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SN children

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

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Original poster

Hello I am new

43 replies

lisalinney · 26/10/2011 15:43

Hello to you all I am Lisa 31 and proud mummy of twin boys George and John age 3.

Thought I was stuggling and feeling horrible so went to see doc and diagnosed depression. Don't get me wrong I love my boys it is just I feel somehow at fault and rather lost how to help John get the best start.

John has recently been diagnosed ASD and that is about all I know! He has 2 x 3hour sessions 1 on 1 at playschool and a portage worker visit once a week.
He does not talk but he can speak!? Does that make sense? He does not comunicate verbally but can count to ten and sing semi recognisable tunes and sometimes it sounds like he is responding or parroting a word we have just said! The portage worker said she does not think he has a learning difficulty just Autism! Great.!??! Any idea what that means in simple form?

This is the first time I have been on here and would like to thank signandsmile for the chats while on hols and to auntevil for reccomending to say a hello as a newbie. I am looking forward to making some friends in a similar boat.

OP posts:

Ineedalife · 29/10/2011 13:26

The signing most often used with Autistic children is called MAKATON, it is used along side speech and also has picture symbols.

I don't know who you should ask to get on a course but you could try your local Children's Centre.

Glad you had a good time at the disco, the DJ sounds ace.

signandsmile · 29/10/2011 15:27

I like the sound of the DJ, good place for signing resources is Forest Books, (for all things sign-ish, IYSWIM) have a look at the signing resources thread running at the moment for a bit more info on makaton/BSL/SSE etc.

Ah Poole, (we used to go over on the ferry to shell bay (sandbanks?)

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 29/10/2011 15:53

Just to let you know, Lisa, while signing has worked brilliantly with mrs smugly's (love the name, sign!) DS and many other DC with SN, it doesn't work for all DC on the autistic spectrum. My DS found it as transient and abstract as speech and his communication was kick-started with PECS, (which you might like to google.) The concrete pictures to exchange for treats or games worked for him. He started PECS at 3.6 and started talking at 4, so dropped PECS at that stage.

keepingupwiththejoneses · 29/10/2011 18:15

Hi Lisa, My ds was dxed at 3 he is now 5. I have found that most schools are now starting to use sign a long it is very similar to makaton . It is available from early learning centre. Sounds like the party was really good, it is so nice to meet someone like that dj isn't it.

MangoMonster · 29/10/2011 21:46

We use sign along, it's based on british sign language and is therefor extensible whereas I think makaton is more for younger children, not sure how much it matters though.

MangoMonster · 29/10/2011 21:47

Extensible is the wrong word, meant scaleable as they get older if they still need it.

ZombiesAteYourCervix · 29/10/2011 21:50

Just scanning through and not much to add except - in fantasy land, when I have my twins (never going to happen, ever) I have a pair of boys named John and George. (actually have 2 DDs; DD2 has AS).

Original poster

lisalinney · 02/11/2011 16:28

John had his 1 on 1 at playgroup and portage visit yesterday and it is amazing all the new words he is coming out with! He called his brother by name (I did say it first though) said thank you when his brother gave him a biscuit!!! can't believe such a change in a couple of days. Plus portage lady got him to do something he had no interest in to get the thing he really wanted. 5 times!!!!. she did agree she was pushing her luck but he was letting her do it!

OP posts:

MangoMonster · 02/11/2011 16:51

Great news Lisa!

iwanttogetoffnow · 02/11/2011 22:17

Sorry to mess you all around. I realised my chat name was all wrong so here i am. Was lisaliney now iwanttogetoffnow. Confused? I am

MangoMonster · 02/11/2011 22:21

iwanttogetoffnow · 03/11/2011 13:14

What on earth was i thinking! Just got back from my first day helping out at a toddler group. Oh my goodness i have bitten of way more than i can chew. I have 2 mornings when the twins are at play school and today is one of them. As you can read from before i have depression and have now realised i was stupid to agree to help when my me time is what i need at the moment.

Feel bad to let them down but common sense is saying no no no.
Help me.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 03/11/2011 14:52

Just say no! You've realised that you've taken too much on and this is the only thing you can drop. Or any old excuse that'll help you save face.

What were you thinking!

iwanttogetoffnow · 05/11/2011 13:20

i have no idea.

iwanttogetoffnow · 09/11/2011 14:25

ds is doing really well at playschool and is loving his 1 on 1 time and portage sessions. Has started to line his toys up on the dining tabe then push them off one by one on to hard floor! crash! also pulling over dining chairs again crash. Hubby doing work accounts sat to the table and the back fell off the chair ds loosened the joints! Oh well he is a carpenter so he can fix and re-inforce it. I nearly fell off the sofa laughing .

Had to explain that our ds has autism and not all standard furniture/toys will survive without extra stength or super glue.

Ronifromwales · 09/11/2011 21:58

Hya! welcome, I have come across this website www.autismtherapy.co.uk years after trying to find something suitable. This was reccommended by a mum of an autistic child as alternative to the usual SALT (Applied behaviour analysis). I have already exchanged emails with one of the therapists and I'm waiting to have a telephone conversation in order to visit their premises.

My ds sounds very similar to yours, however, I have not been told that he doesn't have learning difficulties. He is very very clever in some areas but lacks in receptive and expressive language. I don't think he has ever had a decent assessment so I'll be going private to start with... He has got a certificate of special needs though and he seems to be improving consistently after he started school and also after we started him on a gluten/casein free diet in September.

Anyway, nice to have you around. I am also a newbie...

Ronifromwales · 09/11/2011 22:01

Sorry, ABA is not an alternative to SALT because they can work together, it is the extra support that comes with it that makes all the difference. :c)

We have also noticed improvement on his receptive language since he started the diet and full time education.

iwanttogetoffnow · 10/11/2011 21:47

Hi Roni

it is nice to hear from a fellow newbie. They do sound rather similar and it is great to hear your ds is improving. The more one on one my ds gets the more he tries to communicate or at least echoes words.
a
We are going to a special needs stay and play tomorrow with other ds they love it and no sign of typical click that you get at other parent toddler groups. I guess it is because we are all in a similar boat.

Keep in touch x

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