Just had ADOS, can i share?

[pandyandy1]

Hi there

It is policy in our area that there is no initial feedback after ADI, ADOS or setting observation... but all feedback comes at an official meeting after all have been discussed together.

My husband and I completed the ADI on Wednesday and my son had his ADOS this morning. His nursery observation is on Monday.

Not knowing anything is hard...so can I just talk trough his ADOS with you and see what you think?

My Son is just 4 with speech and language delay but can string immature sentences together to converse. He had module 2 which I remained in the room for.

-He didn't say hello to the lady and went very shy, covering is face and embarrassed smiling but he completed the puzzle task with ease asking 'I need more pieces.'
-When the lady brought out all the dolly house figures and furniture, plus a fire engine and airplane, my son completely ignored all the figures and simply rolled those two vehicles back and forth. He kept looking to me embarrassed for reassurance and just shook his head every time the lady asked him to play or encourage him by doing an imaginary scenario.
-When the lady told my Son a story he did listen but was very embarrassed/anxious/looking for reassurance the whole time, pulling on his ear etc. He didn't say anything such as when the lady said she liked cats and had a cat but he did one word answer direct questions such as who was in the bed, what are they there etc...
-When the lady put out lots of toys on the floor my Son joined her and only put two balls in the back of a truck, all the time smiling at and looking for reassurance from me. The lady did encourage him to play with one jack in a box though and he laughed as he kept popping it up.
-The lady pretended there was a sink, taps, toothbrush and paste and asked my Son to show her how to brush teeth. He put his finger to his mouth and rubbed for a few seconds. She pretended the sink and taps were still there and gave my Son a towel and soap. She asked how do we wash our face and he put the soap to his face and then after put the towel to his face.
-The lady unexpectedly used a remote control to move a car. Little man looked and smiled, though stayed where he was.
-The lady got out bubbles and my Son smiled as he popped them but no sound and he asked 'bigger' several times and smiled as the lady blew up a balloon.
-The lady tried to encourage my Son to sing happy birthday to a baby and feed her some cake before putting her to bed as she was tired. My Son destroyed the cake whilst laughing and ignored the lady's requests. He ignored her also when she pretended to burn herself on the candles.
-Finally she offered my Son some snacks and though when asked which one he wanted, my Son did not speak he did point at both snacks.

Sorry ladies, that was long, my head is over processing at the moment so what are your thoughts?

Thank you x

[SENPARENT]

What is ADI and ADOS?

[pandyandy1]

Apologies,

ADI is an Autism Diagnostic Interview and ADOS is Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.

[Ineedmorepatience]

Hang in there! The assessor will have been watching carefully and recording their observations!

[pandyandy1]

Thanks ladies! It's ridiculous because I do know we will find out soon enough. It helped actually to write what he did down though to relay to my husband later. x

[Lulu2515]

What were your thoughts on it? How did the feedback go?

[pandyandy1]

Well my initial thoughts were shock that my Son essentially kept looking to me for constant reassurance (as if saying with an embarrassed smile, mummy I just don't understand) as I really did think he would engage more than he did even if he didn't 'get it', however after constantly thinking on it...my Son (and I) only had the briefest of introductions before the assessment started, whereas whenever he has met with other professionals eg. SALTor paediatrican he has always seen me smiling and conversing with the person first, therefore making things safe/showing the situation is ok if you see what I mean?
I was also shocked by no imaginary play at all, as he would still usually move figures about etc...
BUT having said the above, as my Son's development has always seemed different to that of his sisters/nieces/nephews etc... I was pleased he showed examples of what we see at home, even if to a degree that took me by surprise.
In regards feedback from the ADI, ADOS or nursery observation...not a thing as yet. (Though the nursery teacher who saw the observation did seem to think my Son had sat and played in her words 'really well' with small world figures whilst been watched) which would contradict how he was Friday?
DEEP BREATH ...I essentially just need to have faith now in the professionals don't I.

x

[pandyandy1]

Just a short update that my Son did receive a diagnosis of Autism this week.

Not too upset, more relieved that I, (as his mum,) am not mad and haven't been 'reading too much into things' as I felt was 'suggested!!!'
I love my Son beyond belief and shall try whole heartedly to ensure that he has an enjoyable and progressive education!

Xx

[youarenotkiddingme]

Glad you got an answer form the assessment. I know myself and many here have said they had a feeling of validation (they weren't making it up or bad parents!) when they got a dx.

I'd suggest getting on the internet and researching, looking at local groups and deciding where you want to go from here.