About bloody time too

I had an appointment this week with Morgan about getting him assessed for Aspergers. His first proper appointment since moving into West Lothian. So far - all he has seen is the school doctor and the GP.

I had no idea what to expect at this appointment and was surprised when I realised it was at a primary school and not at the hospital as usual. It turns out that the school in question is a specialist school providing care and support for autistic children and so the resources they have there are fantastic.

I met with two lovely women - one who was a speech and language specialist and one who was the Doctor. Morgan went off to talk to the language specialist while I went through a whole series of questions with the Doctor talking about how Morgan behaves and reacts and everything. I had a long list of behavioural things as bullet points in my organiser - so this took some time. We discussed not just his Aspergers traits but also his SPD (sensory processing disorder) and dyspraxia tendencies too. It was a really good appointment she seemed to actually listen and understand and was brilliant at explaining things I hadn't quite put together yet.

After we had exhausted all the points (and commented on the stupidity of previous Asperger (un)assessments) we swapped so I got to spend some time with the language specialist. She told me a little about what she and Morgan had been talking about and it was really interesting. She agrees that he is very intelligent and articulate but commented on his habit of swallowing mid-word. I think this is something to do with his oral-sensory issues.

Once the doctor had finished her assessment we all met up together again. Morgan was free to sit in with us or go and play in the soft-play area so he came in and out. They collated their notes and made some comments and then she said it. "He is Aspergers." Just nice and quiet. Did I hear right? "So - he is Aspergers?" (I needed some confirmation.) "Yes." My head went in a weird sort of blur at this point I had totally not expected him to be 'diagnosed' at the appointment. I think I was expecting to be told to come back for more tests in a couple of months. I think Morgan came back in soon after and she said to him something along the lines of: "Congratulations Morgan, you are a member of a special group of people - you have Aspergers." Wow!!

So - I have a son with Aspergers - it is official. And thhhhhhhhhhbbbbbbbbbbbb to that prime ass who said Morgan did not have Aspergers. He so does. He was wrong, wrong, wrong.

I am so relieved that we have finally got here. The next step is a report being sent to both me and the school after which we can meet up to discuss his care plan. At present I don't think there is a huge need for support for him but I want them to know all about it and be aware of triggers, issues that may arise and potential problem areas.

Does this change my son? Absolutely not. He is still Morgan and I still love him to bits. What I hope is that this will help other people to understand him as well as I do and allow him some self-understanding.

I am disgustingly proud of my son.