DS2 is scooting!

[sphil]

I can't believe it. This time two weeks ago he was very tentatively and jerkily doing about two pushes, then getting off. Yesterday he scooted to the park and back - and he was going quite fast and fairly smoothly. Its amazing progress given that his gross motor skills are so delayed ( he's 9, but runs awkwardly, cant jump with two feet together, climb a ladder etc )

We have been using some of our direct payments to employ a student to play with him every day after achool for an hour, and its made such a difference to him. She takes him out every day - on his trike, his scooter, to the play ground - and I've been astonished and, tbh, a bit [ blush] that his physical abilities have come on so quickly. I tend to be very cautious with him, whereas his buddy is the exact opposite - and she's also very confident wih him where other kids are concerned, encouraging him to join in with games and be part if the general melee, whereas I think we've tended to avoid large groups of children. She seems completely unconscious of his autism, iyswim - not unconscious in an insensitive way, but she doesnt let it be an excuse or get self conscious about his behaviour in public. Its a revelation to me - and DS is absolutely thriving on it.

Well done to your ds, amazing. Dont be i am same as you, i am sometimes afraid to try things with my ds where his sense worker does things like takes him to pictures etc, which i'd never dream of. I think its easier for a worker because as a parent we worry too much ie what other think etc, and we have the emotional involvement that perhaps a worker doesnt have. Well done your brillian ds

yay!!

what an excellent piece of news, well done to DS and his play buddy!

sphil that's brilliant

It's a great idea to have someone take him out every day. I think improvements in gross motor skills have a huge impact on confidence & social skills :)

that's fab news your student sounds lovely.

Tthank you all. I think I am only because I know I could have done more sporty/physical stuff with both boys. It is having a definite impact on Ds2's social skills and confidence - at his annual review this week he interacted with all the adults present, rather than just me, Dh and his TA, as he did last year. He is wetting the bed less and not fixated on YouTube to such a great extent - in fact, he often chooses to come off the computer of his own accord, which is amazing!

I think its got a lot to do with the sensory integration therapy that all the physical exercise is giving him. I am becoming more and more aware of the value of proprioceptive and vestibular activities ( OT has been banging on about them for years ) - they do seem to ground him, make him more aware of people and much calmer.