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Newly Diagnosed
Sometimes newly diagnosed people or their families find it hard to
make contact with the NAS or any support services because they feel
that their difficulties or personal situation are different from others.
Within the autism community there is a wide range of ability and a wide range of social
circumstances and family backgrounds - but these are all reflected within
the local Branch where members are happy to share experiences, strategies
and what they have found useful.
If your child has been
recently diagnosed, then this website has alot of useful advice but don't
forget there are other professionals that your child may have already
come into contact with such as health visitors, school nurses,
teachers, head teachers, social workers and general practitioners who
will not only be able to help you put your child's difficulties into
context but will also be able to help address problems as early as
possible.
In Guernsey the Child Development Centre located at Le Rondin School and Centre sees pre-school children who are identified as having a special need or disability. Staff based here run the NAS Earlybird course which is a three month programme combining group training sessions for parents with individual home visits and aims to support parents in the time between diagnosis and school placement.
The NAS run a series of programmes for parents of newly diagnosed children and young people. The help! and help!2 parent support programmes offer information and advice for parents and carers and provides an opportunity to meet with other local parents. We do run this programme locally, so if it is something you may be interested in, please do contact us and we can let you know when it is next being held.
Sometimes speaking to another parent who is 'further down the road' than you are can be a huge help. You are able to contact our Branch Officer Judith Pattimore on 243320 who may be able to put you in touch with another parent in a similar situation, or alternatively there is a national parent helpline run by the NAS which is available by calling 0800 9 520 520. This is a free and confidential service, and if you call and leave a message a trained volunteer will call you back at a time that is convienient time.
One of our committee members, Catherine Hall, has three sons - two of whom are diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum. She runs an after school support group at her house in the Vale on a Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm. All parents and carers and their children are welcome to come and play and have a coffee and a chat. The NAS library is also available at this time. You can contact Catherine for more information or directions on 246025 or via email.
Of particualr help may be our:
- A-Z Jargon Buster of Autism diagnosis terminology
- Events