Darling Grandad, I must be miffed or else I should have referred to him by his honorary title 'Spuds,' has taught M to parrot back everything people say to him. I was rather touched when I over heard this exchange between him and the Dad the other evening;
The Dad: Hello M how are you today?
M: Hello M how are you today?
The Dad: Daddy is brilliant!.
Matty: Daddy is brilliant! .
The Dad: Daddy is the best Daddy in the whole wide world. (The Dad does have a rather over inflated ego at times)
M: Daddy is the best Daddy in the whole wide world. (No, the other bit was an aside)
The Dad: I love Daddy better than Mummy. (Don't worry I'll get him at playtime)
M: I love Daddy AND Mummy better than anyone.
I was rather pleased!
Friday, 24 April 2009
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Stanley I Greenspan
I don't know it's like buses, no posts for ages and then you get three in one day. I have unashamedly pinched this link from Mumsnet, since for the first time in a long while I feel quite excited about reading something new.
www.icdl.com/distance/webRadio/documents/2-26-2004.pdf
The radio transcript details an interview with Stanley Greenspan into his study into the misdiagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders.
Greenspan gives some examples of other developmental disorders which may produce traits similar to those common to children with autistic spectrum disorders. He suggests that children who have speech delays, for instance may repeat back the words they hear (echolalia) as a strategy to help them process the language. Our first independent SALT, referred to this as a key factor in M's speech.
Similarly, he suggests that children who are under reactive to touch may jump and bounce to arouse the central nervous system. Greenspan also mentions that children who have gross motor planning problems may repeat movements over and over, (self stimming) to help with sequencing skills. Since sensory modulation, integration and gross motor planning skills have all been flagged up by our recent OT assessment, this article rang very loud bells for me.
Our SALT pointed also out that, despite some rigidity M has a clear capacity for abstract and independant reasoning. The ICAN report also referred to his excellent non verbal communication skills such as tuning into facial expressions and use of gesture (although this isn't the case with strangers). Whilst I am sure that I shall read other articles or books which may throw the possibility of autism back into the mix, I am so grateful to have a seemingly rare moment of clarity.
This link is for Dr Greenspan's website which gives more info on the Floortime programme. http://www.stanleygreenspan.com/
www.icdl.com/distance/webRadio/documents/2-26-2004.pdf
The radio transcript details an interview with Stanley Greenspan into his study into the misdiagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders.
Greenspan gives some examples of other developmental disorders which may produce traits similar to those common to children with autistic spectrum disorders. He suggests that children who have speech delays, for instance may repeat back the words they hear (echolalia) as a strategy to help them process the language. Our first independent SALT, referred to this as a key factor in M's speech.
Similarly, he suggests that children who are under reactive to touch may jump and bounce to arouse the central nervous system. Greenspan also mentions that children who have gross motor planning problems may repeat movements over and over, (self stimming) to help with sequencing skills. Since sensory modulation, integration and gross motor planning skills have all been flagged up by our recent OT assessment, this article rang very loud bells for me.
Our SALT pointed also out that, despite some rigidity M has a clear capacity for abstract and independant reasoning. The ICAN report also referred to his excellent non verbal communication skills such as tuning into facial expressions and use of gesture (although this isn't the case with strangers). Whilst I am sure that I shall read other articles or books which may throw the possibility of autism back into the mix, I am so grateful to have a seemingly rare moment of clarity.
This link is for Dr Greenspan's website which gives more info on the Floortime programme. http://www.stanleygreenspan.com/
Caring Cutlery
Since I am feeling guilty about my lack of posting lately, I shall do two today. Whilst Matty's fine motor skills have improved, he still has problems integrating his left and right hand when using a knife and fork. The junior caring cutlery st, whilst useful is now a little small and I have ordered an adult set from this website http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/cutlery-kitchen.html
The price of these items can vary enormously, but I thought that this site was very reasonable.
The price of these items can vary enormously, but I thought that this site was very reasonable.
A trip to the Grandparents
Trees to climb 
Plants to water
Best pals
and puppets
Grandad is an ace puppet maker Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Perfect Pitch
Although it rarely happens I think I have just had one of those lovely days that has flows easily from hour to hour. I managed to get a good nights sleep, after a week of sleepless nights and M has been.... well positively delightful. We have been using our new Now Next Later chart and I have been reinforcing this by giving him the same cues to repeat back, when we are out and about.
Occasionally I am hoodwinked into thinking that he is just like any other child on a day out. We went into Pangbourne on a train, counted the stops and named the stations along the route. There was a bit of a wait before the train departed and M gave the magic numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and five, just like Peppa Pig, and hey presto we were off. This was, he informed me gravely, proper magic.
We had lunch in a cafe 'Lou La Belle' and found a basket full of lovely children's books to read. M found one about a magician and a magic dragon egg, which fitted in nicely with our latest obsession around the film 'The Water Horse' this week. He read to me beautifully and I marvelled at how well he has progressed in the last few weeks.
It was only when surrounded by children at the local park, that I noticed the big differences, between M and the neuro typical kids playing there. "What is your name?" asked a very pretty and eloquent little girl aged about three. M mumbled his name under his breath and refused to make eye contact. "What is your name? I willed him to say silently from where I sat watching. It wasn't to be, M had spied a young boy sprinting round the outskirts of the park and as usual expected to be allowed to join in the middle of his game, without exchanging any social pleasantries. Occasionally, M would bellow "Its a strawberry!" Or "Hello Mr Bumble" to anyone who might be interested.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the posture of the boy's Mother change almost imperceptibly. She drew back her shoulders and drew her lips up into the shape of a cat's bottom. Her nostrils flared slightly, as if she had suddenly noticed a bad smell. " Giles come here now and play with your brother!" she trilled. An obliviously M took this as an open invitation to join them on the see saw and as there was no seat, he balanced himself precariously on the middle of the bar, grinning beatifically.The Mother glared first and him and then across at me and her hands flew to her hips.
With a small sigh, I realised that it was that it was probably time to go and called across to M to ask him to gather up his things, " Would you excuse me for just one moment please" he quipped with perfect pitch and in our speech and language therapist's rather lovely voice. As the lips of the Mother dropped into the shape of a perfect O, an imaginary fist in my head punched the air and I thanked God for echolalia.
Occasionally I am hoodwinked into thinking that he is just like any other child on a day out. We went into Pangbourne on a train, counted the stops and named the stations along the route. There was a bit of a wait before the train departed and M gave the magic numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and five, just like Peppa Pig, and hey presto we were off. This was, he informed me gravely, proper magic.
We had lunch in a cafe 'Lou La Belle' and found a basket full of lovely children's books to read. M found one about a magician and a magic dragon egg, which fitted in nicely with our latest obsession around the film 'The Water Horse' this week. He read to me beautifully and I marvelled at how well he has progressed in the last few weeks.
It was only when surrounded by children at the local park, that I noticed the big differences, between M and the neuro typical kids playing there. "What is your name?" asked a very pretty and eloquent little girl aged about three. M mumbled his name under his breath and refused to make eye contact. "What is your name? I willed him to say silently from where I sat watching. It wasn't to be, M had spied a young boy sprinting round the outskirts of the park and as usual expected to be allowed to join in the middle of his game, without exchanging any social pleasantries. Occasionally, M would bellow "Its a strawberry!" Or "Hello Mr Bumble" to anyone who might be interested.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the posture of the boy's Mother change almost imperceptibly. She drew back her shoulders and drew her lips up into the shape of a cat's bottom. Her nostrils flared slightly, as if she had suddenly noticed a bad smell. " Giles come here now and play with your brother!" she trilled. An obliviously M took this as an open invitation to join them on the see saw and as there was no seat, he balanced himself precariously on the middle of the bar, grinning beatifically.The Mother glared first and him and then across at me and her hands flew to her hips.
With a small sigh, I realised that it was that it was probably time to go and called across to M to ask him to gather up his things, " Would you excuse me for just one moment please" he quipped with perfect pitch and in our speech and language therapist's rather lovely voice. As the lips of the Mother dropped into the shape of a perfect O, an imaginary fist in my head punched the air and I thanked God for echolalia.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Anthony Browne Day
Little Beauty
King of the swingers
' Oh Oooh Bee Doo, I wnna be like You hoo hoo!'M’s class have been studying books by the Author Anthony Browne, for their Topic this term. The children had an open afternoon to show case all of their hard work. They were asked to dress up as one of the characters and M's costume arrived a few weeks ago. Whilst strictly a monkey suit rather than a gorilla outfit, M was so delighted with it that he has been trying it on constantly and counting the sleeps until he could wear it.
Early one morning he gave me the fright of my life, as I stumbled into the kitchen still drowsy from sleep. I suddenly spotted a huge orange shape out of the corner of my eye, moving across the climbing frame at lightening speed. I have to say that the sensory diet seems to be giving M Super Powers when it comes to balance!
He decided to go as as the gorilla from 'Little beauty' an ape that has learned to communicate by signing.
I love Anthony Browne's books, since they tackle the subject of feelings and this one seemed particularly apt, because it deals with anger. We have been trying our best to use strategies at home, to help M express his anger in a safe and appropriate way. We all have to sit on the time out stair, if we use our shouting voice or rude or unkind words.
I think that children learn best if you model the way you'd like them to behave, rather than setting a set of rules around manners that you don't follow yourself. For a child who spoke so late, speech is still very functional and M has a tendency to say it as he sees it. Whilst we are using lots of books about feelings and social stories, the subtleties of polite conversation and manners still often evade him.
M's work was brilliant! He had made a beautiful hand puppet, worry doll and had written some really fantastic stories. We have given M three extra reward points this week and an A for effort!
The Reading Half Marathon Official Photos
Just Enough left For A Sprint Finish.... but it hurts!
Home Straight
A Strong Start(Photos by Marathon Photos)
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