I am posting the rather long report from my son's nursery. Basically I have had concerns about ds attention, his father has ADHD and ever since ds was born he was very rigid, stiff never happy awful colic took him to hospital once and a paediatrician on holding him said he "felt different" to other babies- just stiff and even now when I try to hold him he's the same. He is very "hyper", and this includes he literally cannot just sit still he HAS to be moving, even in his sleep he's constantly tapping a foot or rolling everywhere. Cannot even give him a hug as I can't have his attention for long enough. He is obsessed with trains to the point they are all he has ever played with, for bday etc all he gets is new trains he is not interested in any other toys. Sometimes he just "switches off" and I can be stood in front of him saying "George, george, george" and he's just staring into space not hearing me. Maybe I am being paranoid, I grew up with an autistic brother ad wonder if this led to me looking for a problem with ds. Who knows I guess only time will tell, he'll be 4 next month so still v early for any kind of diagnosis. He's also delayed in his speech. Anyway I'm sharing his nursery report with you ladies for your opinions- the majority of it is positive but the bits that stick out to me like the drawing of the same picture over and over I'm not sure whether to be concerned...
G has always been absorbed in his play and is drawn to familiar play experiences especially the train track. G is able to sit still for short periods of time listening to stories and friends share their news. G may need reminding at times to look forward and wait to speak but with adult support he is an active member of circle time. G takes pride in his achievements and strives to be as independent as he can at nursery, managing bathroom skills, dressing and undressing and eating and resting appropriately. He is able to make choices and shows verbal and physical preferences.
He manages his behaviour with developing confidence and understanding looking to adults for support when necessary and checking his own and others movements. George can become excitable in his play which can lead to high volume and careless body skills accidentally bumping or treading on friends. George has a good network of friends who are all pleased to see him and share their play.
He works hard on his language and understanding skills to interact and play along some themed play with his peers. George is beginning to use a wider range of words and link his statements to what he wants or is doing, he finds it more challenging to elaborate on ideas for e.g. when asked "where" his rocket was going George answered "rocket fly". Developing his understanding of where and how has been recommended by the speech therapist who has visited us in nursery. George is beginning to speak more clearly and audibly and is showing some control over his sounds. George organises his make believe play around familiar characters- fireman sam, and the sounds for trains and cars.
At present george does not link words and letter sounds. He is able to recognise his own name, but doesn't want to sit and make letter shapes or explore writing. He is forming recognisable face shapes with body parts and names his pictures ef "mummy and george". He becomes engrossed in his pictures making play and will draw similar pictures over and over again on numerous pieces of paper. He chooses not to add colour or differing media to his pictures even though available. George enjoys counting and can recognise familiar numbers with confidence and pride. At present he does not offer the correct amount of blocks asked for by staff straight away, he continues his count. However with adult support and shared language reminding him of the number he can correctly count out the number asked for.
George is a happy and valued member of the nursery. he is always excited and motivated to join in and learn. Although easily distracted he works well in a small group taking turns to talk and share the activity. George responds well to simple instructions best kept short and to the point.