[magsta]

Hello All,

I haven't been on here for a long time, I used to stalk heaps and also got lots of support early on when Lucas' developmental delays were really obvious to me but no one would listen to me.

There's been some difficult times but we're travelling along ok.

Lucas was 3 in December and we were in early intervention last year and again this year at Kalparrin. Sometimes I think we're wasting resources and he doesn't need to be enrolled, othertimes I know I need more from them and I feel like I don't know what to ask for or how to go about getting it! We generally use the services more as an outreach through day care and adhoc visits from OTs etc.

So today we had an appointment with Dr Rawlinson at Kalparrin and they've broached the subject of seeking a diagnosis for Lucas.

I have gone through all this in my head many times and I think it's right way to go. I know my little man is who he is and I wouldn't have him any other way. The most important thing for me is to get him the absolute best start in life. Whether it be through services, funding or just being able to educate his dad and I and his school and carers in how his mind works and how to best help him achieve happiness and greatness.

So I'm just interested in from people who know how the system works here in Victoria (I believe its different for all states) What will a ASD diagnosis get us?



Thanks in advance!!

[baddmammajamma]

I will defer to my Victoria-based friends on any state-specific benefits/advantages, but one thing that is universal across Australia is that if your child is diagnosed with an ASD before the age of 6, (s)he can qualify for the government's "Helping Children With Autism" package. The main thrust of that package is early intervention funding -- 2 years of funding at $6000 per financial year, to be used before the child turns 7.

http://www.amaze.org.au/discover/how-we-can-help-you/hcwa/ (click on the "read more" section)

Amaze (formerly "Autism Victoria") is the state umbrella organization for ASD. Their web site is one of the better ones in terms of explaining things!

Good luck with your assessment process. There are some awesome mums from VIC here, and I hope they chime in!

[magsta]

Thanks heaps baddmammajamma... I knew enough about this forum to know you'd be the first to reply.

You're a godsend and I thinks its amazing the support and wealth of information you offer everyone

[tel2]

Hi there

I'm from Melbourne (infact I live pretty close Kalparrin and I know of your pediatrician - he is fantastic ).

I too am on the ASD diagnosis rollarcoaster with my DS. I hope to get some fomal diagnosis this year.

As far as I'm aware (I'm new to all this so am still learning the ins and outs of it all) a diagnosis gets you the Helping Children with Autism package as BMJ described well.

A diagnosis also helps with kinder/primary school placement, getting extra support and perhaphs some aid time in areas where the child needs it most.

If there are any other Vic mums out there that know what else a ASD dx will get us, please share, would love to know more

Oh there is also Careers Allowance from Centrelink too

[magsta]

Hey Tel2,

I used to live near Kalparrin - we're in Eltham now.

Thanks for your reply! I appreciate it. Dr Rawlinson did mention the Carer's Allowance. I guess all the dollars I can get to put towards speechies, psychs and OTs and school etc. will help loads.

I've just returned to work full time so I've enrolled both my boys at Plenty Valley Montossori School. Lucas is thriving! I've had some discussions and differences of opinion with some with regards if he'd be better to be challenged more in a more structured environment - but I think I'd rather have outreach and get someone like an aide out in that environment to help fascilitate that sort of thing for him.

[baddmammajamma]

Sounds like you are already on a great path!

There is a pinned note at the top of this board that covers a lot of the various benefits (most of them financial, and some rather small) that one can apply for once there is a formal diagnosis of ASD.

Besides the money and programs, though, one of the biggest benefits is "Just knowing." Just knowing what's going on with your child, having deeper professional insights on how to help them, being able to identify with a community like this of other parents of kids on the spectrum.

It's not all sunshine, roses & funding packages once your child is diagnosed, but for us, the worrying and wondering stage was worse than finally getting some answers.

Good luck! I'm so glad that you are seeing a good paed. Hope Lucas continues to do well.

[magsta]

Besides the money and programs, though, one of the biggest benefits is "Just knowing." Just knowing what's going on with your child, having deeper professional insights on how to help them, being able to identify with a community like this of other parents of kids on the spectrum.

It's not all sunshine, roses & funding packages once your child is diagnosed, but for us, the worrying and wondering stage was worse than finally getting some answers.

Good luck! I'm so glad that you are seeing a good paed. Hope Lucas continues to do well.

Yes - this!

I spend most of my time feeling like I have failed him so much - that I find educating myself empowering... I just often don't know what to educate myself on... and I'm wary that my Masters Degree in all things Aspergers and Austism Spectrum from the University of Google and Youtube is not always worth the time and obsession

[tel2]

Hi Magsta,

Regarding the careers allowance, keep in mind it's not alot of money (around $50 a week I think). I'm in the process of applying for it and have worked out that it will only cover my weekly petrol costs driving my DS to different therapy and things every week

[mamacantik]

hi, such great advice above

I'm in Vic and I'd just add that you don't need to wait for a diagnosis to get on early intervention waiting lists - and for some places waits are long :-( look into this sooner rather than later if you can x

[magsta]

Thanks, this is where I get confused... We're already in the early intervention program without a diagnosis... DS delays were so significant we were accepted before he turned 2 and I only had to wait for term to start after Christmas.
So will the government funding be in addition to what we already get at Kalparrin? Or in stead of... Or is it what were already getting?
I guess these are questions for my family services co-ordinator
PS I knew the allowance wasnt much - was looking at it as a session a week with a speechy or therapist or something