SALT for social interaction/behaviour issues-experiences?

[KentuckyFriedChildren]

Had a meeting with ds's teacher and the learning support officer this afternoon. They are referring him to SALT for assessment due to issues with his behaviour and problems with "transition" (ie he doesn't do well with changes during the school day etc). Can anyone give me an idea of what they might do/ look for? He is 5 soon btw and in p1 (scotland). Thanks

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I have to disappear for a bit but will checkback a hopefully someone will havereplied

Well they'll be checking how his expressive and receptive speech are, any communication issues, what his social skills are like whether he has any imaginative play, how rigid his behaviour is and whether he needs a referral to a paediatrician to explore the possibility of autism spectrum disorder. Your ds will just see it as someone bringing toys and wanting to play with him.

Oh thanks. I have often wondered if he may have aspergers. It runs in our family a bit and he does show some signs but its difficult to tell really not being a professional myself if the things I see are just quirks rather than aspie behaviours. Certainly nobody else has picked up on them as I have and Dh thinks he is just like he was at that age (which was a bit high spirited and bad tempered at times apparently) but I disagree as does mil, who surely knows better than anyone! Any advice?

Well having two with autism myself I'd say that you should definitely write down a timeline of his development so far and include a list of all his quirks. Mention that Aspergers runs in your family too as the genetic link should add weight to your concerns. I would be wanting a referral to a developmental paed so if the SALT doesn't refer on (they aren't experts in ASD one I saw with dd said "totally fine" six weeks before dd was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism) see your GP and ask for a referral. I'd also ask school whether ds should be seeing an Ed Psych and if they were going to refer him or whether it was possible for you to do so. It may just be that ds has lots of traits but not enough for a diagnosis but I'd say they must be pretty obvious for a school to pick up on it so quickly if he's only been in school a matter of weeks.

Yes see that's what I thought as they called me in on the third day to discuss his behaviour and it has been just a few weeks. I have been working with them to try and reduce the stress for him at "transition" times and picking him up 10 mins early so he doesn't get overwhelmed with all the children getting ready all at once. I just want him to be happy and enjoy school. Thankyou for your replies. I have some idea about how to deal with it all but obviously I havent actually been through it all yet and I guess it will be a stressful process.

Ds1 has been under SALT since 12mo due to issues with his mouth and subsequently speech. They have been fantastic in helping me assess and get specialist help for his behaviour issues.

Id consider it a very positive step for your ds

Go ahead with the professionals' meeting, but until then, would a visual timetable help?

If he can see what will be happening next, and throughout his day, it may ease his anxiety.