My name is Laryssa I am the mother of a wonderful boy named Rafael. Sorry to be bothering you, but I don't know who to turn to. I write this with tears in my eyes and a huge despair in my heart. I am writing to you to share my extreme concern about my son Rafael ability to learn and life skill . I can clearly see in my son's life how much he is struggling with his limitations in many things. Despite your great effort to hide his deficiencies and difficulties, I know how much we suffer. Rafael has learning disability (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia) and signs of autism. We as parents clearly see that our son Rafael has an autism spectrum or another hidden disability. Rafael has struggling at school and his recent scores is a concern for our family. He is 15 years old and he has very low self esteem and no confidence and it is impacting not only his life but his family life too. Unfortunately we see that Rafael is not ready for his adult life .As parent we feeling lost and seeking for help before his situation get worse. I would like some support to help me get specialists to see my son and take some tests. I have a lot of day-to-day information about the difficulties and distress that I believe the specialists should know about. After a year and a half on the waiting list we saw a doctor at **on ** and were attended by Dr. **. The doctor mentioned that he saw threats of autism in Rafael, but he didn't complete the diagnosis with autism, which left me disappointed. I believe I am well aware of my child's needs and that they may not be evident on a one-day observation, but would be devastating for the rest of his life if not taken care of properly. Since year 7 I have been showing my son's difficulties with the Senco . But unfortunately I feel discriminated against for not speaking English well. I send a lot of emails that are never answered, I feel left out. The damage to my child's life can be irreparable. Please I beg you for help, I can't stand to see my son suffering locked in a room in his lonely world anymore. Rafael is a very polite and respectful boy, I think that's why people find it difficult to see his hidden deficiencies. But as a family see that Rafael has a hidden disability. Thank you very much for your attention
* Note: Forgive me for the mistakes in English I used the Google translator to help me.
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LaryRafa
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Good morning, believe me you are not alone in these very difficult times.
I have a 16 year old with Autism/ADHD/moderate learning difficulties.
I feel you need to get a referral sent to Camhs, my child was assessed by them. I had to beg for a referral. Eventually got there. If you're child is sruggling in school, I guess you need specialist reports, such as an Educational Psychologist report conducted by your L.A. or privately if you can afford this. An Occupational Therapist report would also greatly assist you, in identifying his daily struggles. I would speak with your G.P. first and a school nurse if you have one.
Hi these reports will definitely help you as a parent as well, in how best to support your son moving forward. You are his voice. My child's EHCP plan was eventually issued 3 years down the line from when I first applied. My child was set up to fail, I got there in the end. Its exhausting being a carer and then nobody wants to listen to your child and their struggles or meet their needs. I've got 4 SEN children and each one has struggled and been let down by the L.A. I've had to fight at every point for support.
Autism spectrum disorder is extremely difficult my brother has had this all his life not sure has to what part of the world you live but your boy being just 15 a lasting power of attorney needs to be put in place for him because again I am not sure about how your authoritie system works but the English authority here have just used and abused my brothers mental health so you need to get a diagnosis for autism and his capacity again not sure how this works in your part of the world but my advice to would be a full diagnosis and a lasting power of attorney because when he becomes a adult if he dose need care you will have no say in his care what's so ever so to me you definitely need things in place has soon has you can many thanks anita I do hope this helps
i agree, you need to speak with your school nurse and your local council will have a service to support you. Does he have an EHCP (education and healthcare plan) , if not you can request one yourself through the council and he can be seen by the Education psychologist. i would also refer to CAMHS. hope this helps
you dont need school to back you if you think he needs one. apply yourself and get a paediatrician referral through the GP
Autism spectrum disorder is extremely difficult my brother has had this all his life not sure has to what part of the world you live but your boy being just 15 a lasting power of attorney needs to be put in place for him because again I am not sure about how your authoritie system works but the English authority here have just used and abused my brothers mental health so you need to get a diagnosis for autism and his capacity again not sure how this works in your part of the world but my advice to would be a full diagnosis and a lasting power of attorney because when he becomes a adult if he dose need care you will have no say in his care what's so ever so to me you definitely need things in place has soon has you can many thanks anita I do hope this helps
Hi contact your local carers group they will hopefully be able to give you advice on where to go to get help. Also have you tried contacting an Autism group? My son has a learning disability and autism but he wasn’t diagnosed with autism until he was about 20 years old so it is never too late. If your son is struggling at school when he reaches 16 a college of further education have lots of courses for people with varying levels of learning disabilities. The good thing about that is your son would be amongst young people who have similar needs so he will hopefully improve his self esteem. Good luck
Hi same for my son he was diagnosed for autism at 20 too ,this is after so many years of chasing and then going through a private route, once privately diagnosed then the GP referred him on the NHS one he is finally got his NHS diagnosis of autism. Even though he had learning disability diagnosis he struggled through the school system due to his behaviour and moods teacher put this down to be naughty had they known it was to due with autism they may have been more accommodating .
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