Oh i also have a brilliant record of a conversation between OT and SENCO which i can use for both SA and my complaint against OT (trying to fob me off with poxy report that ds doesnt have any problems too, just so they can discharge him)
Ds is due to start at school in the reception class in January 09. On 11/11/08 i was called by OT from X, who was phoning me with mum's permission to share information prior to him starting in the hope that some of his "behaviours" can be explained and potential difficulties overcome.
OT said he was "gorgeous" little boy. He had been referred to OT. He was receiving 1:1 therapy and was an intriguing case. In her opinion he was a "severely defensive" child. He presents as very bright - G and T maybe, and displaying many traits of a high functioning ASD child. (This has not been discussed at all with mum by OT!)
He currently attends X Nursery where he has a 2 and half hour a day place. His mum applied for a place here, but her application was rejected.
DS was born at full term, but OT described that as a newborn had plenty of tubes and wires attached and was in special care. (The exact cause of this was not explained or known). Perhaps as a direct result of this (as new research seems to suggest) he has severe sensory difficulties. He is particularly hypersensitive with his hands, feet and mouth (corresponding to the sites of many of his early life experiences of tubes, needles etc) He is also particularly sensitive to organised activities, (though this was not fully explained)
He speaks to an imaginary friend and it appears that when he is comfortable with things - he takes over! OT thinks he is in flight or flight mode the entire time. He is noxious to touch and displays innate signs of this. He doesnt like group work (unless its on his terms!) and rather than made a big thing about it, tends to opt out of it - quietly.
OT reports that mum feels that nursery have not fully included him and addressed these issues. OT also reports that mum is "brilliant" and "very helpful".
A gut reaction to his manner could well be to describe him as difficult, and he could easily be labelled. OT thinks this is not the case, and thinks there are deep underlying reason why he acts the way he does. He is "scared in his own skin"!
Ds speaks like a little adult, and is very aware that he does this and this is not how his peers speak. He likes to be in total control of his play and his friends. One of his ways of control may be centred around food, and it could also be that he is bored and not sufficiently challenged at his present nursery seeting. He is certainly puzzling OT!
OT also mentioned that there had been involvment from (SALT) with concerns around his expressive language. She said that she would talk to Jo and ask her to phone if she felt she had any info to share.
He presents physically as a very stiff little boy, who is very upright. Movements can make him actually sick. One therapy involved gentle swinging and he was sick 2 hours later. He has highly skilled negotiating skills and tries to "talk" you around! He uses talking as a way of diverting attention. He has been seen to write - the words look and cat, though both words looked quite spindly.
OT said he is especially sensitive to working with only 1 sensory channel at once, ie painting with no music etc. If gently and persistently encouraged he will do things like finger painting.........though will constantly need to and want to wash his hands. This is not however an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Again lining up may be of issue -- and potentially a place for him either the front or back of the line may be required to avoid the over stimulation of too many senses at once.
OT touched upon his eating disorders........but said mum would need to explain that further.
He has further OT appointments on 9th and 16th January 09 with OT from 11-12am.
School are claiming to SA that ds has no sensory issues. No sensory issues my arse!