This is a transcript word by word of Chris SALT report. Believe me it is the most positive report I EVER got from a professional in brain injury. I also think it is VERY important to have this in writing from an independent professional as it validates actual changes in Chris following his stem cell treatment.

“Since his return from China on 30 June 2007 Mr. Barnes has received weekly input by the SALT team.

During the period of SALT assessment, Mr. Barnes demonstrated significantly less hypersensitivity to touch, improved level of awareness but continues to present with severe cognitive-communication difficulties.” These observations were characterized by:

• Maintaining eye contact during longer sessions/ interactions consistently (i.e. up to 30 minutes where previously it was restricted to 10 minutes)
• Responding to voice (turning to look at speaker, laughing/ smiling at appropriate intonation or facial expression, turning to look at voices heard from distance)
• Responding to facial expressions (maintaining eye-contact, smiling, laughing)
• More consistent head nodding and turning/ pulling away thus on the verge of a no/ yes response being established
• Unable to indicate color or shape recognition (this could also be due to reduced interest or motivation to engage in task)
• Beginning to vocalize at request depending on person asking and mood at that time
• Vocalising (moaning/ crying out) to indicate pain/ discomfort and head turn / pull away to indicate negative response. On many occasions teeth grinding has been noted but this is discouraged as a form of indicating negative response via support, reassurance and modeling other behaviors
• Inconsistent ability to indicate choice using eye gaze
• Unable to match single spoken words to pictures/objects
• Unable to match single written words to pictures/objects
• Unable to express wants or needs but it appears to be emerging

On the whole, Mr. Barnes appears moiré able to engage with his environment and demonstrates attempts to initiate interaction. It remains unclear if at this stage Mr. Barnes the specific motivation e.g. for social interaction or functional (when hungry) as oral groping is often observed at this time. Such oral groping could be a primitive behavior to indicate hunger or thirst or it could be an indicator of dyspraxia (difficulty coordinating muscle movement). I believe this behavior is a combination of both depending upon the circumstances in which it is observed.

SALT sessions have involved: relaxation, sensory stimulation, one-2-one sessions focusing on basic object recognition using language and function and supporting the care staff in modifying behaviors and practicing SLAT activities with a view to address the above. Working with the one-2-one staff and rest of the multi-disciplinary team enables carry over of therapy approaches and establish routine and consistency.

Mr. Barnes responds well to sensory stimulation e.g. is becoming more consistent at making choices of taste stimulus using eye gaze, tolerates sessions between 30 to 40 minutes now. He shows an interest in other group members and staff around him and has also been observed foot tapping to music! Mr. Barnes continues to manage a soft-moist diet and normal fluids except when he does not enjoy the food and currently remains unable to feed himself.”

Report date 7 December 2007