My son suffers from autism... I really need advice....??? Please Help!?

Question

My 3 1/2 year old suffers from autism spectrum. I really need to get him the help that he needs, but I can never go out and get done what I need to. He has mandatory paperwork for benefits that need to be faxed and information that needs to be picked up that I can not get handled due to his temper tantrums and outbursts. He is on medication... but it is not helping... every second of my day is occupied by him until my husband gets home from work. By then, every office is closed. I am really getting frustrated and I don't want to take it out on him. I am not sure what I should do because the deadlines for me to get this paperwork in are almost up, and I have no help WHATSOEVER! I really hope someone can help me because I am honestly at the end of my rope.

Answer 1

have hubby m ake whatever copies u need at work . MAIL them back or sometime you can call them and they might pick it up... and you would be surprised but they are used to dealing with kids like this take him with you... my son would freak out and start grabbing stuff and they would hurry up and get me done and out...

Answer 2

Some resources to check into:

1) Does your town have a Volunteer Bureau? Sometimes they can provide volunteers to do paperwork of that sort.

2) On the internet is Volunteer Match. com. List yourself as needing a volunteer & see if you can get one.

3) Check for help with your state's Regional Center.

4) Call local community colleges or colleges/universities or Early Childhood Education programs, for students willing to help as part of their degrees in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, or Public Health Nursing.

5) Call the local school district to see if their social worker, Special Ed. teacher, nurse, or other professional can help you.

6) If you go to a church, ask for help there.

7) Call the local Senior Center & see if a retired professional lawyer, paralegal,  or educator can help you with it.

8) Check Yahoo Groups to see if a group of parents of autistic children is in your area; if so, ask for help from another parent & join the support group while you're there!

Good luck!

Answer 3

I am assuming you are not in the U.S., but here the public school should evaluate and provide educational opportunities for your son at least half a day which would give you the time to get the other things done.

Also if these are things you could get done in a day then maybe your husband needs to call in sick or say the kid is sick and he has to stay home one day so the he or you can get the paperwork done.

This should be a huge priority as not getting services will make like more difficult for everyone in your household so taking 1 or 2 sick days might be the last resort, but in the end will pay for itself.

Otherwise beg borrow and steal a baby sitter or someone that can give you some assitance for just a couple days so you can get this done. You can advertise for special need sitters. Try to contact a parent support group in your area they are often resources or people they can recommend. At least here there are a lot of these groups with advice and information.

You could really use some respite care, but of course that requires filling out paperwork and meeting with agencies also.

I really feel for you as I know how it can be.. but contacting the agencies and getting the paperwork done is the first step in getting some relief.

Answer 4

Some organizations might be able to provide you with one on one help filling out the forms.  You can try the local chapter of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health (www.ffcmh.org) and ask if they can provide that kind of help or know another organization that can.  

It gets really frustrating when you're in crisis mode all day taking care of someone with a disability.  It's probably a good idea to discuss with your husband that you are having trouble filling out these forms and ask him to give you help with it.  Is there a reason why he isn't helping already?  

Good luck and hang in there.

Answer 5

call the orgs and explain. i know how you feel. i got medicaid to give me a wheelchair as it helps with my dd behaviors. better than drug.  ask agencies if they can come to you.

i once could not get her into a grocery store for 3 months while my son was on active duty. get on the phone and start calling everyone in the govt for help beg plead demand.

www.disabilityinfo.gov may be able to help.

do you have anyone who can drop off paperwork for you.

if your husband works for a big enough p[lace he can take off time from work called fmla family medical leave act.

also call other agencies at www.nichcy.org listed by state.

my dd is 22. thing s do come and go. this is a big problem for many of us.

Answer 6

ring the Red Cross for your area.  In my country they have programs where they train volunteers to come in and give you respite so that you can get your other chores done and also to just give you time out.

Good Luck

Answer 7

This won't help as far as the paper work goes, but I'm feeling the same way as I'm in the process (very beginning) of getting my 2 1/2 year old evaluated, just had my 9 year old evaluated and diagnosed this past year, and my 4 month old is showing signs of a vision problem.  I am human and only one person.  I made an appointment for myself.  I feel I need some medication to not feel so overwhelmed by everything that I'm trying to handle and deal with.  I need to do all these things (we're having problems w/the school as well), but I'm so stressed trying to handle everything that I'm not able to be the best mom I know I could be.  Just too darn stressed as anyone would be, but I'm going to get help as my kids don't need to pay for it.  I hope this helps, I wish you the best.

Answer 8

Call seeking sitters. It's a national babysitting service, and they have experienced sitters who can deal with your child. I have one day a week where they come over for a few hours, play with my autistic daughter while I do some housework, and then run errands. It's been a lifesaver. It does cost, but hey, it'll work.

I've also had my hubby come home for lunch and watch kids, although I am more likely to have him stop and pick up papers or fax them.

Instead of faxing, do they have a mailing address? It takes longer, but if you can't get in to fax them, it's taking a long time anyway, right?