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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

Griffiths test

21 replies

KLouise · 07/01/2008 09:17

Hi everyone,

Fairly new to this site and was hoping for a bit of advice.guidance really!! My 3 years old is due to have the griffiths test done tomorrow morning and I'm getting myself in a bit of a tiz about it, because I dont really know what it involves!! All I know is we have an appointment booked for 2hours with the paediatrician!!

They are doing the test because his speech is very poor (he communicates using makaton sign) and he didn't walk till 2yrs 2mths due to hypotonia, probably cause by contracting MRSA during his birth! He now walks pretty well, but cant jump, climb stairs, run or pedal a bike!

Any help about this test would be gratefully recieved as I feel totally in the dark about it all, and it's suddenly crept up on me!!

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sweetbean · 07/01/2008 09:31

Hi klouise

I can't help but hope that someone with lots of knowledge will come along soon good luck !!! xx

LIZS · 07/01/2008 09:40

Almost certain that is what the paed did intially with ds , although he was older (7). Basically it has a series of activites which are graded on an age-appropriate level and scale to highlight strengths and weaknesses, mainly by observation. Things like walking/running in a straight line, hopping, jumping, identifying and copying shapes, putting things in order/matching patterns, answering basic questions about himself etc. Took less than an hour overall so wonder if they either are doing shorter sections with breaks, given your sons's age, or maybe doing a general check up too. This is my thread from the time, if it helps. Good luck for tomorrow.

KLouise · 07/01/2008 09:50

Thanks, Hope they understand makaton then if they want him to answer questions!!!! Will have a look at your thread Lizs! I'm just feeling so nervous about it, mainly cos I'm worried he wont co-operate and then they'll get an untrue picture/assesment of him!!!

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r3dh3d · 07/01/2008 14:47

We've only done the lower level questions on the Griffiths, as DD1 is developmentally about 7 or 8 months. But a lot of the early questions aren't "questions" as such, more about watching them copy what you do, putting pegs in holes on a board, can they ring a bell, pick up an object by a piece of string, etc. Exactly what they do with him will depend on how old he is. So it won't be all "verbal" questions by any means.

KLouise · 07/01/2008 15:37

Thats good was a bit worried that he wouldn't be able to communicate his answers if he knew them!! Guess I'll have to see what tomorrow brings!!

Thanks for all your help everyone!

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moondog · 07/01/2008 16:46

KL,I am a salt for people with SN and very familiar with the Ruth Griffiths assessmnet.

Brilliant that you are using Makaton-one of the best ways to help facilitate speech and languge and communication in general.

KLouise · 07/01/2008 16:57

Really?? I'm sooo glad you said that!!!My salt recommeded that I discourage using it, which I thought was crazy and I have to say I have ignored her, as Ryan would sooooo frustrated without it!!! I dont need to sign to him and his understanding is fine but he signs to me so that I can understand him!! They also use it with him at his pre-school (mainstream) and he's been teaching it to them!

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moondog · 07/01/2008 17:03

Your salt recommended not using it???????

Is she fucking mad or what??

Stacks of research to show that using Makaton facilitates communication. How old is this person? Are they UK trained? They are completely barking. I am sooo shocked by what yuo tell me.

(Have you checked out the website for other useful resources too?)

moondog · 07/01/2008 17:03

Keep on signing to him too-Introduce more signs as time goes on.You need to be stretching him all the time.

KLouise · 07/01/2008 17:08

Thank you sooo much!! I must admit I was really shocked when she recommended I stopped using it! My HV told me to ignore her as well!! I think she thought I wasn't using speech at the same time or something!! I dunno!! SHe's not very old actually, if thats relevant probably 25-30ish at a guess!! HE watches something special, by Justin Fletcher and is self taught, so he teaches me all the time!! He loves being able to show me signs that I dont know (I have to go and look them up sometimes) and it makes him use wordsa to tell me what the signs are!!

Which website are you referring too?? Do you mean this one? SOrry baby brain (the joys of having a little one as well!!)

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Peachy · 07/01/2008 17:09

Poor MD- think she becomes mroe disillusioned with some of her colleagues every time she logs on.....

moondog · 07/01/2008 17:12

Makaton website

Ring and ask for a catalogue actually. I find it easier to browse like that. Something Special is terrific. [[http://www.singandsign.com/shop.php The Sing and Sign dvds are also terrific although not specifically aimed at children with SN. Signing is taking off in a big way with very young children generally which is fab.
Your salt is very poorly informed.It's shocking and yet again it isn't. Loads haven't a clue about what we call A/AC (augmentative/alternative communication) Tahnk God for your HV!

moondog · 07/01/2008 17:13

Sing and Sign

Yes Peachy, I do.

KLouise · 07/01/2008 17:16

Thanks for that, I will look into it and get a catalogue!! We have 3 of the something special DVDs that Ryan loves to watch!! It's the only that he will actually sit still and watch all the way through!!

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moondog · 07/01/2008 17:18

Justin came to one of the shool I work in and filmed a piece recently. Has yet to be aired.
Everyone was beside themselves with excitement.

KLouise · 07/01/2008 17:18

I'm just so glad to hear I'm not doing anything wrong that may hinder him more by letting him use it!! HE loves using it!!! I couldn't understand why any child learning makaton could be a problem!!! It's done me wonders I love using it too!!

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KLouise · 07/01/2008 17:19

Oooooh I'd love to meet him!! Was he as fab as he seems on TV?? Ryan would probably pass out if he met him!!!!

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KLouise · 07/01/2008 17:19

Justin is his hero!!!

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moondog · 07/01/2008 17:21

I didn't meet him but everyone said he was utterly charming and had the kids eating out of his hand.

That guy has done more to 'normalise' signing than anyone else. There is an online petition to get him an OBE. i signed it!

KLouise · 07/01/2008 17:23

Ooh yes, I did that too!!! WOuld sign it several times if I could!!!!!

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bullet123 · 07/01/2008 19:27

We use Makaton with Ds1 (he loves the Something Special shows as well) and it's been wonderful for helping him communicate and understand.

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