andrewpowell

How difficult is that ! when you ask him he says no and when you do it he objects!!! I always think about the backward chaining method, getting him all dressed bar last item, eg just leave off one sock on one foot and even that sock half on then ask him to pull the sock over the heel and even go hand over hand to demonstrate. Get him dressed while he watches TV or is otherwise occupied? Put on music??? (clutching at straws here!) Rewards for each item on without a fuss - making it a game - even bits of cereal! Or timer and leave him to it - saying if you've not finished after 10 mins I will come back and finish off (which he doesnt like much!!.. so may be motivated to try on his own at least a few bits??) And reward eahc item he has got on. Maybe baiting the skill helps - 'bet you can't do more than one thing before I get back' type of thing. Having a picture sequence on his wall with order clothes should go on. (Might rip it up??) Sometimes bit of a massage before attempting clothes helps or changing when he gets dressed. If it is sensory does it hurt him - 'how do clothes feel?' He might answer 'scratchy' etc? Body lotion first (if warmed first)? Some kids like lycra or silk or cycling shorts etc One man I know with AS said when he was a kid clothes, ? felt like wrapping my body in sandpaper?. Sometimes another person coming in and saying it can help: ?My son wouldn?t wear clothes especially dislikes wearing trousers but neighbour came in and said if you wear trousers you get Bionical (toy). He said yes straightaway and put the trousers on? !!! (can you get neighbour to come in each morning?!?!?) Ok enuff rubbish suggestions! Good luck Andrew

Tracey You've probably sent the horrible forms off by now!, but if not just thought I'd throw in a few thoughts. Hope they're not too off track from what you actually asked! There are parts where you must put down your child's GP Do put his/her contact details down but if he/she not a lot of good then specifically write on the form that you'd like them to also speak/contact another health professional (one you trust a bit more), put their name and contact details down. Similarly where it says child's school - write it down but ask them to speak to/contact someone at school who you think knows most about your son/daughter. Write down their name (eg LSA? or school nurse? or even SENCO?) The DLA are then obliged to contact those people you've mentioned. (If they don't and it goes to appeal the DLA would probly lose their 'case' straightaway) Apart from that ....the bit about another person who knows you child well as others have said just put down whoever best fits that description eg partner or grandparent or whoever else. Sure you've already done this but the NAS Helpline DLA guide 0845 070 4004 is handy and www.cerebra.org.uk looks really useful guide to filling in DLA. Good luck with application Andrew

Apologies if this is old news. I am just getting used to using this fantastic resource!! and have not looked at all the postings... One parent recently told me she had found Step pad very useful. It is about �20 plus p and p. It fits in palm of hand and you can record sequences of actions that your child might need to follow. It saves a lot of time with constantly answering repetitive questions (that's the theory!). You can record WE'RE GOING TO SHOPS, then AFTER SHOPS WE'RE GOING TO GO TO GET PETROL, then AFTER PETROL WE WILL GO TO GRAN'S FOR LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR , then AFTER GRAN'S WE'LL COME HOME AGAIN. Your son or daughter can hang on the Step Pad and play back the steps as a memory reinforcer and reassurance. It can also be used to just record things you need to remember like a handy dictaphone but simpler to use. It records about 72 second worth of speech. alison@liberator.co.uk for more details Andrew