(no subject)
'Full name: Alexander Jefry Sandhu
Nickname/s: Alex or Fry
DOB: 17th November 2008
Mum's name: Mrs Frances Sandhu
Dad's name: Dr Gurpreet Sandhu
Thank you for looking after Alex today. Please take the time to read at least these quick notes, which will make him much easier to look after! At the back are more detailed notes.
Quick notes
Alex has most likely either High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome (leaflet enclosed), but it is too early to diagnose him for certain. This means that he sometimes sees and feels the world differently from other people. He also finds it difficult to accept change.
When you first meet him, please tell him the main things you will be doing, then remind him before each activity. For example: 'It will be lunch in five minutes', 'it's time to go in the high chair', 'we will have sausages'. He will be much more co-operative if he knows what is happening. Even if you don't think he will understand, tell him anyway, because he will then know something is going to happen.
Alex is an intelligent toddler with a large vocabulary for his age, but he also has echolalia, which means he repeats words and phrases whether or not he understands them. These may be immediate or delayed, in or out of context. He may not realise you are talking to him if in a noisy environment. He doesn't make eye contact usually even when he is listening; if he responds verbally or echos we can assume he heard. Please do not swear near him.
He likes music, lining up toys, playing on the Nintendo Wii (mostly unsuccessfully, but he tries), playing with water and playing in the garden. His favourite TV programs at the moment are Pingu and the NeeNaws. Please do not let him watch In the Night Garden because he is frightened of IgglePiggle.
Alex does not like to be touched, hugged or cuddled. If you have to do something that requires touching, please explain to him exactly what you're going to do. He understands most words for clothes, body parts and many simple commands. Generally he would rather be co-operative if it means not being touched as much, but he may resist you.
If it is something urgent or important, please use the phrase 'It has to be done'. That means no arguments. Please be warned that Alex bites, kicks and hits if touched without warning. If he does so, please tell him 'No biting' etc in a loud firm voice but without shouting. Put on an exaggerated scary face! But then move on.
Alex is very good at escaping! He can get through baby gates and cat flaps. Please do not leave him unattended for more than a few minutes. He can climb up and down stairs but not very well so please stand behind him while he does so.
If upset, he likes to hide in a small space or under a blanket. At our house he has a quiet zone in the living room under the table with the cloth on.
Any other problems, see detailed notes, and have fun!
Detailed notes
We haven't learned everything there is to know about Alex yet, but this is what we have observed.
Playing: When playing with toys, chat to him about what he's doing. He doesn't tend to play interactive games like peek-a-boo. He likes to hide in small things like boxes, but he gets upset if the furniture is moved.
Eating: Alex can hand feed himself solid foods if they are cut into small bits. There are many ready made meals in the freezer that can be reheated for him. Should you need to feed him anything else, no broccoli or peanut products please. Please do not leave him unattended in case he chokes. Grapes need to be cut into quarters. (Note, if he asks for 'Rain', he may want a drink).
Sleeping: Alex doesn't nap (sorry!). He is also an insomniac; he can't get to sleep until about eleven and wakes up at six. We try and put him to bed at ten, he won't usually make much fuss but you have to put the padlock on or keep an ear out for him escaping his crib. (It sounds like a repeated quiet 'ker-tunk' followed by a louder single 'ker-tack').
He has a night light which projects stars over the ceiling. If he's having trouble dozing off try the Times Tables CD - I know it's a bit sad but he likes the repetitive rhythm of it.
Nappies: Every three hours in the daytime or when smelly. If you put the changing mat on the floor and call him over he will walk over, lie down and let you get on with it rather than being picked up.
Bathing: Unless you are caring for him for more than one night, don't worry about this unless he's visibly dirty. Gently sprinkling him with the shower (check temperature is lukewarm, power is low and don't spray him in his face) will turn it into a fun game rather than a battle of wills.
Dressing: As with other forms of touching, warn him what you are going to do. He is likely to make a fuss about this, sorry.
Relaxing: Alex has a quiet zone under the coffee table in the living room. It contains a baby safe glowy light. If he chooses to sit in here, please turn it on and don't bother him unless necessary.
Discipline: Alex understands 'No', 'Don't touch' and 'Put that down'. Please follow No with a simple reason if possible e.g. 'No, dirty'. Make an exaggerated stern face but don't shout. Please be consistant; if you said no the first time and he keeps trying, please keep saying no! Also please be immediate with the reprimand; children Alex's age cannot understand punishments unless they happen straight away.
If Alex hits, bites or kicks another child, he should be given a time out of one minute - tell him he's getting time out and why, pick him up and put him down away from the other child. When he's done time out, ask him to say sorry to the other child, and please encourage him if he does.
If another child touches him and he doesn't hit, bite or kick, but verbally asks the child to move instead, please praise him because it's really difficult for him to do this.
Head banging: Alex has been known to hit his head on hard surfaces when bored, stressed or upset. He's not done this for a while and when he does doesn't usually hurt himself. Please just try and distract him.
Rocking: He sometimes rocks his body back and forth. He can do this for a while. It's usually a stress relieving or comforting response like thumb sucking, so please do not be alarmed and allow him to continue if possible.
If there are any problems, please contact me or Fran, contact numbers are on the back of the booklet.
Nickname/s: Alex or Fry
DOB: 17th November 2008
Mum's name: Mrs Frances Sandhu
Dad's name: Dr Gurpreet Sandhu
Thank you for looking after Alex today. Please take the time to read at least these quick notes, which will make him much easier to look after! At the back are more detailed notes.
Quick notes
Alex has most likely either High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome (leaflet enclosed), but it is too early to diagnose him for certain. This means that he sometimes sees and feels the world differently from other people. He also finds it difficult to accept change.
When you first meet him, please tell him the main things you will be doing, then remind him before each activity. For example: 'It will be lunch in five minutes', 'it's time to go in the high chair', 'we will have sausages'. He will be much more co-operative if he knows what is happening. Even if you don't think he will understand, tell him anyway, because he will then know something is going to happen.
Alex is an intelligent toddler with a large vocabulary for his age, but he also has echolalia, which means he repeats words and phrases whether or not he understands them. These may be immediate or delayed, in or out of context. He may not realise you are talking to him if in a noisy environment. He doesn't make eye contact usually even when he is listening; if he responds verbally or echos we can assume he heard. Please do not swear near him.
He likes music, lining up toys, playing on the Nintendo Wii (mostly unsuccessfully, but he tries), playing with water and playing in the garden. His favourite TV programs at the moment are Pingu and the NeeNaws. Please do not let him watch In the Night Garden because he is frightened of IgglePiggle.
Alex does not like to be touched, hugged or cuddled. If you have to do something that requires touching, please explain to him exactly what you're going to do. He understands most words for clothes, body parts and many simple commands. Generally he would rather be co-operative if it means not being touched as much, but he may resist you.
If it is something urgent or important, please use the phrase 'It has to be done'. That means no arguments. Please be warned that Alex bites, kicks and hits if touched without warning. If he does so, please tell him 'No biting' etc in a loud firm voice but without shouting. Put on an exaggerated scary face! But then move on.
Alex is very good at escaping! He can get through baby gates and cat flaps. Please do not leave him unattended for more than a few minutes. He can climb up and down stairs but not very well so please stand behind him while he does so.
If upset, he likes to hide in a small space or under a blanket. At our house he has a quiet zone in the living room under the table with the cloth on.
Any other problems, see detailed notes, and have fun!
Detailed notes
We haven't learned everything there is to know about Alex yet, but this is what we have observed.
Playing: When playing with toys, chat to him about what he's doing. He doesn't tend to play interactive games like peek-a-boo. He likes to hide in small things like boxes, but he gets upset if the furniture is moved.
Eating: Alex can hand feed himself solid foods if they are cut into small bits. There are many ready made meals in the freezer that can be reheated for him. Should you need to feed him anything else, no broccoli or peanut products please. Please do not leave him unattended in case he chokes. Grapes need to be cut into quarters. (Note, if he asks for 'Rain', he may want a drink).
Sleeping: Alex doesn't nap (sorry!). He is also an insomniac; he can't get to sleep until about eleven and wakes up at six. We try and put him to bed at ten, he won't usually make much fuss but you have to put the padlock on or keep an ear out for him escaping his crib. (It sounds like a repeated quiet 'ker-tunk' followed by a louder single 'ker-tack').
He has a night light which projects stars over the ceiling. If he's having trouble dozing off try the Times Tables CD - I know it's a bit sad but he likes the repetitive rhythm of it.
Nappies: Every three hours in the daytime or when smelly. If you put the changing mat on the floor and call him over he will walk over, lie down and let you get on with it rather than being picked up.
Bathing: Unless you are caring for him for more than one night, don't worry about this unless he's visibly dirty. Gently sprinkling him with the shower (check temperature is lukewarm, power is low and don't spray him in his face) will turn it into a fun game rather than a battle of wills.
Dressing: As with other forms of touching, warn him what you are going to do. He is likely to make a fuss about this, sorry.
Relaxing: Alex has a quiet zone under the coffee table in the living room. It contains a baby safe glowy light. If he chooses to sit in here, please turn it on and don't bother him unless necessary.
Discipline: Alex understands 'No', 'Don't touch' and 'Put that down'. Please follow No with a simple reason if possible e.g. 'No, dirty'. Make an exaggerated stern face but don't shout. Please be consistant; if you said no the first time and he keeps trying, please keep saying no! Also please be immediate with the reprimand; children Alex's age cannot understand punishments unless they happen straight away.
If Alex hits, bites or kicks another child, he should be given a time out of one minute - tell him he's getting time out and why, pick him up and put him down away from the other child. When he's done time out, ask him to say sorry to the other child, and please encourage him if he does.
If another child touches him and he doesn't hit, bite or kick, but verbally asks the child to move instead, please praise him because it's really difficult for him to do this.
Head banging: Alex has been known to hit his head on hard surfaces when bored, stressed or upset. He's not done this for a while and when he does doesn't usually hurt himself. Please just try and distract him.
Rocking: He sometimes rocks his body back and forth. He can do this for a while. It's usually a stress relieving or comforting response like thumb sucking, so please do not be alarmed and allow him to continue if possible.
If there are any problems, please contact me or Fran, contact numbers are on the back of the booklet.