|
May 2016
12:16pm, 19 May 2016
20,818 posts
|
halfpint
Pestomum - I absolutely agree that we should not force eye contact or interaction particularly when children are already distressed. Likewise, I am continually encouraging my schools to adapt the environment to the needs of the child or provide opportunities for children to remove themselves from sensory environments which cause them distress. However, I disagree with you re: providing opportunities to manage change. We cannot possibly create an environment which is absolutely, completely predictable for youngsters and if they can learn to cope with (or at least better tolerate)change then why would we choose not to support this. By introducing change in a controlled way we can build their skills and decrease their anxiety around change - thereby enabling them.
|
|
May 2016
1:31pm, 19 May 2016
4,139 posts
|
Jono.
yep - we can't mold the world around them and sometimes they have to accept change - it is hard Tomsmum, we call it the autistic helter skelter.
|
|
May 2016
2:55pm, 19 May 2016
62 posts
|
Pestomum
I 'm not suggesting we change the environment to rule out the unexpected, but I am questioning deliberately adding more stress and anxiety to lives that are already incredibly stressful. Unless of course, they're learning from it and coping better. If they're not coping any better then don't do it. Desensitising doesn't happen.
Each autistic person is different. What is "enabling skills" for one is "just extra difficulties" for another. C has been at the receiving end of quite a lot of misguided teaching and OT, where they were determined to "get her used" to things that ultimately had no educational/ social value (painting/ water play/ mud). We've only just convinced them to stop!
|
|
May 2016
3:25pm, 19 May 2016
20,819 posts
|
halfpint
Agreed, there is no sense in forcing children into activities which have no functional value. Our OTs have just begun to change how they take referrals and it is very much about 'occupations' i.e. functional skills. If the child can't undertake an every day, functional task then they will work around that specific task. We take a very holistic approach and what I often refer to as a 2 pronged attack - upskill the child as much as is reasonable AND adapt the learning/home environment to meet the child's needs. Will still have to odd school with a within child approach who expect me to fix the child so they can fit into the school environment - they get a rude awakening when lots of my recommendations are about what they can change about the environment (and I mean that in the widest sense)
|
|
May 2016
5:45pm, 19 May 2016
12,640 posts
|
HowFar?
One of the women who took our training pointed out in the first few minutes that she had not brought her magic wand with her.
|
|
May 2016
9:38pm, 19 May 2016
4,141 posts
|
Jono.
I still think there's a lot of that HP - people thinking they can fix the child.
|
|
May 2016
9:19am, 20 May 2016
1,897 posts
|
Tomsmum
The other side is saying there is nothing we can do..
I have just got off the phone with the head of service for CAHMS. Apparently now Thomas has been diagnosed all they offer is a 6 week parent support group. Nothing for the child. We referred ourselves because we felt that Thomas and the family needed support and possibly some overt teaching of skills, and there is none of that at all. I am cross and a bit in despair. Not really sure where to turn next.
|
|
May 2016
9:23am, 20 May 2016
15,396 posts
|
Stander
It's not about forcing kids to do things they can't Pesto, it's about encouraging them to try, because let's face facts, the world isn't particularly going to change to suit our children, it's our children that have to adapt to suit the world.
And yes, I realise that's a big generalisation but it's the basic principle I apply with Stander junior and my folks have always used with my brother (who is now in his 50's)
|
|
May 2016
9:26am, 20 May 2016
15,397 posts
|
Stander
Don't be quite so down on the parent support group Tomsmum - they are often a forum where parents swap stories/information and you can pick up some useful hints/tips/advice on possible next steps and/or other places to source support services.
|
|
May 2016
9:31am, 20 May 2016
1,898 posts
|
Tomsmum
No I am not down on it, its maybe exactly what I need. ATM I am coping with this basically on my own. But it's the fact that that is all they offer.. Diagnosis, 6 weeks of parent support and then that's it
|
Inbetweenies - not skinny, not fat, need to lose around a stone ...
Feb 2025