Katrina - Interview 11

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Katrina and her partner have two children; Kayleigh aged 11 and Callum aged 8. Callum was a premature baby who had several health problems in his early years. Atypical autism was diagnosed when he was four years old after attending an assessment centre for three weeks of observation and tests. Callum also has dyspraxia and considerable sensory difficulties. For example, he has not worn shoes for three years and finds different fabrics and textures too much. He also has a strong fear of dying which has implications for taking him out to different places.
Callum found school very difficult and by the time he got to Year Two it was almost impossible to get him into the school because he had become so anxious and distressed. He became aggressive and would self harm and his sleeping was erratic. Eventually Katrina decided to remove him from school and educate him at home. For the past year, Katrina has been a full time carer.
Katrina says the family have been to hell and back over the years. Kayleigh has had to witness very difficult scenes with Callum and typical family activities such as going on holiday have not been possible. For Katrina and her partner, years of disrupted sleep have also taken their toll. Katrina has been severely stressed and has suffered from depression. She finds dealing with other people very hard because so few understand autistic spectrum disorders.
Katrina has found a local support group very useful for exchanging ideas with other families dealing with similar experiences. She also finds reading about ASD’s useful.
Callum has improved markedly since being taken out of school. Cognitive behaviour therapy and music therapy are helping him to overcome his fears and anxieties. Katrina has tried dietary interventions and various other therapies, but thinks that the best way to help him is to make his environment as suitable for him as she can.
Callum is quite a loner and is happy with his own company. He particularly likes animals and playing on his playstation. He wants to work at the Dogs Trust when he grows older.
CBT has helped Katrinas son deal with some of his fears and anxieties.
CBT has helped Katrinas son deal with some of his fears and anxieties.
Katrina says the experience has physically, mentally, emotionally completely consumed her.
Katrina says the experience has physically, mentally, emotionally completely consumed her.
Katrina particularly recommends the novel Curious Incident and says she has a thirst for more...
Katrina particularly recommends the novel Curious Incident and says she has a thirst for more...
Katrina talks about the constraints on her family because her time has been taken up with her son.
Katrina talks about the constraints on her family because her time has been taken up with her son.
Katrina attended a three week assessment with her son.
Katrina attended a three week assessment with her son.
Katrina describes how lovely it is not to have to excuse her sons behaviour when she meets up...
Katrina describes how lovely it is not to have to excuse her sons behaviour when she meets up...
Katrina is glad that Callum has got such a good relationship with her mum.

Katrina is glad that Callum has got such a good relationship with her mum.
Katrina feels that her daughter has suffered more than anyone and is well adjusted considering...
Katrina feels that her daughter has suffered more than anyone and is well adjusted considering...
Katrina describes the statementing process as a battle which you live with, day after day.
Katrina describes the statementing process as a battle which you live with, day after day.
Katrinas son has missed about two years of school and is only eight years old.
Katrinas son has missed about two years of school and is only eight years old.
Katrina finds the way other people look at her son one of the hardest things to deal with.
Katrina finds the way other people look at her son one of the hardest things to deal with.
Katrina says 'there is hope and we are very blessed because I think they are very special children.'

Katrina says 'there is hope and we are very blessed because I think they are very special children.'
Is there anything you want to pass onto parents who are worried about their children’s development or who have just been diagnosed?