational assistant) in class and that he must keep receiving speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. She also requested that the school do a detailed psychometric assessment (i'm getting an independent one done also). We now, finally, have access to all the support programs and services we have always needed for him.

I am the proud mother of an autistic child and wouldn't change him for the world, but WOW am I ever excited for him. Life will be different for him now. I feel like, for the first time in his life, I have been able to change something for him, fix something. I have affected his life in a postive way outside of my home...it's an amazing feeling!!!

Thanks for all the support you guys. The messages and notes helped me get through this fight...and although I'm sure there will be many more to come, I'm really proud of myself and how I made it through this. Thanks so much for helping me. xo

Grainne:occasion:

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

Grainne -

I understand your relief at finally receiving a diagnosis and being able to get the services now that your son rightly deserves. Congrads!

I remember when I was diagnosed with my chronic pain disorder and then later PTSD - the sense of relief that there really WAS something wrong and it wasn't my imagination. The validation and the fact that I now had a path I could go on to have an improvement of symptoms made a world of difference.

For you, fighting for your child must have been much more difficult. It just shows how truly strong you are to continue to fight until he will now receive what he needs to have a better life.

 

[Pixie]

Hey hun... and well done! I'm so happy for you and there will be so many more resources available to you now... well done. :)

Pixie

 

[helena]

Hi Grainne,

Am so glad you finally have got an official diagnosis. Now you can move forward with this and get on with your lives.

Really pleased for you...

:smile:

 

[JohnnyM53]

Grainne

You and I talked about this last night and many times before. I know it's been a steady fight with the school principal and others.

But your unwavering tenacity has finally paid off and confirmed what you knew all along and I couldn't be happier for you, C and D.

Now C can get the help and services he deserves and needs and you can take a breather after this humongous victory for all of you.

Be proud and walk with your head up young lady! You're an awesome mom!

Congrats! And if you write to the school board, tell them that the Principal's "strategic psychological tactic" of making you sit on a small chair in the hallway was childish and disrespectful of your and your family's efforts and feelings. Even worse so now that you have proven your point.

I'm proud of you and to say I am your friend! *hugs*

 

[anthony]

Congratulations.

 

[BethRSA]

Great job standing up for your child!:thumbs-up

So proud of you for "fighting the system" to get him the help he needs. May he "rise up and call you blessed" as he gets older. Even if he doesn't, we do!

:Hug_emoticon: Beth

 

[cat]

This has been a tremendously stressful time for you Grainne, you have been so strong to stand up for your sons right to have a good education & the extra support he needs. Well done! I hope this is the start to better times for you both.

Take care

 

[Grainne]

XO Thanks everyone!!!! Your support means so much. :)

 

[midi]

What a relief! Your determination paid off! Congrats!

 

[rjtransient]

Considering what an uphill battle it is to get a child properly assessed and diagnosed (I've heard this from many other parents), congratulations and kudos for keeping up the persistence and keeping a positive attitude. :occasion:

I am the proud mother of an autistic child and wouldn't change him for the world, but WOW am I ever excited for him.

This is such a refreshingly healthy, constructive attitude. I know diagnosis is life changing in every respect for the child and the family. Your son is so amazingly lucky to have a loving mother who's ready to fight for him every step of the way. I can't emphasize that enough.

I have an autistic brother, so if you could ever use a few tips on working with/fighting the system from someone who's been there done that, I'd be happy to help.

 

[Nicky31]

Hey Grainne

:occasion: This really is marvelous news. Whilst hearing that your child has a condition can be devastating, I can completely appreciate how thankful you must be after all this time to finally receive acknowledgment and diagnosis.

I truly wish you and the family well with whatever lays ahead. I hope that many doors will now be opened to you in terms of your own understanding and ability and capacity to support your son as well as those doors that enable him and you all to access external support whether practical, financial, theoretical...

Much love to you all. Let us know how things go.
Nic x:Hug_emoticon: