It was very bitter sweet because although you never want to hear your child has a disability your finally getting on the right road for the help that he needs!! While the assessment sessions were happening you kind of go into robot mode! Its like your answering questions in the exam of your life, similar to the type of nervousness you experience with the leaving cert except you know all the answers. Its just how you answer them and how the examiner is interpreting your explanation. Every single detail of your childs life is laid bare for a complete stranger to decide which type of care he needs for his future. Very strange..... you wonder how this person is qualified and have they ever known the life that your son leads, but sure how could they?? unless they themselves were disabled in the way he is or have cared for someone on a full time basis day in day out. Not judging someone for an hour at a time once a week for several weeks. The whole process is quite aggravating really.
In order to get your head around this ridiculousness you need to numb yourself to all these little details and look at the bigger picture.
So he met with the psychologist, the speech and language therapist and the occupational therapist. They called out to his play-school and gathered their information needed to come to a joint conclusion. The conclusion and outcome that I myself had expected to hear since Diddles turned three. We conclude that your son has Autism. Now you see this in writing and most mothers would be devastated or emotional wrecks to acknowledge such a thing. However I had dealt with this a long time ago and my Husband had dealt with this so when we received this news we were Relieved, to the point were I could have slapped the assessors and said DUH!! Now point me in the direction of a school and some answers, and for the love of god do not utter the words "waiting list" to me!
The next big hurdle is getting entitlements for him, I am currently in the process of applying for a career break so I can take Luke to and from his new ASD pre-school in Kildare. I was told to apply for carers allowance I would have to wait for 16 weeks to process the application, before I do that I have to be approved for Domiciliary Care Allowance or I point blank do not qualify. It almost feels like I'm on trial to be able to give up work to look after my own Son, who at this point in his life really, desperately needs early intervention and I'm between a rock and a hard place due to a queue in the disability departments at the welfare office. Surely this department should be priority when it comes to children and adults with life long and severe disabilities whether it is a mental or physical disability! Why not all the unemployed people do something for their dole money and go into these government offices to help with the back log of applications and help dig this country out of the giant hole it has dug for itself. Instead of all these petty TD's and Ministers pointing the finger and passing the blame like a hot potato.Stop the complaining and get off your backsides and do something. Ill do it, for nothing! I personally volunteer to go into the offices and help clear the back log of applications, if it means children like Diddles are given the opportunity that other children should have!!
Basic human rights clothing, food and an education but only if they are willing to wait while our government cut back slightly on all things necessary! Sure special needs assisstants in schools are not essential, all teachers should be able to take on an extra 12 students on top of their usual 20 and manage to help the special needs kids with toileting and opening their lunch boxes while the rest of the kids swing out of the black board to receive some sort of attention. While the SNA's are sent to the welfare office until the economy picks up. I tell you no wonder depression rates are rising and crime is escalating this is all linked, a viscous cycle until the universe implodes.
Aside from the S.T.R.E.S.S of all that Myself and seven of my ladies completed the womens mini marathon this June. Great experience got absolutely drenched but it was worth it. Just to cross the finish line and raise some money for a very worthy cause Irish Autism Action. Good sense of acheivement about the whole thing. Will definitely do it again next year, might even jog it next time!Ha we'll see ('',)
Also Diddles graduation from his play-school last week check him out so cute!!
First graduation of many!!!!!!
Also Madman turned One!! That year absolutely flew in, He is now babbling away and walking everywhere, a real little munchkin man, the boys get on brilliantly, Diddles is very protective of Madman, he is amazed by his walking and talking, they are bringing each other on more than I ever thought possible!!
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