Support for chldren under 5

Jessr
Jessr Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
edited April 8 in Families and carers

Good afternoon all,

I am new here, I'm a single mum with my autistic son who is nearly 4 yrs old, he's become increasingly difficult outdoors, i tried to let him run off some steam at a local park, early in the morning so the park was fairly quiet, and my son would not leave, kicked and screamed and was hurting himself and throwing himself around, refused to get into his specialist buggy, it usually takes 2 adults to get him out and about but my eldest daughter was not available at the time, my question is, - is there any actual support for families like mine (single / lone carers) with support getting children out and about?

I feel like i need someone with us that can help as hes not a small child, so im unable to lift him at all, especially when he has melt downs, I have done lots of courses for autism and how to manage melt downs etc but physically im not strong enough to manage him as hes over half my size and not even 4 yet.

I have tried to give warnings of changes in transitions and visuals, none of that works at the moment.

any advice will be wonderful!!!

TIA

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Comments

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 4,310 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @Jessr and a warm welcome to the community from me!

    Thank you for telling us a little bit about your situation, it sounds like you have already done a lot to help your son! How have you found the courses so far?

    Have you had a needs assessment before? You can request one of these from your local authority and sometimes these can lead to further support such as short break funding or direct payments which may allow you to hire a Personal Assistant or support worker to go out with you and your son and provide the second pair of hands to help.

    Has your son been referred to occupational therapy by the GP? I'm just wondering as they may able to provide specialized safety equipment, safety strategies and further support too.

    There is also Home Start which is a great organisation who help families with children under 5 (sometimes older, depending on your location). They will match you with a volunteer that can provide emotional and practical support so they may be able to offer support when taking your son out😊

  • Jessr
    Jessr Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Hi Mary

    Thank you for your message,

    I found the courses really insightful and helped with sleep etc and sensory processing and my understanding of everything Autism related.

    I have not had a needs assessment for OT, they initially rejected my son as he can walk, but nowadays he's unable to walk safely at all. He has ran in front of cars and only yesterday laid in the road having melt down while vehicles are approaching. I was unable to get him in his specialist buggy as he makes his body stiff as a board so to not sit.

    I will make an appt and speak with my GP about the OT assessment/ referal as i really think this is needed now.

    I feel a support worker even 1x a month would be good so we could take Ashy out safely so he gets to experience the outside world a bit more. I did not know about this that this could be possible so thank you.

    My son has an EHCP in place and we are currently going back to panel i believe tomorrow to request Specialist provision as the current nursery are unable to meet his needs in the educational setting.

    I will look into Home start as well, thank you, i have not heard of them at all.

  • Jessr
    Jessr Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

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