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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 3/28/2007 7:35:46 PM | Hello Kingston:
I imagine you've read tonnes of stuff and researched your heart out looking for answers. You will never stop searching and you will always find differents ways to deal with, cope and help your child deal with, cope with Autism. I'm sure you've found out that Ontario has the highest funding available for children with Autism, 10,000 per year for zero to six years old. It is so important to take advantage of what's available and use the money for early Autism Intervention before your child starts school. It is also important to get the resources in place prior to school starting. I have read many of the responses you have received and my best advice to you is this:
Every child with Autism is different from the next, that is why it is called ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, with the disability ranging in varying degrees. As your child grows and learns you will discover what strengths and weaknesses are present. What works for someone else's child may not work for yours, but it's always worth trying. Children with ASD have sensory deficits and can be affected by sound, lights, noises (ie, the sound of a baby crying can be very frustrating for a child with ASD), large crowds, such as classrooms can overstimulate a child and you will find that your child will find a way to provide self-stimulation (also known as stimming), some children spin, rock, hit themselves (some say it is their way in attempting to straighten out their brain).
My son is 13 years old and has Asperger's Syndrome, a very high functioning form of Autism, also referred to by some specialists as "The Explosive Child", I suggest that if your child is slapping you, you may want to consider reading up on Asperger's as in this form of Autism children show agressive behaviour, such as verbal outbursts and physical hitting, slapping, etc. When my son was 3 I had to tape all cords to the walls, get rid of all plants etc...the key to surviving any childhood disability is to "Change the Environment to fit the child, do not try to change the child to fit the environment".
Two more pieces of kindly advice, for those of you that keep saying "Autistic Child", Autistic Son, daughter etc....this is what we call labeling our children, you are identifying the disability as a description for the child...when it is more appropriate to be identifying the child, as having Autism. My son's name is Bobby and he has Autism., Autism does not have him.
Secondly, there is a study that shows the mercury content in bottom eating fish such as tuna may cause behaviour problems in children with Autism, as medical studies have proven that Children with Autism do not expell mercury as you or I would.
Kingston you have been given great advice from many people and you will find your way and your child will be fine because she has the greatest advocate in the world fighting for her, YOU. Stay strong and keep educating yourself.
Sandy in BC | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 4/3/2007 3:42:29 PM | One of my best girlfriends has a now-10 year old son with Autism. At 7 when I first met them, he was running around like a dog, bit my son within seconds of meeting him, was nonverbal, self mutilating and agressive. He was already in special education without much effect, but they changed schools within the first year I knew him. Then he began writing, gained some language and began making friendships. What everyone says here about trying different things, and early intervention is so true from what I've seen. The homelife was changed some too, they actually became less lenient with him, using time-outs and rewards and raising their expectations of him (I'm not saying they got strict - they just gave him do-able goals and expectations). Many times she has to call him over and ask for eye contact and explain what she wants, then ask him to repeat it. His language is still limited, but he then can clean his room, dress himself, make cereal, brush his teeth, do his homework, etc. Before the education and increased discipline it was impossible. Now he's learning self control for short periods of time to gain rewards or avoid punishment! His language is so fun, he talks in movie lines, doing the voices, etc. But most importantly, he can communicate and the self harming and much of his agression disappeared immediately with language. His mother spends time with him reading, hugging, talking and always has. He's VERY loving.
That said, all the parents of special needs children are heroes in my eyes. I rarely watch her children because of how very difficult it is to handle him for even a couple hours. They do learn, it does get better, keep trying everything and see what works.
As an aside, I've heard from several people that some children show autistic symptoms cause by wheat alergies/glutens. It might be worth some research. | |
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| From the horse's mouth
Posted: 4/5/2007 4:43:09 PM | Hello. I just did a search on this page for autism and I thought it would be better for some people to hear something from the Autistic spectrum and not just from some people that aren't Autistic.
I happen to be Autistic. I've been diagnosed with Asperger's for about 10 years now and life has been a challenge. I suggest if you want to deal with somebody with Autism better, talk to one of your higher functioning autistics. | |
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| From the horse's mouth
Posted: 5/19/2007 8:39:56 PM | Me too. My IQ is normal. I have some savant abilities. But read 'Nobody Nowhere' by Donna Williams (published in 1992 when she was 23) if you really want an insder's glimpse.
Read the preface and the forward too -- and pay the most attention to the part that stresses that each of us is different and how by the time she was done she was diagnosed with everything else but that under the sun.
And so will your child be if the Ontario government's has anything to do with it. I do not mean that in a conspiratorial sense...that would be giving them too much credit.
But they have the biggest influence on program funding and the statistics that private donors (corporations) rely on and base their cash outlay upon.
Just like they solved the problem of OHIP not paying for gender re-assignment surgery by taking it away from The Wellesley Hospital [you'd have to know the city] and giving it to St. Joseph's [big clue ther even if you are from Mars]...the Humber Memorial Hospital phychological department no longer exists...not for autistics anyway.
I think a used car dealer bought the property where my doctor used to be. Not sure but not worth the bus fare to find out...he ain't in the phone book. Sometimes I regret that my grandfather died before I was able obtain my dual American citizenship and I truly did go off the f^cking deep end.
I'd sue their asses from here to kingdom come...they have childhood records in Quebec too so.... | |
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Gavel
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Joined: 4/8/2007
Msg: 55 | |
| From the horse's mouth
Posted: 5/20/2007 6:34:12 PM | Hi Everyone,
I found this link www.talkautism.com on the Autism Research Institute.
It is a Virtual Speaker, that the Autism community shares knowledge and research.
Looks like you can look up just about anything with regards to Autism.
A brief synopsis of my son, who is PDD>
* diagnosed at 2.5 on the severe end of spectrum
*put in daycare as soon as it was suggested to help with socialization
*I participated in the Hanon Program (More than Words text as resource)
*My son graduated from Intensive Behavioural Intervention at 6.5 (8 mos of therapy(
*He did not go to Pre-kindergarten, started in school in Kindergarten. Held back to stay with daycare because they allowed the IBI therapists to work with him in that environment (the schools do not allow this crossover). It helped prepare him for transitions in the school environment.
*Has been in Public and Catholic school system. My experience, thus far, Catholic system more open and collaborative.
*Has had EA assistance and is fully integrated in class.
My son went from only echolaliach langauge, no reciprocal language, very limited eye contact to engaging when asked and at times on his own. (I am not a huge supporter of forced eye-contact. There has been research that indicates that this is not beneficial to the child and actually limits their ability to take in and learn).
When he was very small, augmentatives/pic symbols were all over my house. Now, we do not use them at all. As well, as a visual schedule that we used to prepare or warn him of the days events (especially on the weekends). I used to have to pre-warn for almost an hour when he was about 3, to even get him in the car, then out of the car to go to Tim Hortons. There were times we would get there and he would not get out of the car. But, we still gave him positives for the car ride (found something to put positive twist on---all the bells and whistles to let him know he did something great). Then when we were to do it again.....pre-warn and possible reward for going in to the coffee -shop.
This took quite some time (years actually) to accomplish. He is now nine and we can now say, "c'mon buddy we're going to _______", without all of the pre-warn and so on.
Keep in mind, we did not allow him to be disruptive and if we decided that we should leave, he heard that it was not acceptable in the car ride home. He began to say sorry to us. Eventually, we could stay places longer. He still has his own "time clock". But, he is now able to cope with noises at a movie theater and can sit thru the movie (sometimes covering his ears to muffle the loudness).
We even took him to see "Lord of the Dance" and had seats near the speakers. He sat thru the 2 hr. performance (covering his ears sometimes). He thinks he is Lord of the Dance. And, so do I.
I attribute the leaps and bounds that he has taken, also, to my daughter who is only a year older. She would remind me at times "mom he can do this, don't baby him".
She is his best friend and advocate. She has a beautiful old soul as a result.
It has been a journey that I have cherished and grown thru...........
I can't express enough what a beautiful experience it is to watch such a loving person emerge to give us the privilege of knowing him.
One day, he turned to me and said "mom is this the end of Lucas".........after a night of IBI. It was almost as if he knew, that a little part of him was being replaced by the one that he was being "trained" to be..........It took my breath away.
I read all your posts and it does me good to hear such love and respect for you children!
Kudos to you all! | |
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Gavel
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Joined: 4/8/2007
Msg: 56 | |
| From the horse's mouth
Posted: 5/20/2007 6:36:01 PM | Sorry, I didn't mention.
Lucas has complete conversations, is loving, identifies emotions in himself and others.
Most would not know unless they spend more time with him.
He's amazing. | |
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| children w/ disabilities.
Posted: 5/20/2007 7:07:10 PM | I know all to hard how it is to deal with kids with a disability. I have a 6 yo with "williams syndrome" and it's hard, but I know the different degreez of autism can be much much worse then what I ahve to deal with. The thing is, I don't get frustrated anymore.. I use to, big time! I have learned to accept him at his speed.. and that's ok!
One of the worst things, is the fact that some parents think they can keep up with typical chilren, in most cases they can not. They go at their own pace and you have to let them.
And don't get down about it. There are much worse things out there. You just gotta keep moving forward.
SO.. having said that, let me post you some inspirational notes, which is the best I can do considering I don't know your situation besides what is posted.
If you have not read it..
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The Beauty of Holland by Emily Pearl Kingsley
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability -- to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful vacation plans. The coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very, very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The flight attendant comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?", you say." What do you mean, Holland? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy. "
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for awhile and you catch your breath, you look around, and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say, 'Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned.'
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.
But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.
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AND..
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Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled children were chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation.
As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"This one gets a daughter.
"The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
"This one gets twins.
The Patron saint will be Matthew"
"This one gets a son.
The Patron saint.....give her Gerard. He's used to profanity"
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles.
"Give her a disabled child".
The angel is curious.
"Why this one God? She's so happy"
"Exactly," smiles God.
"Could I give a disabled child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel!"
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of sorrow and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today, she has that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you"
God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness"
The angel gasps - "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally she won't survive. Yes here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied.She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider any 'step' ordinary. When her child says "Momma" for the first time she will be present at a miracle and will know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see... ignorance, cruelty and prejudice...and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side"
"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel,his pen poised in mid air.
God smiles "A mirror will suffice"
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GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU! I really mean that. Hats off to everyone who lives in this world with their children and trying like heck to make it work. It's never easy, but in the end.. it's the greatest reward ever. | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 5/20/2007 7:12:10 PM | Wow you're getting excellent advice from almost everyone.
My son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and ADHD at age 6. He has an excellent psychologist, who we see every other week. He was placed in a special ed class which is geared specifically towards kids with behavioral difficulties/AS/ADD/ADHD, and receives PT and OT twice a week at school.
He has the eccentricities common to AS kids - i.e. extreme sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights, textures (hey he can tell if I've used liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets when I do laundry!). He's also extremely intelligent - 1st grade and reading at upper 3rd grade level, math and spelling lower 3rd gradel level, almost obsessive interest in computers and weather. Preliminary IQ test scored him at 178.
YET - he's easily frustrated, which can quickly and often without notice, lead to what we call a "meltdown". We have bathroom issues (doesn't like to poop in the toilet), defiance issues, slowness issues, physical clumsiness issues and other issues.
I have found the website called O.A.S.I.S. to be a HUGE help! http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html
check it out when you have time, and good luck! | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 5/20/2007 7:16:00 PM | WOW OHIO! What a great combination of skills/weaknesses. I think that's outstanding! Something that you can really work with!
My son recently took a visual IQ test and he scored REALLY high! but.. HE IS MR! ..
however, he will have great abilities that an IQ test can not recognize..some kids with williams syndrome can not tie their shoes or count change, but can talk in many different languages and sing perfect pitch or be very musical.
I LOVE THAT ABOUT DISABILITES!! There are just so many cool peek type stuff that evens out the valleys. Good luck to you :) | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 5/20/2007 7:16:31 PM | Hello there....Well i'll tell you something,parents who deal with this are in my books the most specail parents there are.
I have a 9 yr old boy who has a very rare form of autism. it is called Neophibromitosis!! (i think thats the way it's spelled) and it took the Doctors 4 yrs to find out what it realy was and they still have no real idea how to treat it.
He started off like any normal child until we noticed the large gap in his learning,then by the age of 3 he still was not able to talk -walk-or pretty much anything a normal child should be doing at this point.
he finally started making noises at the age of 5 and it was only in one tone! kind like a train.He was in pull up until he was almost 7!!! trust me that was not easy.
it comes to a point(where you will one time see) that everything your child does will seem normal and in reality at the end of all the programs and specail teachers the child requires ,what ur child does will be the way you will see your life and all other act's around you will seem odd in some weird way.
the best i can say is do your best and try to stay sane.Ppl that do not deal with this will never truely know what you and I go through in everyday life and will judge everything you do........ignore and always focuse on how you can help your child because in the end of the day .....You are all your child really has
hope this even makes sense? Stay strong(life gets easier)
take care
Gerry | |
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| hey
Posted: 5/20/2007 11:10:22 PM | | well I will tell you what I know. I got custody of my neices child when he was 2 months old. I raised him. he is now going to be 4. he was so bright as a young child. at 7 months he was walking and talking clapping and playing.. well 12 months came and he suddenly stopped.. I got worried at 13 months he was diagnosed with sever autism by a specialist in albany. he got teacher or workers who came in my hom several times aday to help him. I let my x have joint custody of him and now with all the help he will make it through this and lead a normal life. ur son i now 3 I am sorry to tell you his autism is set now the only thing u can do is adapt.. I was told by his doc that after a child is three his brain is and will be set.. but there is alot out there.. help is there u jus have to research. until he get help I don't know if there is much u can do for ur child but try try try.. autistic chilren r hard cause until u can get the brain to stop firing all his brain cells it make it diffucult to learn and remember.. just keep pushing ur child and u have to keep on them everyday and all day.. u have a rough go for u dear but if u jus keep pushing and don't get frustrated remember it is not their fault they can't remember and hit but the hitting comes along with the disability and u will have to jus help him communicate better. so in turn u kepp ur chin up and if u wanna chat get ahold of me and we can talk more in private ok good luck to you ! | |
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| hey
Posted: 5/21/2007 12:23:20 PM | Despite being greatly displeased with the lack of funding for children over 6 years of age, and the effects of zero tolerance legislation once a child enters the school system - regardless of whether they are in special education classes or not - I do have one piece of positive advice:
Mimickry is the means by which autistic children learn to communicate verbally if at all. Although the same can be said of all children (few parents have escaped being caught off guard when a child repeats something they heard at home or elsewhere), mimickry is the primary form of communication for many, many years.
If you tell your seemingly old enough to know better child to "please be quiet" many will say "please be quiet" in the exact same tone of voice as you do. Their intention is to interact with you and NOT to, in effect, say "NO! YOU SHUT UP" although from the staring right through you look in their eyes it certainly does seem that way.
In fact, if they like you and the tone of voice you used or something else associated with the experience...the sun shining in the window, perhaps...they will continue to happily repeat "please shut up" in a sing-song voice for hours and hours.
Don't ''slap them out for it" verbally. Get creative and use it as a learning device. And don't let their inability to repeat actions properly (just taught them to do this or that and now they seem to have forgotten) fool you into believing they have no memory.
Many have memories going back to two or three years of age and were they able to could recite "and then he said" and "so then she said" in a way that would put a Valley Girl to shame. What they choose to remember verbatim all depends on whether it matters to THEM or not.
If they've already decided that it doesn't matter to them then they will tune it all out as background noise until something important happens.
Also allow sorting of objects into piles of same and different or other such activities. No matter how repetitive they are not going to 'develop' OCD. They have trouble sorting their own bodies out from the world around them. This external exercise allows them to start to observe physical boundaries, likenessess and such.
I told my grade three teacher I didn't have a body which stunned her since I was an A student. Combined with my other peculularities I was sent to a neurologist in due course. | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 5/21/2007 4:08:42 PM | | My eldest is autisic spectrum, (PDA) best advice is to seek advice from school/nursery or your doctor for them to put you in touch with the right people for support, i went to alot of parent class's 3 years ago now since she was diagnosed.... | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 5/22/2007 12:31:48 AM | I just wanted to say my brother has autism he is 19 now and has had it since he was young he use to bite his finger and bang his head but he has not done that for a long time now he don't talk only by sign language He is very smart tho and loves school I do know that they can go an extra 3 years to help them learn do do more on their own in Ohio Alot of people don't understand autism but to me it just makes that person more special because their love seems very strong my brother stands 6'7 and weighs 325 pounds wears a size 20 shoe he is a gentle giant to speak
Well just wanted to put my 2 cents in
here is a good site you can look at
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis_home | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 5/22/2007 11:58:50 AM |
WOW OHIO! What a great combination of skills/weaknesses. I think that's outstanding! Something that you can really work with!
My son recently took a visual IQ test and he scored REALLY high! but.. HE IS MR! ..
however, he will have great abilities that an IQ test can not recognize..some kids with williams syndrome can not tie their shoes or count change, but can talk in many different languages and sing perfect pitch or be very musical.
I LOVE THAT ABOUT DISABILITES!! There are just so many cool peek type stuff that evens out the valleys. Good luck to you :)
Good luck to you too rondata!
My son wears glasses already and can't tie his shoes yet - but he can recite the first half of the Declaration of Independence, lol!! He hates music because it hurts his ears, but can sing TV commercial jingles word for word. Go figure! These Austistic Spectrum disorder kids can be such a myriad of complexities and paradoxes - yet his smile and "I love you mommy"'s absolutely lift my heart straight to heaven, and I wouldn't trade him for a "normal" kid for all the gold in Ft. Knox.. He's my heart and soul! | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 6/18/2007 4:13:57 PM | hey there
Bloorview Kids Rehab is the best for children with disabilities any question you can call them for help support anything 416-425-6220
take care | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 9/1/2007 4:45:12 AM | I Don't have any children of my own who have Autism but I have a fiend who has a son of 16 who is on the higher spectrum of Autism. His mum was finding it harder and harder to look after him (5-1 care) and looked like the only option was to take him to respite care full time.
Now the reason I am posting on here is because of the last job I did.
I worked for a company which I can't name otherwise I would probably be banned and I don't want to as I love it here but I also know how great a product this is and how much it helped her and many others..
The main problem she was having is that he was a self harmer and use to head butt the walls till he knocked himself out, ripped his fingers open whilst clawing at the walls etc. The option she had was to have him virtually put in a straight jacket or pinned to a chair which was not great for her or for her child.
She contacted a friend who was an aircraft designer and got together to see if anything could be done to solve this.
Eventually they came up with a room inside a room. This room is flexible and doesn't come in contact with any hard surface like a book shelf, cupboard or the wall of the bedroom. You can hit the inside wall as hard as you like and you will not hurt yourself. It is made of pvc (the stuff you see on the side of trucks, it has windows which line up to the windows of your room, a door which lines up with your bedroom door so as soon as you open the bedroom door you step inside the inside room!
The doors and windows are zipable which means if you need to answer the door you can just zip them in, lock it if you need to (I have seen escape artists in my time) or just leave the zip at the top.
The roof is made of a mesh like material which is there for ventilation and all surfaces are wipe clean (for those who smear) and can have lights fitted (for those who like light visuals). They can be as visual or not depending on the child's needs (blackout is also covered).
They have been fitted in homes, respite care and schools.
Unlike padded rooms they do not effect the walls etc so you don't need to clear the walls of cupboards etc. As we use to say a window ceases to become a window if you have to pad it etc. This is great if you have to move as all you have to do is unbolt it and move it. No fitting to the walls and no mess.
It acts in the same way as a boxing ring.
The reason I have posted is to maybe help a few who are finding it hard to cope as I know how much it can help as I use to fit them into the rooms and have talked to many a parent after we had fitted them. Most of the people who we fitted them for said afterwards it was like Christmas everyday for them and there child.
I know this looks like spam or advertising but like I said I just want to help so if you would like any info please message me.
Thanks | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 9/1/2007 5:50:06 AM | | Don't feed them wheat or dairy products. That will help them stop acting like stoners. It worked for my brother. He pretty much understands everything I say, but chooses when he wants to do what I say (although that is almost the same with any kid ). | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 9/1/2007 7:31:12 AM | Are there any intervention programs near you? They have alot of fantatic coping & learning skills for children & parents both. | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 1/30/2008 5:04:47 AM | | have you contacted occupational therapy they can safety cheek your house . here is a tip for eye contact you may laugh but it works . i have 3 members in my fam=ily on the autistic spectrum my son was diagnosed at 3 . wat does your daughter like disney films . get a topic she loves my sons at 3 was nemo i got finding nemo stickers and stuc=k them on the bridge my nose . and on his as he thought it was fun . i spo=ke to him with this sticker on my nose for weeks . it got him used to looking at me . at that stage i was getting nothing from him within 3 weeks i was getting eye contact and hugs ok the hugs at that stage were to get the stikers but i was allowed to hold him were as b4 i was not .hes 6 now and has perfect eye contact . use wat they like to work with them . | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 1/30/2008 6:12:13 AM | hi there,
i see this thread was started in 2005, so you'll probably know a lot of stuff already from experience.. but i just wanted to encourage you that just because a child might not be doing things at the same speed as his counterparts, it doesn't mean that it'll continue that way..
my son was diagnosed with PDDNOS (in the autism spectrum) when he was three...he didn't talk until he was four (we used picture boards to encourage him and to take away the frustration so that he could relax and find the words in his own time)... he was finally toilet trained when he was seven (i got a "behavioural manager" worker to come in and help me figure out ways that would work with him - provided through the county of simcoe)
when he was first diagnosed he was a lot more "in his own world", he'd have melt downs easily and we'd have to do "deep brush" therapy to calm his over stimulated nerves... he is now considered high functioning - he reads very well, is very quick witted and smart and can communicate well (when he feels like it ;)) and has a wonderful sense of humour
keep plugging away and don't give up hope, there might be regressions at times and sometimes things might seem to reach a plateau, but things can still move forward even when least expected
there are also many funds available to provide respite and aid.. some you might want to consider are ACSD (assistance for children with severe disabilities), the CDB (child disability benefit - given alongside the Child Tax Benefit), Catulpa Tamarac...
the best of luck to you both | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 4/7/2008 6:46:29 PM | I work with children and adults who are autistic. Autistic people tend to be more visual than verbal. Using short sentences will help them to have less information to process, and will help them to be able to respond in a shorter amount of time. Sometimes the delay from what you ask them, until their brain has processed the request can be up to 10 minutes. At this point you have already moved on to another idea and topic, and they can't keep up with the massive amount of words and will attempt to detach themself from the situation or display non-social behavior (slapping, screaming, hitting themselves, running away, etc..). Try using a social story to show how you feel when the person is acting out, or to describe how you want something done. Pictures and less words is what I have heard works the best.
I recommend checking this site out..
http://www.autismoutreach.ca
I have read and listened to some of the videos on the site and have come out with a greater understanding of what helps these people communicate and how we can better understand and communicate with them. | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 4/7/2008 7:46:20 PM |
As a recent survey has discovered, 1 in every 166 births is on the autism scale;
That number has gone up to 1 in every 150 ... I have two of them. Both of my boys have Autism, and my youngest also has Sensory Processing Disorder.
Get in touch with your local school district and found out about their Special Needs programs. Call around and see if there are any Child Development Services type of agencies or services available. (Here in Maine, they handle kids up to age 5 so don't wait to contact them.) Get in touch with your state's Education Department and request a copy of the Education guidelines, especially those relating to children with Special Needs. Familiarize yourself with them, because when she starts school, whether it's public or private, there will be meetings to attend and basically, YOU are going to need to fight for her rights, and her right to a free and appropriate education. You may have to advocate for Speech Therapy, OT and any other assistance you can get for her. If you're not comfortable with doing stuff like that yourself, there ARE agencies out there that will advocate for Special Needs children (i.e. attend school meetings with you, advocate for special services, etc.). Because they are all pretty much privately owned, I have no idea what you would look in the phone book under, but maybe you have some sort of "Community Concepts" type of agency you can contact. Also, contact your local DHHS Agency and find out what you can get for her (I have no clue about your financial situation, but you may be able to get her covered under your state's medical program.)
As far as her running out the door, I use deadbolts on the outside doors, and on any inside door that I don't want them getting into something, I use a hook and eye. Do as much as you can to engage her, show her how to play appropriately with toys (they don't always "know" what to do with a doll, or a truck, let's say), talk to her a LOT, try to get her to make eye contact as much as possible, try to socialize her with other children her age, both children WITH Autism (if you know of any) and children who don't have it, etc. As far as the tags with her personal information, that's your prerogative entirely, but being anally retentive, I have a real fear of telling anyone and everyone who can get their hands on my kids what their name, address and phone number is, KWIM? I guess I just hear too much about kids being abducted. Put together an information file with her picture and "vitals" and make sure your local police department has a copy of it, and make sure you keep it updated, JUST IN CASE she does ever get away from you. "Time outs" don't always work with children with Autism, so you're going to have to play it by ear. When she slaps you (or anyone else), try holding her hands and looking her in the eyes and telling her "no" or "that's not nice" or whatever else.
Sorry, being informed and passing along information about Autism is near and dear to my heart, since both of my darlings have it. Feel free to contact me off-list if you'd like, and I'll do whatever I can to help you out.
As far as doing something for Autism Awareness, I have an online business and am giving 10% of all my sales in April to my local (state) Autism Society. (OH, and if your state has it's own Autism Society, JOIN IT!!)
Every child with Autism is different. People hear the word "Autism" and a lot of them automatically think "mental retardation", and that's not it at all. Children with Autism can be incredibly smart, some to the point of "genius", but like I tell everyone, they don't know how to appropriately communicate. Some are extreme extroverts, and others are just the opposite. (I happen to have one of each! Joy!! LOL)
Good luck, and do NOT give up!! Your daughter is a special child, don't ever forget that, and special children need strong and special parents, and you were "chosen" as a mother to your little girl for a reason!! | |
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| children w/ disabilities.
Posted: 4/7/2008 7:53:30 PM | Did you ever wonder how mothers of disabled children were chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation.
Oh crap ... you made me cry with that! But that's OK :-)
I don't know why my boys both have Autism, and I don't know why *I* was chosen as their mother, but I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I believe that they're destined for something "great" (no, I'm not saying they're geniuses ... just that there is a specific "purpose" to their being here on earth).
i see this thread was started in 2005
~~sigh~~ I didn't even notice when it was first started ... I saw "Autism" and jumped in with both feet!
~~note to self ... must check dates before responding!~~ | |
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| AUTISM..... Tell me anything!!!!!
Posted: 4/10/2008 10:15:28 PM | Hi Kingston girl
I have a 12 year old son who has autism and I manage an online support group. We have loads of information....way to much to put up here and our members all support each other and share ideas. If you or anyone else reading this thread are interested the web address is http://groups.msn.com/AUTISMFAMILIES
I hope to see you over there.
Rachel | |
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