Hi gals, just had to share an interesting situation that I found the other day. We are quite lucky here in Townsville (for a regional area) to have both an active Umbrella network and some autism support groups and OT's that specialise in sensory processing. Anyway the council decided to build an "all abilities" playground and many of these groups had a hand in the design. We went along today and.... DS loved it! We could have stayed there all day I think, so much for him to do, different sensory stuff like pebbles in the concrete to walk on lots of drums/bells to ring, paths that wind around and a smelly garden -full of herbs/smelly flowers etc. Tere is very little actual playground equipment - there is a large sand pit with access to water on different levels and 2 swings and lots of balance beams and stepping stones and a large wooden fort with squishy places to hide. and of course it is all fenced!!!
Anyway the funny thing is a friend of mine went last week and was saying how disappointed she was in it, no equipment and what was there she had to teach her chhild how to use where as my little man just went to town! How interesting it is for parents of "normal" children to see our side of life in the all abilitiies playground - whereas I am normally the one having to teach DS how to use equipment and due to his low muscle tone and uncoordination he often can't use any of it now he has found "his place"
We also met a lot of other like minded families - lots of yelling screaming kids (in a good way- well in an autistic good way) I think I have found my favourite place to hang out on weekends :-)
Ooooh. I'm sooooo tired. And tired cos I can't see it ending soon .
So Mitch has been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder. Going to an OT once a f/night which is good but sometimes confusing.
She says his grip on the pencil isn't right, picks up that he has problem cutting out shapes with scissors, and tracing out lines.
Kinder teacher thinks this is a pile of bollocks - she even took a photo of the way he holds his pencil, says his concentration is pretty good and he does things on his own - even practicing his writing for ages. His latest colour in was REALLY good. Didn't show any real signs fine motor probs etc.
Kinder teacher is amazing with ds. Does a LOT of work with him and his meltdowns, has all the patience in the world and sends me sensory info and gives DS books to read "when I'm feeling angry etc" and return.
So I'm neither here nor there about the OT.
Had a meltdown a few weeks ago about him going to school next year. Mainly after the kinder AGM where they had 2 teachers from the school come to talk. Yes, it's great that they have small classes etc, but it was beginning to grate on me hearing about how the preps are writing at Gr2 level etc. All well and good for the rest of the world but what about that ones that don't march to THAT beat?
Anyhoo, found an alternative school that won't bat an eyelid when he wants to go outside and run around in the middle of a lesson - they will understand why he does it. They will encourage him to go pat the horses or chase the chickens when he is building up to a spazzout. They will not only listen when he bangs on about Great Engineering Feats of the World - they will push him further to explore.
So there - up yours establishment.
I'm so tired. He is doing really well but the meltdowns are always around the corner. It's starting to kill me when he wakes up grumpy - that's a looong day. I'm sad for him because we are getting further with the emotional side of it...but now he cries and says he hates himself for losing control and lashing out.
Lulu, DS1 is similar. We know his fine motor skills are behind (and in our case kindy agrees), it's probably due to his low muscle tone. So he is doing OT once a week at the moment to try and bring him up to scratch for school next year. Not just fine motor skills but social stuff too. But here's the thing - sometimes his drawing / colouring etc is really, really good and I find myself scratching my head about the fine motor skills. I'm wondering if it's to do with frame of mind etc. Also, we've found he's better when he's warmed up (eg done some warm up exercises first, especially for fingers), so maybe it's related to that too. Anyway, just wanted you to know that you're not alone!
I also think you've done exactly the right thing with finding the alternative school. You are going to be so happy with that decision.
lulu - the new school sounds fantastic!!!! Well done! Finding a good OT is tricky, some friends of mine have seen OT's that don't do a thing for their kids, does your OT specilaise in sensory processing? Have you checked out the sue larkey website? She has heaps of books to help you devise your own sensory integration programs. DS copes OK with fine motor when he is insync (doesn't happen all that often) There can also be an issue with sensory processing and actually getting the visual/writing connection happening - so yes pencil grip might be good but when he is asked to draw a specific shape, trace a line, copy an object the sensory issues can interfere with his ability to take in the visula info and then spit it out again - does that make sense?
Xander had an underdeveloped pencil grip but now does well. He used to refuse to colour or write but now he enjoys it (as long as his other sensory needs are met - basically a constant battle) Xander has so many sensory issues it's like trying to keep a container balanced on a balance scale with ahole in the bottom and a tap dripping into it - it's a constant battle to stimulate one area and decrease the other and I have to admit at the moment I am failing dismally so we are getting a lot of behaviours as he seeks out the stimulation he needs.
Ds really strives to do the right thing too - which is great - as hard as it is on them it means they are working on the same page as you - your DS sounds so much like my little guy - esp the bit about him waking up grumpy - hated those days - have you tried noticing if there is something that sets him off like things being moved or a different routine in the morning - DS used to have a meltdown if I was out of bed before him and there was no getting back on track after that - LOL got to the point where I would hear him get up and run back to bed.
Gotta go - battery is almost dead. Hope everything goes well with the new school - look forward to hearing all about it!!!
sorry i been missing action just been trying to cope and failing dp is away for work and im on my own been trying to keep comming in here and update by the time i get him to bed im mentaly exhusted
My Alex has SPD and seeks deep pressure so he likes to bump and bounce into things (including the floor), likes to be wrapped in a sheet, loves the trampoline and space hopper. He sometimes says that he 'can't feel himself'. Part of our morning routine now is deep pressure/muscle type exercises to help him regulate himself and for him to be able to feel himself before he goes to speech or early intervention. The change has been dramatic and ace. I don't dread going out anymore or have to hold my breath when we walk past a kmart and say that we're not going in to look at trains
The thing with the fingers - some schools call it funny fingers - putting pegs around the edge of a basket, popping bubble wrap with finger tips, ruling lines, ripping paper, those mini hammer and nail sets for kids.
If OTs are like speechies - they come in a variety of abilities and you don't really know a 'dud' one until you've experienced an exceptional one.
barbie-up thats fantastic!!! We STILL have meltdowns when we walk past something M wants to see, but I can't do at that moment.... and we've been doing regulation work with an amazing OT for almost 12 months going weekly & sometimes fortnightly when she's in a bad way.
We went back to our behavioural paed two weeks ago who reprimended me for not doing enough he said she should be in speech and a behavioural thing like ABA or RDI etc etc... floortime.... ARGH. As if I don't have enough stuff with her kidney issues and OT.... *deep breath* So today we are going to a speechie for an assessment to decide if she needs some help. Next week we start RDI.... its a behavioural approach to help parents teach their ASD kidlets how to respond in social situations without losing who they are.... sounds interesting & I'll let you know how we go
.
he said she should be in speech and a behavioural thing like ABA or RDI etc etc... floortime.... ARGH. As if I don't have enough stuff with her kidney issues and OT.... *deep breath* So today we are going to a speechie for an assessment to decide if she needs some help. Next week we start RDI.... its a behavioural approach to help parents teach their ASD kidlets how to respond in social situations without losing who they are.... sounds interesting & I'll let you know how we go 
Bookmarks