There's a few FM's who have kids with aspergers who if you change the title so they're aware this is what this is about will probably get in here to help you.

Are they standing by the ADHD diagnosis as well cos as far as I'm aware it wouldn't need to be increased for the aspergers...he should though get a statement of special needs and extra help at school...if he needs it...not all do..

The kid over the road from me got one of the tops set of marks in my oldest sons year at school and now writes articles and gives talks on being a child with aspergers and how to overcome obstacles....

Thanks croc

Although i've worked with kids with ASD, it's only been with the very young, so i can't really be that helpful sorry

I do know that provision varies widely across the country and your best bet might be to contact the NAS (National Autistic Society)

http://www.nas.org.uk/

Their website has lots of helpful links and info.

My best tip is for your sister to become a demanding pain in the arse....it tends to be the ones who make a big fuss that gets the best services....sad but true.

I might also question the doctor whether your nephew needs Ritalin at all....in some cases, kids get handed these out like sweeties just because doctors can't think of anything else to do about a child's challenging behaviour......perhaps with a diagnosis, they might not feel it's an appropriate treatmnt.....obviously i wouldn't know this, but it's worth checking.

Sorry can't be more helpful

Imo this is absolutely true!
Change the child's diet to one that is truly wholesome.... no crisps burgers or junk food plenty of fruit,vegetables and real fruit juice! Cut out everything that has aspertame in it!
As  I say it is my honest opinion! Good luck!

One of my best friends son has Aspergers. He was diagnosed at 6 years old. He's now 10. The problems back then were he wasn't making friends and he became obsessed with things. He only wanted to be friends with his brother (1 year older). He was moody, quiet, temperatmental. Since he's been diagnosed he's grown into a fine young boy. He plays cricket for his local team, socialises with them all, likes all kinds of things and only obsesses over his hair, has a girfriend or 5, nothing different from any other boy his age. The only thing I would say is different is that he's very sensitive.

I've spoken to my friends husband and he says that he thinks the doctors gave the diagnosis to put a name to what my friend thought rather than what was actually wrong. He's a middle child and felt left out in her husbands opinion.

I'll also add that they are army kids. Moving around a lot so his brother was one thing that was constant.

my OH said to tell you to tell the school and then claim for DLA and carers allowance-cos it can be a bloody hard job to look after an aspie and you need all the help you can get!
and dance settee telling you to get in touch NAS is the best way forward

I teach autistic children in a mainstream setting..one of which had ADHD and learning difficulties.
Provision vaires wildly according to the local LEA policy(ours is inclusive).
The SENCO(special ed needs co-ordinator is the best person to take this forward.The autistic spectrum us huge and provision would also vary according to the individual childs needs.Sorry..rushed post as have to dashx

I agree My friend who has a son with aspergers became a governor of his son's school - which ensured that his son got all the help that he needed ... again - sad, but true.

Sorry..had to dash out to collect my son.
Sadly parents do have to fight for special placements(if the child needs them).

My Daughter has autism.
All i can say is YES it will get easier now he has been diagnosed.
My daughter has a statement and we couldnt be without it. I used to think it might be a stigma now i know its a gift! .....these days you have to push for it.

She will get carers allowance if she is awarded disability living allowance for him (dont know if there is any other way to get it so may be wrong there) but she should try for disability anyway.

so :
statement
disability living allowance
carers allowance

respite and clubs should be more on offer to her now but i reckon life will get easier for her now anyway simply because he is recognised by others as having aspergers, it will make her struggle less.

my son has aspergers but is a few years younger than your nethew. does she claim DLA for him? you dont actually need a diagnosis for that as it's needs based, not sure if you need that before claiming carer's allowance, but i did...and was awarded both. also extra tax credits if DLA is mid rate or high rate.

now she has a diagnosis there should be a support group (though most dont need diagnosis) and parenting courses for parents of children with an ASD. these help understand your kids and put strategies in place to help them and can also help you know your rights and what you are entitled to etc.

if he is struggling at school (and sounds like he is) he should be statemented, she doesn't have to wait for the school to do it, she can request one herself...it will be done the same..it'll just be that she requested it now rather than the school when they feel like it.

i do not know about respite cos i haven't done that myself yet, though i am thinking about it..esp with 3rd baby on the way lol. but i am not sure of the entitlement.

it is possible he has ADHD and Aspergers, i know many Aspies who do (in fact more who do than dont, my son is thought to have that too) although the 'traits' can envelope so it's harder to assess them individually.

sadly it's a postcode lottery with regards to how much help you get, my county is apparently one of the best for help. but i know alot of parents who fight every day just to get their child an education with a diagnosis though your sister can look for more suitable schools....but may have to wait for a statement for that...as it is a lengthy process.

a huge piece of advice would be to join some ASD forums, i got most of my advice and help etc from ther as well as some friends even if it's just a place for your sister to rant it helps as everyone there knows what it is like lol x

wow an essay! there is loads i could say but i can't think now lol! plus i rambled enough for now

oh! forgot to say this is a forum i go to most http://www.asdfriendly.org/boa...dfriendly.org/board/

lovely people there...mostly lol! you know what forums are like

Thank you all very much for the advice. I will print it all off and give it to my sister, Im sure she will find it a Godsend. x

Part of my research is on Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Dance Settee offered some good advice re. contacting the NAS; they may be able to point you to a local support and guidance group re. DLA / carers/ mobility, etc.

I would say this though, although the ADHD diagnosis might have been a little ill-informed or hasty, it may be that your nephew has ADHD too; they are, sometimes, co-morbid (both present in the same individual).

It's good that you have a diagnosis at last; now he can begin getting the assistance he needs to lead a happy and productive life (Tell your sis that Cambridge - especially computing, science and maths - is FULL of ASDs)