Asperger Child

[auskiwi]

I teach in an Auckland school and have a diagnosed Aspergers child in my class (he is a joy to teach!). As far as support goes, he gets teacher aid support for one hour, two days a week - other than that he is fully functioning in the mainstream classroom. Our school is highly multicultural (this little boy is indian) and many of our special needs students have immigrated to NZ from other places, so it would appear that immigration processes are not strictly restrictive. Hope this helps!

Amy.

[lockstock]

Asperger Kids (and grown-ups) need a little more help in understanding our world. They are fantastic. AS is for life but its effects/noticeability are lessened by teaching them how to deal the world the way other non-aspie people do. In fact, there are more people out there with AS than we think and they are leading successful lives with jobs, businesses and families.
Joanne G...my job is teaching tolerance about AS in schools as well as helping AS kids cope with mainstream schooling. I can't see any reason whatsoever why it should have any effect on visa appplications.

[NoelMC]

Our youngest has Aspergers, we are off to school this week to sit around the table with all the assorted experts to discuss his progress.
If I'm honest I would thank the school and the Senco for their help and ask the others what they actually do for a living.
I think it is to stall, pontificate, etc so he will then be old enough to leave school before they can actually do anything to help him.
But maybe I'm just an old cynic.....................

[speckythecky]

I agree that the process can be painfully slow, but we had a good ed psych, although to be honest she hasn't really done much, other than give advice to us and the school.

[pinkpiggy]

Just thought I'd give you an update on Joe and his Aspergers and school.

He has now been in a NZ school for 6 weeks and is coping really well. We had a meeting this week with his teacher who said he has settled in well, joins in with everything, even when he finds it difficult and is an absolute joy to teach. She has picked up on some traits and this was the reason for the meeting to make sure she was dealing with them correctly and also to know what other things to look out for. We will have another meeting next term to discuss his progress. It was all very encouraging.

He has also been referred to a Paediatrician here but is waiting for an appointment. This will take between 3-6 months although we have friends who were wating for an appointment and they have just received one for 2 months time. So hopefully our appointment won't be too far away.

I also found this book extremely helpful - "A Parent's Guide to Asperger Syndrome & High-Functioning Autism", written by Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson and James McPartland. Just reading the first few pages it was like - woah - this is so Joe!

Hope this post helps others who may be coming over to NZ with children with Aspergers.

[Sam B]

Glad things are going well for Joe at school Paula.

[lockstock]

Absolutely delighted for you all. It sounds like you have found a great school. They are so lucky to have the privilege of having Joe as a pupil. Keep us informed of their progress please! And Joe, enjoy your new life in New Zealand

[Greg SA]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the advise. We have done our medicals now and submitted our Visa applications.
The Doc did note my sons condition, and marked the significant finds block on the medical form. Now I guess we just have to wait it out.

Cheers for now

[pinkpiggy]

Good luck. Hope all goes well.

[lockstock]

Good luck and very best wishes