Reassuring

[KPB]

Had my mum over at the weekend and she was playing with dd. They were playing monsters. Anyway, suddenly dd stopped and looked at my mum and said "Nanny, Why are you pretending to be a monster?". It really made me think that dd obviously has a theory of mind. The fact that dd realised that my mum was pretending! It just that even though dd has been dx with language disorder there is always the worry it may be something else, such as asd. Although we have been reassured many times by the professionals that she isn't! It was just really reassuring, what do you think?

Sorry KPB - what age is your dd? And does she pass the Sally-Anne test?

DS1 understands now about pretending (he's four and a half) but he still doesn't understand that I can't know what a particular child in his class did at school that day, because I wasn't there - so he gets cross with me if I can't guess.

Dinosaur - dd is 4.5 as well. I haven't tried the Sally-Anne test as I am not sure she has the understanding. Have you tried it? I did think they had to be 5 though!

Due to dd's language difficulties I doubt she would understand what would be expected of her with the Sally-Anne test. Does it matter if they aren't ready until they are say 6, when the language has developed more?

Hi KPB!

DS1 had a variation of the Sally-Anne test when he was 3.5. I don't remember the clinical psychologist mentioning anything about age, but I may just not have taken that bit in. I agree it would be pretty pointless doing it if your child wouldn't understand the question!

Does your DD "get" emotion e.g. how does she react if you or somebody else is upset? DS1 is currently "learning" empathy e.g. if someone is upset you give them a hug - so now any time DS2 is upset, DS1 insists on hugging him, even if DS2 doesn't want to be hugged!

KPB - have you seen Binkie's comments on the other thread - list of behaviours the Ed Psych categorised as demonstrating that her ds was NOT on the spectrum?

Hi Dinosaur
yes Dd def. gets emotion. I was upset the other day (long story) and she could see I had been crying, do try and hide it usually. Dd said Mummy why are you sad, don't be sad, be happy like this and then showed me a beaming smile. I had to laugh!!!
Sorry, not being lazy but what thread is the Binkie list on? thanks a lot. KPB

I think that's really reassuring KPB!

The thread is called "Aspergers is...(with apologies to Mrsforgetful)" and is under Special Needs.

Thanks for that