national autistic society befriender scheme

[Guest guest]

hello everyone

I was lucky enough to get an interview to meet a volunteer befriender

for my 8 yr old son.

I was quite excited as the thought of a volunteer was unlikely in most modes

apart from sonrise and the odd charity. They said I could have this befriender,

but she could not change my sons soiled pants nappies or take him to the

toilet.

I expained all children may pee themselves whether neuro typical or autistic at

any given moment especailly 15 mins after a drink and they replied I would need

to be on hand to change the nappy in the home/swimming pool/ park/ trampoline or

common.

I said this rather meant the idea of a volunterr for one year; once a fortnight,

would be useless to a parent who is in need of any volunteer to have, to allow

the parent some space /respite as a parent of an autistic child,

they then moved on and thought it possible for the befriender to be with my son

but I felt that although I would long to use their service how can it help, if I

have to be on hand to channge a nappy?

any thoughts

Isobel