Can an NT 2.5 yr old dress themselves? - comparisons for DLA form

[zen1]

Please help, I'm getting confused with what an NT child of the same age as DS (2.5) should be able to do with regard to dressing / undressing etc. Can NT children of this age normally put on their own shoes, for example?
Thanks

I work in a playgroup with DC's from 2 to nearly 5, In general I would say no to socks, shoes and coat but yes to trousers,pants, t shirt but they could still be back to front.

They would be able to help with dressing though, ie putting their foot in the shoe and arm in the coat, where as some Sn children need a lot more help.

Sorry if that has confused you even more.

DC 2.6 can

• take most clothes off (not vest as hasn't got sleeves to hold onto)
• put on pants and trousers by self
• can't put shoes/wellies on but can take them off
• can put coat on with a little help and can also do zip up if it's started for him.

Thanks that's great. DS can't put anything on and can only take off his socks!

He-he. Have to add: Can take diaper off by himself . Can put coat on (using the flip method). But no shirts or pullover. I have been getting confused about those questions, too. "Does she get her shoe if you ask her?" No - it never occurred to me to ask her but if I would I doubt she would be interested enough to get it. is that a "no"?! [buwink]

I would also say that a 2.5 NT child will have the motivation and inclination to try to dress themselves in that 'me do it' type way whereas my 3 year old ASD son has neither the desire or inclination and allows himself to be dressed in a very passive manner. Thats a good to point to make - not only can't dress self but also lacks desire or motivation (if that is indeed your issue of course)

That all helps - thank you! This form is doing my head in! Good point about the motivation Toppy, I had completely overlooked that. Mind you, my NT 5 year old still doesn't have the motivation to dress himself and happily lets me dress him every day, even though he's more than capable of doing it himself

Having taught Reception I would say that some children still struggle with changing for PE when they start school. Taking clothes off is easier but many of them still find it hard to get clothes on.I suspect that a DLA assessor would not expect all NT children to be dressing themselves at 2.5.

They might not be able to dress themselves but they are easier to dress, in that they pre-empt what is coming and put their arms and legs in the right places and push against you to get things on iyswim. They will wiggle their toes into their socks and shoes and hold their arms out for their tops.

A child with ASD is like dressing a limp, heavy, weighted ragdoll and is hard work. You have to pull the sleeves all the way up the arms and wiggle their shoes yourself.

FWIW my NT 2.5yr old CAN dress herself completely so it is possible, but I think not too common.

My dd is 2 years 3 months old.

She can:

• take off just about anything
• put on all her shoes and boots, including velcro straps, but excluding buckles
• do up a zip if I do the catch for her at the bottom first
• put on pants
• put on socks
• put on leggings and trousers
• put on her coat and cardigans
• put on gloves with fingers in the right hole (although it does take her ages)
• put on a top and get her arms in the holes - but not always the right way round
• put on a dress over her head and get her arms in the armholes (same again with it not always being on the right way around though)

She can't do buttons yet though.

As Starlight said, its also about how much they are able to comply and help you to do it. My ds1 was always the limp, ragdoll and never 'helped' by putting his arms in the holes when a top was put over his head etc.

He is 9 now and still can't do zips (can't get the bottom bit hooked together), he can do buttons, but usually in the wrong order . He still puts his socks on inside out and upside down and always comes out of the toilet looking like a sack of spuds tied in the middle with his tshirt tucked in his pants, which are showing above his waistband, because his waistband is all tucked inside itself . He can do velcro shoes - though never does them tight enough and I have pulled my hair out trying to teach him to tie shoelaces - so we are currently taking a break from that one. Oh - and he has to be prompted at every stage, to the extent that he will put on a clean pair of pants or socks over a dirty pair if you don't remind him to take the dirty ones off first. He has also been known to put his clothes on over his PJs if I am not there to supervise.