What assessment/therapy would help DS

[wordsandmusic]

I have just received an OT report for my DS, 9, who has high functioning ASD. The part that concerns me most is the description of DS during the school observation - apparently he was slouching, leaning on desk, unable to sit straight, rocking, chewing fingers, not following the book that the others were reading. The report doesn't make any recommendations that relate to these issues. And this type of behaviour goes unnoticed by teachers as he always achieves OK.

What do you think would be the most useful type of therapy to help him with problems sitting still/sitting straight/concentrating etc? A more in-depth sensory assessment by a private OT? Working on retained reflexes? Something else??

Any suggestions gratefully received - I am going round in circles

A wobble cushion and fidgets might help some of it as well as doing some work on his core strength. Any chance he might have ADHD?

Thanks Polter. I' would have said I was convinced he didn't have ADHD but have just looked at a list of symptoms and am now not so sure. Oh dear...

Not sure about the ADHD but sounds like your DS has sensory needs. An assessment by a private occupational therapist who is sensory integration trained ( at least a level 1) will be helpful.

Thank you notgivinin. That's helpful to know what to ask for in an OT. Have you had this type of assessment? Just wondering what to expect re. costs....

Yes..: though this was a tribunal report. Looking around, they cost between £200-350.

The thing is, for me anyway, what you describe as his problems in class aren't that unusual and there are a load of strategies that school can try to help or could be suggested by autism advisory/outreach, without you needing to pay for private reports.

Have a read of 'The Out of Sync Child', try some stuff at home over the summer, keep notes and then talk to school and say what's helped and that you'd like them to do the same please! If the usual sensory interventions don't help then I would look towards getting an assessment for ADHD.

Thanks Polter - good plan

I would do retained reflex therapy first (we've had a lot of success with the brushing method with bob Allen in Windsor)
and then see a private ot, the one we see is happy to see us for 1h and then give us a program for home and school (this keeps costs down a bit)

The slouching etc might be core strength problem so things like yoga balls, wobble boards, swimming etc can help strengthen those muscles