It's less than a year until Adam starts school. That's scary!
His Preschool Specialist has started collecting information off his therapists so that we can apply for an EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan) to get Adam's additional needs met when he starts school.
We looked round a Special Needs school recently and I have an appointment later this week to look at a mainstream school. There is a lot of pressure on us to send him to Special Needs school but neither of us were excited by what we saw.. We will have to wait until I've seen the other school this week and maybe we might have to look at a few more.
One thing I'm very aware of is that Adam is receiving a lot less therapy than children in other countries. I follow many pages on Facebook and am a member of several Special Needs groups. One of the pages I follow is about a little boy called Michael who lives in Australia. He is almost the same age as Adam with almost identical diagnoses of Autism and Global Development Delay. He has eight hours a day with an ABA therapist!
That's a lot of therapy for a three year old. Adam probably sees Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy for no more than a few hours a month. We have to do the rest of the work with him ourselves.
I am starting a more structured routine this week with his therapy. I want to mirror the same routine he has with his therapists and have set times for sessions. Adam always works well in the morning, we arrange his sessions for 9.30 where possible. I've learned a lot from watching his therapists and I have been watching videos on YouTube, especially by an amazing therapist called Phoebe Caldwell. I also picked up some of her books in the library on Saturday. She does incredible work with children using Intensive Interaction, I plan on using this therapy a lot with Adam. There are some amazing results online.
It's going to be a busy year.
Monday, 6 November 2017
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Holidays are Coming
I haven't posted for ages! Sorry.
It has been a whirlwind few months and I will try not to forget anything.
Adam had two sessions with an Occupational Therapist. The results were amazing.
She sat him on a peanut gym ball in front of a long mirror and bounced him. He loved it and when she stopped she used his hands to sign 'more.' After about three bounces he took her hands and signed 'more' himself. I am using the technique at home and it is working for us too. We are waiting for dates for a further four sessions with a different therapist.
I also had a Team around the child meeting. It was a better turn out than last time when there were just four of us. We had: Early Support, Preschool Specialist, Preschool SENCO, Speech and Language, Health Visitor and Occupational Therapist as well as me. We discussed schools, respite, extra sessions at preschool and how he is improving.
I finished a ten week Good Beginnings course that I went to on a Wednesday afternoon while Adam was at preschool. I met other parents who also had autistic pre-schoolers. Adam was the youngest and the other children were lower on the spectrum but I picked up some useful information.
Adam has to have glasses! I'm picking them up tomorrow morning. No idea how that is going to work out, watch this space.
Adam is having a six week course of Intensive Interaction at the moment. He had his second session yesterday. It involves the therapist following him round and copying his actions and sounds. I have read some good reports on this treatment so I am excited to see how things go over the next four sessions.
I received a call back from the Special Needs school that we are looking into as one of our options. The earliest appointment available for looking round is October. I know the demand for places is greater than the available places so we will have to wait and see.
Next week is Adam's final session at preschool before the summer holidays. When he goes back in September they will have a brand new building as the school needs the classrooms back. I hope Adam will love it.
It has been a whirlwind few months and I will try not to forget anything.
Adam had two sessions with an Occupational Therapist. The results were amazing.
She sat him on a peanut gym ball in front of a long mirror and bounced him. He loved it and when she stopped she used his hands to sign 'more.' After about three bounces he took her hands and signed 'more' himself. I am using the technique at home and it is working for us too. We are waiting for dates for a further four sessions with a different therapist.
I also had a Team around the child meeting. It was a better turn out than last time when there were just four of us. We had: Early Support, Preschool Specialist, Preschool SENCO, Speech and Language, Health Visitor and Occupational Therapist as well as me. We discussed schools, respite, extra sessions at preschool and how he is improving.
I finished a ten week Good Beginnings course that I went to on a Wednesday afternoon while Adam was at preschool. I met other parents who also had autistic pre-schoolers. Adam was the youngest and the other children were lower on the spectrum but I picked up some useful information.
Adam has to have glasses! I'm picking them up tomorrow morning. No idea how that is going to work out, watch this space.
Adam is having a six week course of Intensive Interaction at the moment. He had his second session yesterday. It involves the therapist following him round and copying his actions and sounds. I have read some good reports on this treatment so I am excited to see how things go over the next four sessions.
I received a call back from the Special Needs school that we are looking into as one of our options. The earliest appointment available for looking round is October. I know the demand for places is greater than the available places so we will have to wait and see.
Next week is Adam's final session at preschool before the summer holidays. When he goes back in September they will have a brand new building as the school needs the classrooms back. I hope Adam will love it.
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Adam is 3
On Saturday it was Adam's 3rd birthday, I'm not sure if he noticed though. He pushed the cards away when we showed them to him and showed no interest in the presents, unless you consider trying to eat them showing an interest.
We went to visit family and he seemed to enjoy that, just being in a different environment and being round different children.
We bought him new things for his birthday in an attempt to stimulate him: play doh, wooden puzzle, shape sorters etc. The plan is to keep them separate so that we can use them during therapy sessions, hopefully that will keep him interested for longer. I have started to keep a record of the activities that we do with him, along with some comments about how interested he was and for how long.
Last week he started doing an extra session at preschool on a Wednesday afternoon, enabling me to attend a 10 week course called Good Beginnings, for parents of Autistic pre-schoolers. The first session was an eye-opener. There were only 4 other parents there and their children were able to do much more than Adam. They enjoyed certain toys, games etc. Adam just chews and watches baby TV.
We also had a meeting last week at preschool, with his preschool specialist. We discussed options for schooling and she has offered to come with us to look around the Special Needs School, if that's what we want. I am interested in looking but daddy is apprehensive at the moment.
We went to visit family and he seemed to enjoy that, just being in a different environment and being round different children.
We bought him new things for his birthday in an attempt to stimulate him: play doh, wooden puzzle, shape sorters etc. The plan is to keep them separate so that we can use them during therapy sessions, hopefully that will keep him interested for longer. I have started to keep a record of the activities that we do with him, along with some comments about how interested he was and for how long.
Last week he started doing an extra session at preschool on a Wednesday afternoon, enabling me to attend a 10 week course called Good Beginnings, for parents of Autistic pre-schoolers. The first session was an eye-opener. There were only 4 other parents there and their children were able to do much more than Adam. They enjoyed certain toys, games etc. Adam just chews and watches baby TV.
We also had a meeting last week at preschool, with his preschool specialist. We discussed options for schooling and she has offered to come with us to look around the Special Needs School, if that's what we want. I am interested in looking but daddy is apprehensive at the moment.
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Julia and Pablo
I'm not good at blogging regularly, I'm sorry and I'll try harder.
It has been an exciting time for Autism families recently. The past week my Facebook newsfeed has been full of articles about the new muppet being bought to Sesame Street, Julia, a little girl muppet with Autism. I have watched some of the clips and it is exciting. I know I won't be able to access it in the UK, but there's always YouTube.
Yesterday I also saw an interview where it was revealed that CBeebies are bringing out a series about a little boy called Pablo who is also on the spectrum.
Happy days for Autism families, right?
As long as you don't get tempted to read the comment threads on the articles. There will be a lot of encouraging comments but unfortunately there are a lot of hate-filled comments too.
Here are a few examples of things I've read: Autism doesn't exist, It's a made up condition to cover up for bad parenting or Why do we need disabled characters, what's next a transgender muppet? or I once hired my beach house out to a family with an autistic 8-year-old, he was a little **** and needed a good slap, I refused to allow them to use it or Autism didn't exist 20 years ago.
Autism did exist 20 years ago, it wasn't talked about so much and wasn't supported the way it is today.
There are many more examples sadly. How is discrimination like this allowed?
It saddens me because I worry about the future for my son and other children. I've always considered myself to be tough but I'm finding it hard this week.
Things will settle down, the sick, hateful people will get over it and we will have a world with more Autism Awareness, that will be a wonderful thing.
It has been an exciting time for Autism families recently. The past week my Facebook newsfeed has been full of articles about the new muppet being bought to Sesame Street, Julia, a little girl muppet with Autism. I have watched some of the clips and it is exciting. I know I won't be able to access it in the UK, but there's always YouTube.
Yesterday I also saw an interview where it was revealed that CBeebies are bringing out a series about a little boy called Pablo who is also on the spectrum.
Happy days for Autism families, right?
As long as you don't get tempted to read the comment threads on the articles. There will be a lot of encouraging comments but unfortunately there are a lot of hate-filled comments too.
Here are a few examples of things I've read: Autism doesn't exist, It's a made up condition to cover up for bad parenting or Why do we need disabled characters, what's next a transgender muppet? or I once hired my beach house out to a family with an autistic 8-year-old, he was a little **** and needed a good slap, I refused to allow them to use it or Autism didn't exist 20 years ago.
Autism did exist 20 years ago, it wasn't talked about so much and wasn't supported the way it is today.
There are many more examples sadly. How is discrimination like this allowed?
It saddens me because I worry about the future for my son and other children. I've always considered myself to be tough but I'm finding it hard this week.
Things will settle down, the sick, hateful people will get over it and we will have a world with more Autism Awareness, that will be a wonderful thing.
Thursday, 23 February 2017
A Visit To Grandma's House
Last week was half-term and we travelled to Lincolnshire to visit Grandma.
We hadn't been since last summer and Adam managed to squeeze into a
travel cot last time. There was no chance he was going to manage that this
visit.
Hubby and I discussed what we could do for sleeping arrangements this
time. Adam has to sleep in the same room as us while we are there so we
can keep him safe. The room isn't large and has a double bed and fitted cupboards
already in there.
We found a blow up bed online that seemed perfect. It had sides so he couldn't
roll out and a blow up mattress. 'Perfect,' we thought.
We bought our chewy son a blow up bed!
Guess what was the first thing he did when we put him to bed? Tried to chew
the sides.
The rest of the week I had to stay with him until he fell asleep and if he woke
in the night one of us had to jump up to stop him chewing.
Lesson learned, Adam and blow up beds are not a good idea.
Not much else new except the referral has been made for a Special Needs
Pushchair. Might be a long wait but at least it is moving forward.
We hadn't been since last summer and Adam managed to squeeze into a
travel cot last time. There was no chance he was going to manage that this
visit.
Hubby and I discussed what we could do for sleeping arrangements this
time. Adam has to sleep in the same room as us while we are there so we
can keep him safe. The room isn't large and has a double bed and fitted cupboards
already in there.
We found a blow up bed online that seemed perfect. It had sides so he couldn't
roll out and a blow up mattress. 'Perfect,' we thought.
We bought our chewy son a blow up bed!
Guess what was the first thing he did when we put him to bed? Tried to chew
the sides.
The rest of the week I had to stay with him until he fell asleep and if he woke
in the night one of us had to jump up to stop him chewing.
Lesson learned, Adam and blow up beds are not a good idea.
Not much else new except the referral has been made for a Special Needs
Pushchair. Might be a long wait but at least it is moving forward.
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Team Around The Child
It's been longer than planned since my last post, it's been hectic at home.
We are having new flooring put in that will hopefully be safer for Adam and easier to keep clean for me.
Since the last post I went to a Team Around the Child meeting. There were only three other people who could attend besides me but it was a useful meeting.
The best part was getting confirmation that Adam can have another session at preschool from Easter, and a fourth from September. This has been hard to achieve due to the fact that he needs one to one care and we were trying to ensure that he could have the same keyworker that he has at present. They have confirmed that he will have her working with him until he goes to school.
We did discuss the school choices briefly. They seemed confident that there was a realistic option for Adam to attend mainstream school. We will discuss it further in September and an ECHP will be put in place.
I asked at the meeting about the possibility of getting a Special Needs Pushchair as Adam's stimming is an issue and he is able to wrap his feet in the wheels of his, which he does constantly while we are out. They have suggested I contact Wheelchair Services and I have emailed them and am waiting for a response.
My Early Support Practitioner, who chaired the meeting, gave me lots of information about local attractions that Adam and I can go to for free or for a small amount of money. She also gave us details of caravans and beach huts that we can get access to that are adapted to suit our needs. I wish we had heard about them before we booked this years holiday! Would've saved a fortune.
I was offered 4 hours respite a month which was a surprise as I've heard stories from other Autism parents about how they've had to fight for it. I won't be taking advantage of it while he's so young but it's nice to know I have the option in future.
Also since the last post Adam has taken to chewing holes in my sofa. I walked in to find him with a big lump of ripped sofa hanging from his mouth!
I know this blog is new but I've had some positive feedback. Thanks for reading.
We are having new flooring put in that will hopefully be safer for Adam and easier to keep clean for me.
Since the last post I went to a Team Around the Child meeting. There were only three other people who could attend besides me but it was a useful meeting.
The best part was getting confirmation that Adam can have another session at preschool from Easter, and a fourth from September. This has been hard to achieve due to the fact that he needs one to one care and we were trying to ensure that he could have the same keyworker that he has at present. They have confirmed that he will have her working with him until he goes to school.
We did discuss the school choices briefly. They seemed confident that there was a realistic option for Adam to attend mainstream school. We will discuss it further in September and an ECHP will be put in place.
I asked at the meeting about the possibility of getting a Special Needs Pushchair as Adam's stimming is an issue and he is able to wrap his feet in the wheels of his, which he does constantly while we are out. They have suggested I contact Wheelchair Services and I have emailed them and am waiting for a response.
My Early Support Practitioner, who chaired the meeting, gave me lots of information about local attractions that Adam and I can go to for free or for a small amount of money. She also gave us details of caravans and beach huts that we can get access to that are adapted to suit our needs. I wish we had heard about them before we booked this years holiday! Would've saved a fortune.
I was offered 4 hours respite a month which was a surprise as I've heard stories from other Autism parents about how they've had to fight for it. I won't be taking advantage of it while he's so young but it's nice to know I have the option in future.
Also since the last post Adam has taken to chewing holes in my sofa. I walked in to find him with a big lump of ripped sofa hanging from his mouth!
I know this blog is new but I've had some positive feedback. Thanks for reading.
Friday, 27 January 2017
Speech and Language Therapy
Today Adam had his second session of Intensive Speech and Language Therapy.
He has had S&L sessions before but they were less intense and focused more on encouraging him to play with toys and make eye contact.
The past two intensive sessions have had me crawling around the living room on my hands and knees copying all the sounds and actions that Adam made. It is hard on the knees! He just looked at me like I was mad.
One of my favourite parts of the session was when I sat with him on the floor while the therapist sat opposite with a bag of sensory toys. She would sing I've got something in my bag, in my bag, in my bag, let's see what it is and then pull out something like a flashing ball, encouraging him to follow it with his eyes. After a short time she would put it back and repeat with another toy. He managed to focus for quite a while. That's something I will definitely try with him each day.
The aim is to start with small actions and then add to it a little at a time. Baby steps. It will be a long process and eventually we will add in Makaton. He is still young so he has quite a while until he has to go to school.
We also had an appointment with his Preschool specialist on Tuesday, at preschool, to discuss how he is doing and talk about how we can work together to help him.
I was a little disappointed to find out that it is unlikely that his sessions will increase by Easter. He only does two mornings at the moment and I was hoping for at least one more after Easter. He needs 1-1 care and the lady who takes care of him, who is brilliant, can't do extra sessions. Will have to discuss this with them further.
On Monday he is going to a sensory stay and play session at the local library. We couldn't make the last course so I am hoping we will make all 3 sessions this time.
He has had S&L sessions before but they were less intense and focused more on encouraging him to play with toys and make eye contact.
The past two intensive sessions have had me crawling around the living room on my hands and knees copying all the sounds and actions that Adam made. It is hard on the knees! He just looked at me like I was mad.
One of my favourite parts of the session was when I sat with him on the floor while the therapist sat opposite with a bag of sensory toys. She would sing I've got something in my bag, in my bag, in my bag, let's see what it is and then pull out something like a flashing ball, encouraging him to follow it with his eyes. After a short time she would put it back and repeat with another toy. He managed to focus for quite a while. That's something I will definitely try with him each day.
The aim is to start with small actions and then add to it a little at a time. Baby steps. It will be a long process and eventually we will add in Makaton. He is still young so he has quite a while until he has to go to school.
We also had an appointment with his Preschool specialist on Tuesday, at preschool, to discuss how he is doing and talk about how we can work together to help him.
I was a little disappointed to find out that it is unlikely that his sessions will increase by Easter. He only does two mornings at the moment and I was hoping for at least one more after Easter. He needs 1-1 care and the lady who takes care of him, who is brilliant, can't do extra sessions. Will have to discuss this with them further.
On Monday he is going to a sensory stay and play session at the local library. We couldn't make the last course so I am hoping we will make all 3 sessions this time.
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