DS (3) and SN.

[MsBrunette]

DS is 3, he isn't a 'typical' 3 year old and he never has been.

Some behaviours are; he hasn't put two words together at all, he cannot communicate his needs, he can count to 100 and recognise every number individually, he can recognise many shapes and letters, he doesn't interact with other children and isolates himself when in a group of children, he will sit all day putting a CD in and out of a CD player or pressing buttons on a calculator (I don't allow him to do so), he doesn't understand instruction and gets frustrated at the littlest things and gets upset if you differ from him usual routine. But he is the most kind hearted gorgeous 3 year old you will ever meet

I read the observations at his previous pre-school which again said how little he involved himself with the other children and how he does the same thing everyday.

He started a new pre-school on Monday, I've gone to collect him today and even though I put on his introductory form that he doesn't have SN they asked today to see the observations from the previous pre-school and if he had SN.

I think that it is great that they want to help him and read about how he integrated previously and that they are looking into.

Does it sounds like he does have SN?

What happens next if so or am I reading too much into this?

I just want the best for my little boy and feel like I've failed him as I suffer with anxiety and maybe I haven't done what's best for him.

Hi behaviour does sound atypical to me. He knows his alphabets and numbers, shapes etc but cannot communicate his needs to you. Is a red herring.

But I'm only basing this on your post, no way am I an expert in your child, so don't take my post to heart.

Your DS could have some developmental delay and he does have needs.

I think it's important to address your DS needs and how the school can support this.

I think you should go on this link: www.teachmetotalk.com- she has a very good link about the characteristics of autism (social communication disorder). As from what it seems your DS does present with some of the behaviours.

MsBrunette, welcome to the board. I think if you and the preschool have concerns I would talk to your HV and explain everything and ask for a referral to SALT (Speech and Language Therapist) and a developmental paediatrician. If the HV can't refer go to your GP. Waiting times are long so don't delay. I think a hearing test would be a good idea as well.
Keep a diary and write down a list of your concerns otherwise you'll forget.

www.m-chat.org
M-CHAT is a screening questionnaire that you might find useful but I think is for slightly younger children.

I agree with polter that this must be a scary time for you but speaking as someone who works in early years it sounds like the preschool staff are on the ball and want to help and put the right support in place for your son.

Speak with them honestly and openly and see what they advise. A speech and language referral would be my first step!

Good luck

Thank you for your replies and links to helpful websites.

I'll try to answer as many questions as possible.

I have put him on a 6 week speech therapy course which starts on Thursday at the children's centre, I rang them last week and the speech therapist called me back to ask a few questions about his speech delay. She said that he definitely needs to attend the 6 week course so he starts that soon.

He hasn't had his hearing checked, he turns when he is called and he responds to sounds so I didn't think that this was a cause for concern but I'll take him to the GP and ask about getting his hearing checked definitely.

His diet is good, he eats healthy and well, he is a perfect weight for his height as the health visitor said.

His 2 and a half year development check went okay, she said that it was adequate but told me that he should go to speech therapy.

I am in the UK, in Bedfordshire.

The previous pre-school done 2 assessments on him. I'll take an extract from one of the assessments; 'X walked to the fire exit sign, he looked up at the fire exit sign a few more times, he then walked around the corner to the back door and looked up at the fire exit sign. X then walked back into the playroom and walked across the room to the entrance door. He looked at the fire exit sign'. They also scored his level of involvement with the other children as nil.

I am scared for him, I'm scared as it is all unknown to me and I feel as though I am not helping him enough.

I appreciate all of your support, I don't have any family around so it's nice to talk to others about this.

MsBrunette,I know how you feel, I'm in the same county, PM me if you need to talk to anyone.

So- he loves numbers, loves routines, prefers calculators & CDs, has some pre-reading skills, and is kind-hearted & gorgeous. And there are the difficulties with speech, following instructions and social interaction. But you & nursery are now onto those things & NHS speech therapy is starting.

Sounds like you have a lot of starting points there to work with, and deliberately using what he likes (and is good at) can help as a route into developing other areas. It also lets you work for ages on difficulties without getting down- because there's always the strengths to encourage you.

Something that professionals may forget to encourage is the advanced pre-reading. This book is about a child who had autism too, that bit may not turn out to be relevant but I'd guess you'll find the 'hyperlexia' bits quite helpful.

My DS was similar at 3. Whatever happens hold on to the fact he can learn. He has already proved this with his letters and numbers. He may need extra help, direction and time to learn some things, but he has the ability to do it. My son is unrecognisable from where he was at 3. Do you have someone around you can talk to or take to the appointment with you? This is a good board you will get a lot of support here.

'X walked to the fire exit sign, he looked up at the fire exit sign a few more times, he then walked around the corner to the back door and looked up at the fire exit sign. X then walked back into the playroom and walked across the room to the entrance door. He looked at the fire exit sign'. They also scored his level of involvement with the other children as nil.

If they (or you) got a pack of these to use as an activity... Might it help?

Oops. Sorry
www.safety-label.co.uk/collections/fire-exit-signs

www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/alphablocks/