Allicat
Member
Hi folks:
Alli here. I'm a mom of a 12 yr old with ASD, and have been an occupational therapist for kids for the past 25 years, primarily in the NYS public schools and I'm here because I've come to eat, er, pick your brains!
Seriously tho, as he gets older I become more frustrated with the professionals (yeah, I know, I'm one of them). For example, although I was pretty sure he was on the spectrum from early on, it wasn't til he was 10 that the neurologists finally agreed; up until then he was only diagnosed with ADHD. And I wasn't in on that diagnosis til I had a conversation with his newest neuro at the office yesterday asking why he wasn't considered on the spectrum. She looked surprised, went back through his notes and apparently in 2014 his previously neuro decided he was. Mind you, I've always dealt with him as if he were on the spectrum, but gee, it would have been nice to have had it confirmed, and at 5 years old when we first saw a neuro about my concerns instead of at 10, much less 12.
So while I have had many years working with kids on the spectrum, have done tons of my own research as well as attended classes/conferences, worked with some amazing professionals (they don't all suck!), and have lots of good tools I have used successfully to help my son and the kids I work with, it's clear to me that isn't enough. While I have asked my kids over the years what worked for them in certain situations, I try not to as it really isn't appropriate (being at work and all).
So I'm here to find ideas, suggestions and to ask you folks what worked for you, as well as to share what has worked for my son and the kids I have worked with over the years.
Thanx
Alli
Alli here. I'm a mom of a 12 yr old with ASD, and have been an occupational therapist for kids for the past 25 years, primarily in the NYS public schools and I'm here because I've come to eat, er, pick your brains!
Seriously tho, as he gets older I become more frustrated with the professionals (yeah, I know, I'm one of them). For example, although I was pretty sure he was on the spectrum from early on, it wasn't til he was 10 that the neurologists finally agreed; up until then he was only diagnosed with ADHD. And I wasn't in on that diagnosis til I had a conversation with his newest neuro at the office yesterday asking why he wasn't considered on the spectrum. She looked surprised, went back through his notes and apparently in 2014 his previously neuro decided he was. Mind you, I've always dealt with him as if he were on the spectrum, but gee, it would have been nice to have had it confirmed, and at 5 years old when we first saw a neuro about my concerns instead of at 10, much less 12.
So while I have had many years working with kids on the spectrum, have done tons of my own research as well as attended classes/conferences, worked with some amazing professionals (they don't all suck!), and have lots of good tools I have used successfully to help my son and the kids I work with, it's clear to me that isn't enough. While I have asked my kids over the years what worked for them in certain situations, I try not to as it really isn't appropriate (being at work and all).
So I'm here to find ideas, suggestions and to ask you folks what worked for you, as well as to share what has worked for my son and the kids I have worked with over the years.
Thanx
Alli
