My son with possible autistic spectrum disorder

[Guest marzoom]

HI - we've jsut started the process of applying to get to Adelaide where all my family are living . My parents brother and sister and their families have all emigrated in the last 7 yrs and now we wish to join them.

We're a bit concerned as my son who is 6 and half has possible Aspreger's syndrome and we're a bit worried on 2 counts:

1) I've heard of people failing the medicals for NZ ( not Aus) because of this condition.

2) A bit concerned as to what school would be best for him and also what sort of support - I've heard of autismsa and have been on their website which seems like a great facility.

 

Does anyone have any insight into the medical issue or the support issue either as a parent or a teacher ???

 

Many thanks in advance!

[Guest Admar72]

Hi, Marzoom

I will ask my wife as she is a support worker for 3 young male adults with aspeger's and has looked into the subject in oz and might be able to give you some info. Have you tried pomz in oz as there are lots more members and someone might be able help with your question.

Adam & Maria

[Guest lynne]

Does you son have a diagnosis of aspergers or are there just concerns.

 

We have a 12 year old with ASD (diagnosed since age 5 years). We were requested to provide additional information to our medical which would state our child would grow up to be an independent person and no drain on society. We argued his case and managed to get our visa without the additional information. As they already had reports on diagnosis, educational attainment, ed psy reports, etc.

 

If you child has not got a diagnosis than do not say anything at the medicals however if her has got a diagnosis than you have to declare it.

 

The support they receive in Adelaide is less than in the UK and it tends to be with people who are untrained in ASD. But there is extra support available.

 

When we went to validate we found a lovely supportive private school in maclaren vale which provided the support a child with aspergers or asd would need.

 

Good luck with your application

[Guest guest569]

my wife is a special needs teacher . She says the support you may get is all dependant on the severity of your childs condition. If he is only mild then he will go in the main stream education system where support may be minimum. On the other hand if he is quite severe then he will go in a special class or school and get more suport.

Good luck with the visas.

[Guest norah battie]

Hi there

I teach children with Autism at a Special School in Marion. Pm me if you want to chat about it.

[Guest Admar72]

This may be a far cry but there is a professor who specialises in Aspergers syndrome called Tony Attwood who is orriginally from the UK (Heartfordshire I think) He now lives in Brisbane and helps to run a clinic called 'Hearts and minds'. If you check out the website you can find info on him and email him direct. He may be able to offer you advice.

 

Wishing you all the very best

Maria x

[ozzieclare2be]

My nephew has aspergers syndrome. My brother arrived in adelaide 8 weeks ago. They almost were refused the visa but had to produce extra information from the school, after school clubs etc. Make sure what the doctor puts on the medical is up to date and in context, in fact get all the information together and make sure its sent to the case officer ie school reports, if he has an educational statement. But the definitive thing is diagnosis, if hes not been actually diagnosed and its a bit vague then there might not be such an issue. My nephew attends a mainstream school here and is getting alot of support already but saying that his educational standard is better than the aussie kids anyway!

 

If you pm me your email address i will get my brother to contact you as what he knows a great deal about aspergers and may be able to advise you

[Lazy Cow]

Autism SA are a great point of contact, support and advice and will support you all the way!

 

I am an SSO (School Services Officer) and have worked with kids with disabilities/extra needs for nearly ten years now. The experience I had from working in the UK was pretty much put to one side and I had to have my skills verified by a principal here. Which was no problem as 'my' principal was happy to help.

 

Since then I have worked in four different schools here - one primary, three high - each of which have offered different help. So this is (all!) I know. I'm not an expert and am sure that Norah Battie will be heaps more help as she's a teacher (so glad I don't do that job lol!).

 

Anyhow, this is it! The primary school had a couple of classes which were part of the school but followed an adjusted curriculum in separate classes. That said, the kids mixed in with mainstream for assemblies etc and were buddied-up with kids from the higher classes, and were an accepted and welcome part of school.The three high schools were very different but all extremely supportive.

 

Kids with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) do not necessarily attract extra funding and each case has to be argued and supported separately. The schools I have been did not always receive enough funding to cover the amount of time a particular kid needed but I have been impressed by how much time, care and effort is put in to ensuring the child gets the support they need - regardless of funding.

 

As I said, I'm no expert, but I think we should remember that ASD kids can be very high-functioning and some of the highest grades achieved at year 12 have been from Asperger's or other ASD kids. It may mean that they will not need help, or that minimal help will be necessary.

 

I seem to have waffled on (maybe this is why I rarely post hey!). Good luck.

LC

[Diane]

There was a wonderful thread recently on pomsinoz by a family coming out to Adelaide - have a read here - http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/61583-adoption-aspergers-syndrome-rest-never-give-up.html - one of the most inspiring things I've ever read on one of these forums, and hopefully will give you some useful info.

Diane

[Guest norah battie]

I'm not an expert and am sure that Norah Battie will be heaps more help as she's a teacher (so glad I don't do that job lol!).

Without support staff like you my job would be so much harder and yes you are a teacher in your own right...........well done for the work you do... and yes I LOVE my job and am grateful everyday to be invited into the wonderful minds of children with Autism who make me smile each and everyday and make me really think about who and what I am.

 

If I can offer any help or advice I would try....Autism SA would be my first port of call....good luck

[Guest marzoom]

thanks Adam and Maria - I had not heard of Poms in Oz but have now posted a thread on there so that's great - also I have read Tony Atwood's book but did not know he was now in Brisbane so will attempt to get in touch - great !

[Guest marzoom]

Thanks to all for your really helpful info!

He has been assessed last year and they have called his condition “Motor Coordination Disorder and Social Communication Disorder - possible Asperger's Syndrome.”

He is about to be reassessed by the team here to see if they feel this is AS but we are reluctant for them to definitively call it this as we have heard of children being refused visas due to AS. Should we lay low and keep the diagnosis as it is for now do you think – but I think even with this vague diagnosis we would have to mention it ? some people have said if there is no definite diagnosis then don't disclose it at the medical and you'll be OK or should we disclose and hope for the best? Obviously if he has a diagnosis he'll be more entitled to help once there but by the sounds of it we may not actually get there in the first place. He is quite bright, goes to mainstream school, has a special educational needs co-ordinator who works with the teachers to give him sessions in the school twice a week discussing social issues and he needs help with writing aswell.

Lynne -Do you mind me asking about the school that you found in Maclaren Vale? We are very much guided by schools really in terms of where to live but want to be near Adelaide as all my family are there.

Clare - I would love to get in touch with your brother - not sure what you mean by PM - how do I do that ??!! Once I know I will also try to PM you Norah!! ( I'ma bit of new to all this forum stuff!Sorry!)

And LC - thanks for all your reassurance re schools. (Do you mind me asking which schools you have worked at and found supportive?)

Thanks again for all your help, Sian

[Guest marzoom]

thanks Diane - certainly very inspiring!

[Guest ShellAbbott]

Hi Norah, A special school in Marion?

I have a 9 yr old son (Ryan) who has Aspergers. He did really well last year as he had a very motivated teacher, Whom was in his first year in Adelaide. He moved from liverpool. funny that as this is a pommy site. He really made a big effort to find out as much info on this condition before he even met Ryan. This was a joy to see him enjoy school for a change.

Now he has started a new year (year 4), he is really struggling and he refuses to go every morning. I manage to guide him to school, but i think its only a matter of time before he has a total meltdown and cant be re-aussured that he will be fine. He cry's in the morning saying the work is too hard.

I came across some school books of my daughter's from year 2, this made me realise that Ryan is so far behind. And i am worried that sooner, rather than later, he will totally be un-teach-able.

He attends Edwardstown Primary School which has been good for both my children. I live near marion.

I really dont know what options are avaliable for Ryan, or even how serve his condition is. His Mother and i are separated, and she has been the main person who knows about Ryans Aspergers.

As i can give him routine, also im minutes from his school, i seen to be his main care giver. His mother is registaired with Autisim SA. But she seems to have given up and decided that its eaisier he stays with me.

So im seeing changes in his behavior, which im concerned about. He is really starting to hate school.

 

Help, Is their a school in the southern area that is Aspergers syndrome friendlly. Or is programed for his different style of learning.

Im sure that its the right time for him to change his learning enviroment as i cant see him progressing to mainstream high school.

 

Warm regards

Shell Abbott

shellswork@gmail.com