OT initial assessment finally with us- now how to help him

[misssmapp]

Ds1 is 10, he has terrible handwriting and organisational skills and , after a long battle and long wait, we have the results of his OT initial assessment.

So, for

motor co-ordination he is on the 1st percentile,
motor skills ( overall ) 5th percentile
visual perception - 84th percentile
and
visual perception - 8th percentile.

There are recommendations in the report, but does anyone have any similar experience and key things we need to do/school needs to do. He has just started a sensory circuit at school, but not sure how long this can go on for - it is one of the reports recommendations though.

Sorry if I am vague, I am so upset that he had these difficulties and we have let him down.

Thank you

Thanks, Petergoose. The OT is going to visit school, but it is home hints Im worried about. Dh went to the apt, and was pretty good at letting us know her suggestions, just wondered if there were any other things we could do to help him.

Thanks for the factfile links, will have a look through those.

Hi Miss A spiky profile is very common with some scores on the lowest centiles and some on the highers. I think Polter's fact files are pretty comprehensive, does your OT do home visits and give specific advice? dd was assessed at age 10-11 for the first time for a sensory profile and that consisted of several home visits and observations in school. I'm loath to recommend anything in particular for your ds as he may have different needs but we find these help at home

caring cutlery
posture aids like movensit wedge cushion with a writing slope
sensory diet
'safe' place
memory foam mattress topper, teddy duvet for winter, silk duvet for summer - you will need to find what weight of bedding suits him
Endless things to make life at home easier for poor hand praxis like can openers, jar openers, knives with handles like a saw, tap turners.
If you're not already using all velcro footwear, consider the elastic type shoe and boot laces.
Bathboards for getting in and out, grab handles.
thick mats to ease joint pain when standing
Deep pressure for emotional and anxiety overload
The Dyslexia shop and other sources online have loads of things that help with sensory issues etc.

There's probably loads more things but because they are part of our daily life at home, I'm having to think hard to notice things that are specifically for her to make life a little easier.

Pay attention to temperature, is he hotter or cooler than the rest of the family? dd needs hottie bottles and fleecy throws etc. whilst I'm in a tshirt.

I'd recommend you do as much reading as you can about sensory processing, it will help you understand your ds so much better

Don't beat yourself up for not knowing, none of us did and the 'if only' path is a waste of time. Concentrate on starting from now and going forward to help him in every way you can, you will be amazed at the difference in him, now that you and school understand his needs.

I agree with what the others have said about not knowing!! Dont beat yourself up.

Dd3 was diagnosed with SPD last yr after having an Asd diagnosis for 2 yrs prior to that.

For the visual stuff your Ds might benefit from coloured film or coloured lenses in glasses, lots of people do but beware of getting ripped off. There is a company called Happy Eyese who are supplying simple coloured lenses without a prescription for 20 quid! We paid 400 for Dd2's first pair

Anyway have a read of polters thread and book recommendations there is plenty to keep you going.

Be kind to yourself and look forward not back

Hi miss

I have dh and dd a bit like this and as dh pointed out to dd when dd was diagnosed 'I don't write from one week to the next, except to sign my name on letters'

And ds has just been given dragon dictate to help with work.

Diagnosis is a strange point: there is a relief that you now have a route map to help things be easier for dc but a huge desire for a magic wand to make it go away.

But once the adjustments are made, you will, I think, be like blank - adjusted to your new normality and focusing on all the things that dc can do, instead of just now having to focus on the things he can't. That is always uncomfortable - I mean, no-one goes into a party and introduces themselves describing the things they can't do. "hello, nice to meet you, I can't fly a plane, and can't swim the channel". We define ourselves by what we can do, and I am sure dc can do lots of amazing things, so if it helps, write a list of all his strengths - and put it on here if you want!

Hope this helps

Thanks everyone, so good to hear from others who have been able to help their dcs move forwards.

Does anyone actually have a diagnosis for their dc? Apart form the test scores and the statement that DS1 has ' significant difficulties with motor coordination' we have nothing concrete- but I suppose that is just me wanting a 'thing ' to 'fix' which I know is my issue. Ds has been using caring cutlery, which has helped, and has a sloping desk at school. will use your excellent list, blank to see what else he might benefit from.

We did try a visual stress test about a year ago, Ineedmore, and it came out with no clear benefit, I wonder if it is worth trying again. He can read really well, but has v poor phonic knowledge ( he learnt to read whole words) but his spelling is shocking.

Thank you senvet I know what you mean about not focusing on what we cant do. Ds is fab, he has amazing knowledge of rocks, fossils and history. We went to a local museum today with an exhibition about Nelson and he could tell me all about how the battle was waged and won and about the parts of the Victory. it just breaks my heart that in school his poor writing means he will never show all he knows. we are also in a grammar area, and I know he will never be at that level, despite being as bright verbally as his 'cleverer' friends.

Thank you everyone.

blank it is interesting what you say about temperature, I am a very cold blooded being but today he was wearing two jumpers, despite it being a warm day. However, he doesn't seem to react to temperature know I think about it . He stays in the same clothes all day , despite temp change and never complains about being too hot/cold etc.

it just breaks my heart that in school his poor writing means he will never show all he knows. we are also in a grammar area, and I know he will never be at that level, despite being as bright verbally as his 'cleverer' friends

Sorry, but as his Mum you need to adopt a 'how do we enable him to do' attitude, not an 'oh dear he can not' attitude.

I think you need to look at alternatives, there are loads available and technology moves at an astounding pace.

If he can't write legibly, he can type, if he can't type he can speak and software types it for him. Dragon speech to type could help with that, also get him a SALT assessment for speed of processing etc.

For school exams he may be eligible for a reader and a scribe - again, assessments are the way to go, often Ed Psych and SALT. You may be able to have them on the NHS with a long wait or you may choose to have a private assessment done. Speak to the school SENCO and ask about Exam concessions.

Thanks blank , I needed that talking to !!

We got him a laptop for his birthday to help him improve his keyboard skills. He has a scribe in school for tests and things, but will check out the programs you mention.

He has S and L difficulties, but all previous assessments have focused on sound formation, he was signed off about a year ago, I will see if processing was checked.

Your message was just what I needed to push me off my moany couch. Thank you !

Well done for the laptop. When my dcs had to convert to typing we were told to get touch typing lessons so that they didn't get bad habits or RSA.

If by chance, your grammar school area is in Kent you can go to the Bedgebury Foundation for help with costs of those lessons and independent reports.

Also I don't see why dc should not have help with grammar school entry. Round here it is multiple choice and the marks can be raised by about ten points with practice.

I'm glad he is into so much history and geology. Sounds like a sponge soaking up all that information
. I wonder if it is easier for him to do that because he is relying so much on what her hears rather than being distracted by what he has to write? The brain is remarkable and it may be that this is the upside of a neurology that doesn't do writing.