Thursday 18 October 2012

Brought to you by the power of caffeine!



Long day.

After getting no sleep all last night due to poorly children and having a hospital appointment to go to today, today I was powered by caffeine. I love coke but too much makes my stomach play up but today I NEEDED it to make it through the day! I am just about still awake but have a killer headache from the exhaustion.

Illness.

So after being sick 7 times in the night Evie woke up this morning feeling better and hungry. She managed to eat a bit today  and drink and has kept it down. She still is bit tired and looks pale but at least she is better - fingers crossed! So Evie is better and Lillie gets home from school feeling poorly with a slight temp and a headache. I have dosed her up with calpol and sent her to bed with fingers crossed she manages to fight the germs off.                                                                                        
                                             

Tomorrow.

So tomorrow afternoon Evie is supposed to be having her Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). This will help to assess whether she has Autism/Aspergers.

                                                         Aspergers Cats Video

The ADOS consists of 4 modules requiring 35-40 minutes to administer. However they are only assessed on one module which is best matched to their language level and chronological age. Modules 1 and 2 require the test user and child to move around the room whereas 3 and 4 can be administered at a table. Activities for each module has the following activities:


MODULE 1: for children who do not consistently use phrase speech.
  • Free Play
  • Response to name
  • Response to joint attention
  • Bubble play
  • Anticipation of a routine with objects
  • Responsive social smile
  • Functional and symbolic imitation
  • Birthday party
  • Snack
MODULE 2: for those who use phrase speech but who are not verbally fluent.
  • Construction task
  • Make-believe play
  • Joint interactive play
  • Conversation
  • Response to joint attention
  • Demonstration task
  • Description of picture
  • Looking at a book
  • Free play
  • Response to name
  • Birthday party
  • Snack
  • Anticipation of a routine with objects
  • Bubble play
MODULE 3: for verbally fluent children
  • Construction task
  • Make-believe play
  • Joint interactive play
  • Demonstration task
  • Description of a picture
  • Telling a story from a book
  • Cartoons
  • Reporting a non-routine event/conversation
  • Emotions
  • Social difficulties/annoyance
  • Break
  • Friends/loneliness/marriage
  • Creating a story
MODULE 4: for fluent adults
  • Construction task
  • Telling a story from a book
  • Description of a picture
  • Demonstration task
  • Cartoons
  • Creating a story
  • Conversation
  • Current work/school
  • Social difficulties/annoyance
  • Break
  • Emotions
  • Daily living
  • Friends/marriage
  • Loneliness
  • Plans and dreams
Each module presents numerous opportunities for the individual being assessed to exhibit behaviours of interest in the diagnosis of ASDs through standard ‘presses’ for communication and social interaction.

Notes are taken during the administration of the module. Overall ratings are completed immediately after administration, even if the session is taped. These ratings can then be used to formulate a diagnosis through the use of a diagnostic algorithm which is provided for each module.

                                

This will be an important day for Evie and a long time coming. Whatever will be will be with her I just want to get her the support she needs if she has it. Diagnosis date will be 5th Nov so I expect I will be nervously awaiting this for her.

I am feeling very sleepy and all is quiet so far from the girls so I am heading off to bed hoping to feel better tomorrow than I did today!
                                   

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