Potential ASD - listening and attention

[pinkneonstars]

Hi, my DS(3.5) is currently awaiting an ASD assessment and has significant speech and language differences. I am pretty sure he will get a diagnosis. He has some really strong splinter skills especially around numbers and letters. He does not have an EHCP, and I’ve been told by different professionals that, based on his current abilities, it’s unlikely he’ll get one “at this stage”.

In September, he started nursery class at the mainstream primary school he will attend for Reception in Sept 2024. He’s settled brilliantly, loves going and the staff are really supportive but we are seeing similar issues that we saw through the two years prior that he was in private nursery, and indeed that we see at home.

His listening and attention skills are incredibly poor - he is constantly on the move, won’t sit for a story or input into a task. He won’t engage with any activities, either 1:1 or small group . It’s therefore very difficult for staff to work with him and for him to make progress as he won’t (or is unable to) engage and is as yet unable to verbally answer questions. He loves collecting items (pencils, numicon pieces, glue spreaders etc) and does enjoy ordering numbers and letters which school have communicated to us.

I’m looking for advice from anyone with similar DC or ideas to help to support him to engage more or other ways we can support him to make progress at him and in school. I’m not expecting miracles, but even just to attend to a task for a minute or a few minutes at a time. The staff he works with have all commented on how bright he is, and his many strengths… and I agree - I’m obviously biased but I am a teacher myself so I can see he has so much potential - it’s just knowing what we can do to support him further.

Thanks

What professionals told you DS wouldn’t get an EHCP? LAs, schools and professionals often say DC won’t get or don’t need an EHCP, but the parents go on to successfully apply themselves. From your post, you should request an EHCNA yourself.

SALT, OT and play therapy can help. What support is the school currently providing? Have they looked at the sensory environment? Is anything like attention autism (some don’t like it, but others do) being used?

I’ll look into the EHNCA - that’s really helpful, thanks 😊

School have a made sensory area for him, and have some OT equipment - wobble cushions, gym ball peanut to sit on, sensory breaks. His teacher tries to plan activities that will engage him, works with us to discuss what he likes / dislikes etc but it’s not working yet. May we’ll take time and be cumulative - it’s just his listening and attention is so poor it’s really hard to get him to take part in anything other than running around or jumping off things (which he does very impressively!)

Hi @pinkneonstars just wanted to reply and say you're not alone! My little one is very similiar, mostly likes to be in her own little world running around nursery and doesn't join in with the group activities or circle time etc.
The nursery have said that sometimes they can get her to sit down for a while if they sit with her and give her something to have in her hands, i.E poppet or fidget cube etc - that may help?