Thanks saram, i really appreciate your imput What you said about EI and the funding has definitely made me more eager to get a diagnosis ASAP. I think you're right about getting it as soon as possible so we can access the funding for all the programs and specialists Ethan will need. I've called Minds and Hearts and left a message. Ethan has an initial appointment with the OT in 2 weeks so that will be good. I hadn't realised how much trouble Ethan has with sensory stuff until his speech path sent us a checklist type thingy about sensory issues...Ethan ticks heaps of boxes for being under sensitive to movement eg he runs back and fourth all the time, is constantly moveing, jumping, spinning etc. He also had motor planning difficulties and gross motor difficulties... which is why he misspronounces the words he can say. I'm so glad someone made that clear to me, for ages i've been worried about how he says things and why sometimes he says a word clearly and other times he doesn't and now i know that its because his little mouth has trouble making all the sounds properly. I feel like i've just had another break through in getting to know my son. Having a name for the things he does is really helpful. Thats why i think a formal diagnosis is going to help me understand him better.
If anyone wants a copy of the sensory checklist thingy just let me know, although i'm sure most of you already know your little one's strengths and struggles.
Anywho, we haven't heard back about hubby's job interveiw yet..they said he's hear either way by the end of next week so fingers crossed!
oh i told them and they said let us know he has allready made 2 care workers quit they say hes so full on they cant handle it i deal with it 24/7 and i havent had a break down so yeah i think they need to train them better as the normal day care ladies delt with him for 3 mnths before a care worker was arranged so ihe can be looked after hes just alott of work
oh yeah i was so excited i bought him a new thomas toy as i have been trying to get him to show some affection for ages he does show it but he almost strangles you or taps you on the head like a dog
i have just been reasearching as much as i can and recording all the things he does daily so i can work on weak points
speach path is hard as so manny kids seem them now it took me 2 mnths to get a 6 week block and now i think it might take longer to get another found out the ot has a 7 mnth waiting list oh joy so im thinking of going to norsemen and kalgoolie and sussing out what services they have and the disbilty commision is trying to get me on the respit list but i wont hold my breath on that one
oh murray has started hittin himself on the head with his fists he does it randomly but with so much force i have no idea why hes doing it
Murrays mum - Hugs on the daycare situation, hope you can get something sorted soon. With the head hitting - it is usually a sensory processing thing or in frustration. For sensory processing - when Xander starts hitting himself we do some big bear hugs instead and encourage him to ask for bear hugs instead of hitting himself when he feels that way. Another good thing is to wrap them up in a donna and shake/jiggle them - easier to do when there are two of you - I can't do Xander by myself he is too heavy. We bought him a net swing and a body sock to try and help out with this at home and this is why I want to get a foam tunnel (this is what they use at OT) and roll/rock him up.
If it's frustration you will need to figure out his triggers like Christy suggested. We found sticking to a routine and doing lots of this will be next then we will... Picture cards can help too if you can get round to making them. I did find a link somewhere of picture cards you could just print out - I will see if I can find it again
Lestyrox - yeah the sensory checklist is amazing isn't it! My hubby said to our OT - how did you know all this stuff about our son :-) Especially the part about not being able to lick icecream properly - this blew him away as he now had a reason as to WHY his son struggled with these things!!!
We had an appt with an OT on Thurs. She has identified a sensory processing thingo. Will get more info when she scores the assessment.
She picked up motor skills from his handwriting but personally I think that's bollocks because no one has taught him how to write, he isn't at school yet. I pointed that out but she said something about how he forms the letters but I still think its bollocks at this age.
Maybe it forms part of a bigger picture.
I was so exhausted from running up and down ladders painting for the last three days that I don't think I took much in tbh Something about him seeking extra information during quiet play and looking around the room alot, talking heaps etc.
Actually I'm still leaning towards the word bollocks. I can't help it. I most certainly agree his brain is wired slightly differently, I've been saying that for years, I can't quite see how those tests brought her to this conclusion. He was his usual chatty, very polite, funny self. No meltdowns, no frustrations shown.
OT wants me to take him to a Paed for formal diagnoses in case he needs help at school. She is going to get him into a group to get him ready for school which we will do, but I'm not sure he really really needs it (will do it for peace of mind). Kinder has been doing a sterling job.
At the 1/2 year parent interview I was told he doesn't call out at the wrong time, contributes well to all discussions, and although he will have a crap day from time to time he certainly "isn't the worst on for it".
I dunno, I can't help feeling cynical that he has been diagnosed with a sensory issue after one hour with an OT. Is that right?
Sorry that Ive been quiet...so many issues and we were away for a family holiday for 2 weeks.
QLD was great...Wilhelm had a ball but then when we went to NSW we realised it was to much and to long. We had bed wetting...even hitting ourselves in the head.
I got so grrr at inlaws......they just dont understand that he needs his own space and kept saying you have a bed here if you need it...its like they are trying it make us feel guilty for not taking them up on it.
So now we've been home for 4 days and we're still paying fo rit with attitude and swearing
going to grab a cuppa and read back....sorry for not making reference to anyone...need some time without amigo's at my feet to read your posts properly
Lulu I understand your thinking of bollocks. But then they are trained professionals and they look for things that might not stand out to you but add up to them as being typical traits iykwim. So part of the bigger picture as you say I'm not saying take her word as gospel but don't discount it.
M has never seen an OT because we went straight to the ped due to wanting him assessed before school started. He has seen a speech therapist and a psych though through the school.
It wouldn't hurt to even make an appointment because there is usually a 3 month wait and the year is running out! You can cancel it if you feel it's not nescessary or you can go along and talk to the ped about stuff. It is exxy though for the first visit but there is the medicare safety net so if you're up to it you really don't have a lot to lose financially.
The only thing I'll say is that if it becomes evident that he needs a learning assistant (LA) and it is some way into the school year before he gets asssessed then you may not get one.
Funding applications for the year has to be in by end of Feb so if it's not done then there is no LA for the year! If the application is in before the cut off then it has to go through the system and then the LA position has to be advertised and interviews blah blah etc. M didn't get his till 2nd semester in prep and while he was doing OK, the improvement in his frustration and mood improved remarkably. That's why he has a LA. It's not so much for him academically, although he is a visual learner more than an aural learner, but it's helping him learn coping skills and resilience when things don't go how he thinks they should. We still have head punching frustration episodes if he's had a bad day but they are easier to manage.
Sorry bit of an epic!
Last edited by ~Raven~; December 29th, 2009 at 07:15 AM.
Yeah, I will do it first thing Monday. I'm not sure why she thinks he might need an assistant, maybe to help keep him foccused? Will still get in the line jic...
He can go a bit nuts if things don't go his way though. That part does worry me. In CC and Kinder he is around some very patient and understanding people. He might not get that at school. I really want him to attend the local, but if it doesn't work out there is a Montessori about 15 mins away.
The speech therapy where Alex goes has a jumpoline with mattresses of foam pieces and Alex loves it. He also likes to be wrapped up in a cot sheet and says sometimes that he 'can't feel himself' - especially at bed time. I've started giving him 20 firm massage like strokes and make sure he is tucked in firmly.
I think that kinda and creche - they like how the routine is the same and that they're all doing pretty much the same thing and that they can watch the others if they're not sure. I'm hoping school is just a bigger version of that.
I've also heard that the helping children with autism funding is being extended to three years, has anyone else heard this ?
What you said about EI and the funding has definitely made me more eager to get a diagnosis ASAP. I think you're right about getting it as soon as possible so we can access the funding for all the programs and specialists Ethan will need. I've called Minds and Hearts and left a message. Ethan has an initial appointment with the OT in 2 weeks so that will be good. I hadn't realised how much trouble Ethan has with sensory stuff until his speech path sent us a checklist type thingy about sensory issues...Ethan ticks heaps of boxes for being under sensitive to movement eg he runs back and fourth all the time, is constantly moveing, jumping, spinning etc. He also had motor planning difficulties and gross motor difficulties... which is why he misspronounces the words he can say. I'm so glad someone made that clear to me, for ages i've been worried about how he says things and why sometimes he says a word clearly and other times he doesn't and now i know that its because his little mouth has trouble making all the sounds properly. I feel like i've just had another break through in getting to know my son. Having a name for the things he does is really helpful. Thats why i think a formal diagnosis is going to help me understand him better.
Something about him seeking extra information during quiet play and looking around the room alot, talking heaps etc.
I'm not saying take her word as gospel but don't discount it.
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