That's amazing!! That must feel like such a relief!Did anyone hear back about SEN schools for their children? My son got into the best one in Liverpool I’m so so happy, I thought he had no chance because none had got back to us but only him and 2 other children got a place for reception as the waiting lists are so full. Feel like this is going to help him so much🫶
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Is there anything specific you’d like to help your child with? Or is it that you’d like progress to speed up a bit?
I don't think there are any therapies for autistic kids like there is in America.
We do private speech & Language called PACT (The Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy). It basically involves our SLT video us playing for 10 minutes and then we watch it through noting any none verbal communication that was missed, what we as parents are doing correct/incorrect.
For example - At the first session it was noted that I narrate every single thing my kid was doing. Typical language method for NT kids however my ASD kid was actively ignoring me and I was overwhelming her by constantly narrating everything she did. The first bit of "homework" was to play together and not say a word.
Anyway - other than this form of SLT I can't think of anything else available
Hi, thanks for your responses. I’m basically after a miracle (I know, I know). My child is non-verbal and doesn’t follow instructions. She’s not toilet trained. She’s very very very behind in almost every way. I’m so out of my depth. Nothing seems to work. Speech therapy isn’t reaching her. PECs didn’t work. I can’t engage her in anything. Food is a separate battle- I tried to get her referred to a dietician, but they knocked it back as she’s not underweight and she’s Autistic.
I suppose speech is the main thing, but I’d happily take progress in any area.
I suppose speech is the main thing, but I’d happily take progress in any area.
How old is your daughter?
What has the speech therapist said about it?
Have you been recommended any other therapies like OT at all?
It’s so hard and such a worry, especially as no one knows how things will progress as even with the same diagnosis everyones brain is so unique!
I feel like all I do is worry and feel sad all the time and I wish I knew how I could change my mindset!
hi I hope you don’t mind me jumping in but has the speech therapist looked at any other kind of AAC’s besides PECS? It’s not a subject I know much about as my son doesn’t use them at present but I jointed a FB group where parents share and discuss AAC apps that can be used with iPads/tablets and their children seem to really benefit for them. The most important thing is that a method of communication can be found for your daughter. It might be worth looking into xx
Thank you so much for your replies. My daughter is 4. She gets OT through her EHCP at school. It is so worrying. I’m hoping that in ten years’ time; I’ll look back at this and wonder why I worried so much. Equally, I know that my current worries may well be confirmed. The SLT was talking at one point about using an iPad app for communication, but my daughter’s pretend play has improved a bit and she’s repeating words, so that idea has been dropped now. The SLT also suspects she is understanding more, which is obviously great. I just feel like I’m wasting valuable time and I don’t know what approach is best to take. I feel like a terrible mother. Sorry for being a whinge bag.
You’re not a terrible mother, we’re all learning as we go along and it sounds like you’re doing everything you can to help! Being persistent is the biggest thing and working with the school too, if she enjoys stuff in there do it at home too. They’ll all get there at their own pace and that’s all that matters
Have you looked into Gestalt language processing? Lots of autistic children learn language this way and not many SLT’s give this type of therapy.
I also think some days I am going two steps forward and three back with my 3 yr old. But they’ll get there xx
It’s usually a play based assessment, so you’ll be asked to sit in the corner whilst a play therapist will bring out various toys and interact with your child. For us we had a tea set to role play with, some dolls, building blocks and a pretend telephone, and then they asked to role play with imaginary things such as a sink and washing up. We were asked to take several snacks with us that they used as part of the play. They also asked questions throughout, such as “what’s that?” whilst motioning with their eye movement only, to see if the child looks in that direction. It was far less traumatic than I had been expecting, and annoyingly we owned the majority of toys they brought out, so I felt that we gave a false sense of competency and adapting to new things as to us they weren’t new!
My 3 yr old (non verbal asd)son had a sedated hearing test on (hearing fine) Monday (melatonin and chloral hydrate), had pretty traumatic response when he came round-was inconsolable, agitated and in a lot of pain- which lasted 24 hrs. The dr felt he was perhaps having a shock reaction. He’s since improved, for 4 days he slept for 3-4 hrs in the afternoon. This is very unlike him, before the sedation he was sleeping for an hr max and not every day.
He also seems to be having a lot of stomach issues. He’s usually a child that’s very very constipated due to limited diet but now it’s the opposite.
Has anyone else’s lo has similar reactions? I wish the staff had told us of possible side effects and the medications involved before the sedation. I would never of put him through this.
He also seems to be having a lot of stomach issues. He’s usually a child that’s very very constipated due to limited diet but now it’s the opposite.
Has anyone else’s lo has similar reactions? I wish the staff had told us of possible side effects and the medications involved before the sedation. I would never of put him through this.
Does anyone know/ever wondered why at an ASD assessment the consultant paediatrician asks questions about your pregnancy and birth? Just we’re always being told it’s something you are born with and couldn’t prevent etc, so why ask those questions?!
I’m actually going to ask them when my daughter has her assessment this month.
I don’t believe all the conspiracy theories out there how it’s caused by vaccines etc. However, I do sometimes find myself wondering if it was something I did to cause it, especially when I look back at videos for her first 6/8 months and she seemed so smiley all the time and engaged.
I’m actually going to ask them when my daughter has her assessment this month.
I don’t believe all the conspiracy theories out there how it’s caused by vaccines etc. However, I do sometimes find myself wondering if it was something I did to cause it, especially when I look back at videos for her first 6/8 months and she seemed so smiley all the time and engaged.
It's because there is a close link between autism and a difficult/traumatic birth. For instance, premature babies have a higher chance of having autism.
I also think it's to rule out other causes such as cerebral palsy/ brain damage / strokes in utero.
Apologies for disappearing. I got all down and depressed about things. I have heard of Gestalt learners and I follow Meaningful Speech on Instagram. I think I have a gestalt learner, but the suggestions to encourage speech just aren’t working.
Thanow for the words of encouragement and support. It’s hugely appreciated.
I was debating ordering Laura Mize’s Autism workbook. Has anyone here tried it?
I was also asked questions about pregnancy and the birth. However when I told them of a problem in pregnancy that would seem to be very relevant, they weren’t interested!
Thanow for the words of encouragement and support. It’s hugely appreciated.
I was debating ordering Laura Mize’s Autism workbook. Has anyone here tried it?
I was also asked questions about pregnancy and the birth. However when I told them of a problem in pregnancy that would seem to be very relevant, they weren’t interested!
Has anyone with an EHCP deferred their child a year for school? I’ve been told this morning that our LA have said 100% mainstream is suitable for my son. He’s non verbal, still in nappies, not independent etc etc you know the drill. He’s 4 in august.
We chose a mainstream school with a resourced provision attached, and the sendco from the school has said he would be more suited there than the mainstream. So it is going back to panel in the next few weeks.
If we defer, will the EHCP cover his nursery fees considering there isn’t a suitable setting for him?
I’ve emailed back today to say I would only be happy with full time mainstream if he was allocated a 1:1 100%. In his EHCP it states he needs 1:1 and small group intervention so I’m really shocked the LA has done this.
Thanks 🥹 xx
We chose a mainstream school with a resourced provision attached, and the sendco from the school has said he would be more suited there than the mainstream. So it is going back to panel in the next few weeks.
If we defer, will the EHCP cover his nursery fees considering there isn’t a suitable setting for him?
I’ve emailed back today to say I would only be happy with full time mainstream if he was allocated a 1:1 100%. In his EHCP it states he needs 1:1 and small group intervention so I’m really shocked the LA has done this.
Thanks 🥹 xx
Hello! I delayed my child’s start. She’s a summer baby - sounds a lot like your little one, but a year older.
My child has an EHCP. It sounds ludicrous that they are suggesting that mainstream is suitable. Definitely push hard for the specialist attached provision. My child will start at a similar provision in September this year.
I don’t know if the ehcp will cover nursery fees. My child attends a school nursery. There’s a small top up for the lunch hour and I pay that. I couldn’t face arguing the toss to be honest. You could try asking but they are v likely to say no as it will cost them money….
Have you applied for DLA? If not, then do!
Absolutely stick to your guns on the provision type. They are being difficult because there’s been a huge spike in SEN and money and places are in short supply. They will happily dump your child anywhere that’s the cheapest option. I know I’m sounding mean and cynical but experience has made me that way.
Something to bear in mind…they may try to say that if your child repeats nursery, he will have to go straight into year 1. They are more likely to say that if it’s specialist provision. If they agree a Sept 2025 start in reception- get it in writing. If they say he will need to go into year 1, then complain. There are fabulous Facebook groups who can support with this and indeed I’d be very happy to share my letter with you (I’m rather proud of it) so that you can copy whatever you want from it.
Also, I wouldn’t necessarily be in a hurry to accept 1-1 in mainstream. I’d be concerned that they’d struggle to recruit and you’ll get someone with little experience of ASD.
Sorry that probably wasn’t very helpful, but best of luck.
My child has an EHCP. It sounds ludicrous that they are suggesting that mainstream is suitable. Definitely push hard for the specialist attached provision. My child will start at a similar provision in September this year.
I don’t know if the ehcp will cover nursery fees. My child attends a school nursery. There’s a small top up for the lunch hour and I pay that. I couldn’t face arguing the toss to be honest. You could try asking but they are v likely to say no as it will cost them money….
Have you applied for DLA? If not, then do!
Absolutely stick to your guns on the provision type. They are being difficult because there’s been a huge spike in SEN and money and places are in short supply. They will happily dump your child anywhere that’s the cheapest option. I know I’m sounding mean and cynical but experience has made me that way.
Something to bear in mind…they may try to say that if your child repeats nursery, he will have to go straight into year 1. They are more likely to say that if it’s specialist provision. If they agree a Sept 2025 start in reception- get it in writing. If they say he will need to go into year 1, then complain. There are fabulous Facebook groups who can support with this and indeed I’d be very happy to share my letter with you (I’m rather proud of it) so that you can copy whatever you want from it.
Also, I wouldn’t necessarily be in a hurry to accept 1-1 in mainstream. I’d be concerned that they’d struggle to recruit and you’ll get someone with little experience of ASD.
Sorry that probably wasn’t very helpful, but best of luck.
Hello, this is great thank you!
I spoke to the EHCP caseworker this morning and she said he would be able to start reception if I deferred but I would definitely get it in writing.
We have DLA, which we pay for SLT. The nursery he goes to atm is private and we pay around £150 per month for that.
I don’t think he will get a 1:1 as the senco said he wouldn’t cope in mainstream so I guess I need to wait until the outcome of the panel
Xx
Please do get it in writing. I’m being a bossy boots here, but I was told verbally and then they lied and said they’d told me the opposite. I won, but it was enormously stressful.
It’s ‘good’ that the senco said he wouldn’t cope in mainstream- means you have a stronger case for specialist provision.
Best of luck with the panel.
It’s ‘good’ that the senco said he wouldn’t cope in mainstream- means you have a stronger case for specialist provision.
Best of luck with the panel.