SALTs · Wednesday February 28, 2007 by Rose

Today we received through our copy of the Speech and Language Therapy Initial Report. The SALT wrote that SJ is “a pleasant young man who is eager to cooperate, with good attention skills”. Hmm, so she doesn’t side with the Consultant over the ADHD working diagnosis then?!

She also wrote that he demonstrated “literal understanding” and that, although he tried hard, he couldn’t maintain a conversation in a co-operative way. I’d found that interesting at the time because, whilst I know he lacks some social understanding, I hadn’t really appreciated how unable to “converse” he was, until I watched his assessment. He doesn’t see that he is “meant” to ask the other person in a conversation about them, and is happy just to talk about himself and his interests. It wasn’t something I was aware we’d have to work upon.

However they’ve sent through some suggested things to work through with him, including Understanding Stories, Asking Questions for Social Purposes and Ways to Address Literal Understanding. She recommended Jessica Kingsley Publishers: anyone heard of them?

The gluten thing seems to be calming down a bit, as we haven’t had a meltdown now for 48 hours, and I noticed even his repetitive behaviour lessened considerably today. We had another HE family around, with young children (5 and 2) which is always good for SJ. He is so very good with the little ones. He helped them in, helped them with their coats and shoes, and took great care of the 2 year old.

I also received through today our 3 potatoes from the potatoes for schools initiative. Its handy that we got three, as it means we can give one each to the boys, each to its own pot, and see how they grow. There’s lots of resources on the site for them to use.

This evening we had a small group meeting at our house, and I was once again struck by the very mature way that my lads met people at the door, helped with their coats, offered drinks and biscuits (they’d all made some more gf shortbread in the afternoon!). Its something that adults always notice about HE kids – their social maturity is usually years ahead of their “peers”.

It really encourages me to know that SJ is learning these social skills in such a secure environment, as I know they will be essential to him in later years.

Resources, Meltdowns and Melting Shortbread Weather Science and Sunday Papers