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Hi there.

My daughter is 15years old and has autism. Her difficulties lie in sensory, speech and language social communication (expressive the more difficult), development delays, emotionally delays and immaturity. My daughter is small stature and has a number of medical probs including peanut allergy and asthma etc. The difficulty we are trying to help my daughter overcome is sameness and lack of understanding of why we need to keep ourselves clean and tidy. My daughter has never attempted to wash her own hair even though I frequently practice this with her by talking through what is happening next. My daughter wont brush her own hair she becomes tearful and sometimes angry but she doesnt mind me brushing her hair. Amy wont look in mirrors either she said she doesnt see the point even though we explain why. Amy used to be in speech and language arc due to lack of verbal communication with word retrieval etc. she is in secondary mainstream and is currently doing a couple of GCSE examinations and BTECS. Amy has ahigh level of support in shcool and outside (not independent traveller) and has a befriender but has no social worker. Please could you offer any ideas to us that may help our daughter on her way to independence. Thank you

Hi. My son is only 11 years old but I wonder if you could give me some guidance regarding sensory assessment? Our son has struggled each year with the class transition in a severe special needs sch, to the point he is violent and non compliant at school. He has regressed mentally at home to the point we have decided to withdraw him from school as he is unable to cope. A facilitator of the course "behaviours that challenge us" said my observations and description would indeed point to the fact our son can not cope with the sensory overloads and demands put on him and we should seek an assessment. I know his consultant would action this, but we need speed to get the education board proof that this is a fact and not just assuming that the current placement is wrong for him. Can we request this assessment privately? If so, how long would it take and approx costs involved? Reading the Internet description of this process it seems our son is in need of a lot of help to address his problems and yet school were not willing to accept or adapt to accommodate his needs. He soiled at assembly time, refused to eat in the school hall, refused tasks after 10am daily and couldn't cope with pe and art times, he cheered if kept in at break times and freaked out if another child was loud. Appreciate any knowledge you have of this assessment. Thank you. Heather

Thank you Arlene. I've today asked my son's consultant and she is seeking an urgent OT appointment. Having a deadline of 3 weeks to submit reports to the LEA we doubt NHS will be in time. But having the details from you and knowing I can go privately is a great back up. Thank you.....if only the school had an OT and didn't just come up with the excuse that OT and physio are provided via the Fizzy and Beam programs during PE. Great, my son can't cope with PE because of the acoustics in the hall! What good is that? On with the fight! Thank you

Hi Bayley, Don't think I can answer your question very well, sorry! I've not heard of any successful interventions that can develop theory of mind - but it may develop with time as he goes through adolescence. Social stories may be beneficial to help him to learn what appropriate "reactions" are in situations that demand empathy which will help him to "fit in" but I'm not sure that you can teach him what to feel. Has Clinical Psychology been involved - they might have some suggestions?? It might also be worth posting on the main forum to see if others can help out.
So sorry that I can't help :( Arlene

Hi toast, Bit daft that they gave you tracking but have left you without any slings!! The problem you will have is that the sling loops will need to be compatible with your track. You could try and find the maker of the hoist and then google them, phone the customer services and they will give you the contact for the local rep. The local rep can then come and meet you both and they can do the measurements and give you all the advice in one visit. If you can't find the make of the hoist then you could contact one of the local disability equipment suppliers (the shops that sell bath aids, mobility scooters etc) - they are usually very helpful and will come to the house, look at the hoist, measure for slings and then sell them to you! In my experience the reps are excellent and very skilled at measuring and advising. Good luck - let me know if you are still stuck and I'll see if I can think of another way round this. Arlene