thanks so much for your considered reply farmergirl.

first of all, I am so glad for you that you have got some answers for your son, although I am sure that is just the beginning of a long tough road ahead. as you say it is the gateway for help so to speak, and by the sounds of it, you have help for lots of different areas.

yes I do understand about the range of normal and things changing as they get older. It just seems to me that my son is the kind of child you would not back to grow out of his problems. but then I know him better than any of his offical assessors. so maybe they just don't see it the same as me. It also seems to leave kids (and schools) without vital help just because things 'might change'. why do they not look at the kids and schools needs now - they are still valid, surely.

anyway, I know it is really all about money - they are just trying to save it where they can. times are very tight here in uk.

If i had to come down on either side of the fence, I would say that he is more adhd than asd. But I have been reading lots of research about how the two overlap. Apparently the new DSMV classification rules that asd can no longer be co-diagnosed with adhd. They say that although asds can exhibit adhd like symptoms, those symptoms should be seen as part of asd and not as distinct adhd in its own right.

It's al lfairly confusing, because clearly, the two disorders share the triad of impairments in social communication, language and repetitive behaviours. I guess the argument is that the behaviours may be similar, but arise from different causes, so that if you treat adhd with stimulants it will be more effective than if you treat asds with stimulants to get rid of hyperactivity, impulses and inattention.

Arg. That is too much to take in over my morning cup of tea.

I would love to know how you are getting on with your son. Does he have any medication and how do you find parenting a child with extra needs?

Thanks again
x