[mollymae]

Some of you will know from reading my facebook page that I've been getting Josh assessed because some of his behaviors can be a little odd and out of sync.

He's been under the care of the language therapy unit since he was 2 because he just never suddenly got speech and it's been hard for him to understand what we're saying. They assessed him in May and told me he was measuring at a 2.5 year level of understanding. In the last 3 months he's had a huge language explosion and is doing much better in my view. But his speech and vocab still seems ahead of his understanding.

He's had assessments by the physio therapist and occupational therapist.

The OT showed me her report today and she thinks he's got Sensory Integration Dysfunction and Auditory processing disorder. She's given me tons of stuff to read and suggestions for games to help him calm his sensory system and encourage his brain to filter information better.

He's starting school in September so she speaking to them about strategies to help him cope in a classroom.

Does anyone elese have any experience of these issues?

[QueenAngie]

So glad that you are getting him early intervention!
I have not had specific experience w/ this,
but do know that treating early is the best.

Prayers for your little sweetie!

[bridge02]

I don't know much about Sensory Integration Dysfunction - but I have spent many years in a Montessori with toddlers. Children all had different paces for learning how to speak. Many of the ones who struggled with it were helped a lot with the use of sign language. I thought it might help your son if you don't already use it...

Best wishes to you and your family : )

[stillparentingafteralltheseyears]

I have worked with children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Two helpful books are The Out Of Sync Child and The Out Of Sync Child Has Fun. One of the boys I worked with for nearly 2 years has done well with early intervention, was mainstreamed and is doing great now entering 5th grade. Your being so proactive will mean all the difference for your son.

I would advise making sure every teacher at his school who will come in contact with your son knows about his diagnosis. This will ensure everyone is on the same page with realistic expectations. If possible request an IEP, which will be helpful also.

[mollymae]

We went to see the paediatrician

Ok Josh hated it, he's was scared going up in the lift but it's on the 10th floor so not much choice. He kept his chew toy in his mouth the whole time. He wasn't keen on seeing the doctor. He refused to speak to her or even look at her and whined about wanting to watch TV in the waiting room. He jumped all over the office and kept shouting at me right in my face. He was completely bouncing off the walls.

He's been referred to the total communications clinic so they can observe him in situ. They have a special playgroup and OT's PT's and speech therapists on hand. They wouldn't say out right what it was but they say it's to do with the way Josh intercepts all the information around him (not just verbal) I told her how dangerous he can be and said although his expressive language has progressed his receptive language isn't. She asked me how i was coping and did i get any support with jack because of his brain injury and I said no i wasn't but i was coping ok, just about. She said to ring if it all gets too much and she will get me some help.

She's going to contact the school and ask them to do a report after 6 weeks at school.

We have a speech therapy assessment on friday so wish us some more luck please.

[mollymae]

Just to update

Ok speech therapy went well. Josh's expressive speech has come on well but his receptive speech isn't so good. He was a major fidget and nearly fell off the chair repeatedly. He was difficult to engage in the activites. We ended up giving him having his oral chew toy thingy to try and calm and focus him. I told her how dangerous he can be and she agree that his understanding is very delayed.

He then said he was tired and wanted to go home. He went all floppy and led on the floor.

Then he got up for a cuddle and announced he wanted to go home and wanted daddy. I told him daddy wasn't here repeatedly but he clearly didn't believe me. Then as if to prove my point he tried to head head first out of her open window and had to be dragged back in.

She is going to speak to the school and be very strict with how they teach him. He needs to be taught in small groups or one to one. They will have work they have to do with him and she thinks they should get extra funding.

We popped in to see his OT because she asked us to come by after our appointment and he was still being very highly strung. I mentioned the fidgeting and she's gonna get him a squiggy seat pad to see if that help him focus.

I think the OT and Speech Therapist will be very helpful in getting him the help he needs at school.