Latest SALT report

[macwoozy]

Just after a bit of advice again.
I've not long recieved by ds's latest SALT report, and TBH I'm disappointed in how little progress my ds has made at school due to his ASD. One particular remark that upsets me is that she describes ds as having a severe social communication problem. Obviously I'm aware of my ds's dificulties in that area, but I've never considered it as being severe before. I realise that although my ds is recieving help via a social skills group at school, he appears to be making very little progress. I've used social stories to help him understand what is expected to happen in certain situations, but this doesn't really help too much towards his communication. Does anyone know of any books or have any ideas that will help me help him? Apart from a next door neighbour he has no other friend to practise with. Incidentally his speech and expressive language is within the normal limits, as long as he is 'listening and engaged'. Any ideas???

Not much help, but I can see myself posting the same post in 3 yrs time. I'm sorry about the 'severe' remark, but I'd have thought you have a better idea on how severe or otherwise your DS's difficulties are than a SALT who sees him occasionally.

I've been amazed so far at how little 'help me to help him' there is.

Can you seek ideas from the social skills group leader at school? Would you be able to sit in on a session to see what they do? Could they tell you where they get their ideas / material from? May be able to suggest book or local training?
Do you have an Ed Psych involved? would they be able to give some suggestions? Our EP said DS1 should spend time playing with "girls with good social skills to be role models" (i'm trying to find such girls who also have mothers who are happy for them to be DS1's victims / therapy ).
what about local NAS activities? Ours runs 'drama club' for children with ASD - that might help?
Could you arrange social activities based on things that are most likely to get him 'listening and engaged' so he's comfortable with the activity and communicating about it, and it's just the social side he has to concentrate on?

Someone with older kids must have some better ideas.

I agree that it would seem more likely that I'd be far better able to judge my sons capabilities than a SALT who sees him every once in a while, but she is basing most of her conclusions of what his teachers have said about ds. They have a much greater opportunity to watch him interact with a group of children so I have to admit to myself that they most probably are in a better position to judge. Of course I watch him with other children, and in a group situation he's away with the fairies, but 1:1 I thought he was improving.

It's a good suggestion to sit in on one of his social skill groups. They are still at a basic stage with ds, like getting him to respond and initiate greeting appropriately to different people, taking turns in conversation, and to be aware of appropriate body language in communication. I'd imagine that's pretty typical of the difficulties a child with ASD has. I try and help him with all these targets, but a year later and he's still no step forward.
A drama group sounds like a good idea, I could give it a go, anything is worth a go, I don't know how he'll cope but I will deffo look into it.
I've also been told before to encourage children over to improve on his social skills, but unintentionally I'm distancing myself further and further away from other parents, all they can see is a very disruptive and aggessive child who can't be controlled, I don't think they'll consider him good playmate material.

I find it so confusing that a child with average speech and language skills finds it so difficult to communicate effectively, I find it hard to get my head round this. I know it's part of ASD's difficulties, but why?

Thanks for your advice SC, you've been a good help with all your suggestions

My EP explained to me that 'social communication' is not so much about what they can say, but about understanding human interaction (might be codswallop, but that's what I thought she said). My DS has v poor clarity of speech, but v good language skills, and significant 'social communication difficulties'.

The drama group I was thinking of is run partly by the local NAS people specifically for kids with ASD, so your son would cope as well as anyone else. A non-ASD specific group might work OK depending on your DS, but you'd need to avoid any full of precious mummies trying to put over-done daughters on the stage.

I know exactly what you mean about distancing from social situations - can you come up with a low-risk idea? If he's anything like my DS, something outdoors / with lots of space would be best. Depending on what he enjoys and is likely to be at his best at, how about a trip to the park / aircraft museum / visitors farm / aquarium / ride on a train with a friend and his mother?

How old is he? do you have other children?

Ds is 6 in April, I can't believe he's nearly 6, doesn't time fly when you're having fun and he's my only child, although he does have a 15 year old step brother.

He loves to go to all those places you mentioned although he does have to be in control of every situtation so I'm not so sure it would be as much fun for a little schoolmate. His next door neighbour is round here at the mo, surprisingly they're playing quite nicely for a change, although any minute now......................................................................bash!

So there you are running a play date as you type.

Well done you. You can do it.

Yeh, I'm the perfect mum me, just a handful of valium washed down with a swig of bacardi and I can mind any child in the neighborhood

I'll drop some valium, bacardi and DS1 round tomorrow, then.