| Ac.com |
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| #16 |
Annette, Are you aware of any social skills groups in your area which help teach social skills to the child with autism? They are difficult to come by in some areas. I know that Jed Baker has done some good work with promoting social skills in children with autism and he has several books out on the subject that are great. |
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| Joey |
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| #17 |
I have autism as well. Can so many autistic people in this discussion room do me a favor? Can each of them breifly state what type of career they achieve best in. I thought of doing computer programming. Well, i was always the "only" one with a unique behavior in many circumstances. I always spent hours obsessed with the "Michael Jackson interviews Oprah" tape of 1992 watching it and replaying it over for hours each day and jumping up and down in hopes of meeting him one day. I also used to watch the weather channel when everyone else would get together and get engaged in the nice lovely hockey and basketball sports. Even today, I still feel so odd. Everyone else appears to be doing just fine in a molecular biology laboratory, while I am always the last one to leave, with the most points docked for my ability to work independently, and in a secure manner. So i decided just to become a computer geek who has the will to learn a logical task but with time, and slowly. Nevertheless, I had above average IQ and occasionally exceptional ability in math compared to everyone else. E mail me...on what careers you are involved in and whether you are succeeding. |
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| julia |
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| #18 |
My 12 year old daughter has aspergers and there is alot of misunderstanding with this or high functioning autism, most everyone feels and has no trouble expressing to me that since my daughter is smart and has a high IQ that she can't possibly have any kind of "problems". They do point out differences and "things" she does that "normal" kids wouldn't do. She orally stims by putting ANYTHING in her mouth, I have been working on finding more socially acceptable way of getting relief for her as it is a coping mechanism for her(any suggestions would be greatly appreciated).I have been carrying straws with me and letting her chew on them but she destroys one quick. She also when stressed or bored; will walk in circles, that really seems to bother people. Her older brother (he is 10 yrs older) used to get annoyed when I first got a a diagnosis's and he would say there's nothing WRONG with her mom she is just weird. I finally got him to stop calling her weird as it started to upset her, he wasn't meaning it in a bad way he just thinks she is unique and she shouldn't have to change or conform to any ones expectations of what normal is. I love that about him and wish more people especially adults thought the same way. She was diagnosed late 8 years old, I just didn't see anything "wrong" to where she needed to be put on medication, specially taught etc... I would always say, well that is just Haley. She has always had an interest in mythology, fantasy, animals, etc. what is wrong with that??? I do however have to find positive outlets for her like Drama clubs, reading challenges, plays, chorus, she loves to read and write stories. I have went on way to long what I am basically saying is yes, my daughter is unique and I love every little quirk she may have, I think she is "normal" and the rest of the world could use more of her thoughts and "behaviors". Thanks for letting me vent even if none of this I wrote makes sense. Julia |
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| Toddi |
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| #19 |
I’m an associate editor at Businessweek magazine and have covered the issue of children with special needs. Two years ago, I covered the excessive costs of raising a child with special needs. I’m approaching the topic again, but from a slightly different angle and I’d love to chat with you about it. As a parent with a special needs child, I’ve found that one way to get more services for my child from the school district is to have a specific diagnosis. So rather than label him with a non verbal learning disorder, which doesn’t carry much weight with the committee on special education, I’ve been advised to label him with Aspergers—and viola, I get all kinds of services. I’ve spoken with several experts in the field who say this experience is not unique to me, but rather many parents who, like myself, want to get the most comprehensive services for their children. I’d love the opportunity to speak with other parents who have had similar experiences.Please email me if you're interested in speaking about your experience. |
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| Laurie |
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| #20 |
Hi! My 4 year old son, Connor was just diagnosed with high functioning autism. He is currently in a private pre-school and loving it. I have been working very hard with him and doing sensory exercises with him.
His IEP is in the next couple of weeks. I am so concerned with the decisions I am facing. As of right now I have been advised to put Connor in an intensive 35 to 40 hour a week program - in house or in center. I visited the school district's class and don't want to put him there. They don't seem to do any sensory, minimal gross motor skills, no rhythm and balance, and when watching the other children I think Connor would be at the top of his class...I want him to have children ahead of him he can look up to. So, that leads me toward in house.
Like I mentioned Connor loves pre-school, wants to go on days off. He has been through a divorce and a lot of change. I hate the idea of pulling him out. In the IEP I am going to request for Connor to be observed in pre-school and would like to do part time in house with aid in pre-school from the start. I have been told studies show doing intense home only for 2 to 3 months then going back into pre-school is showing better long term results. Any opinions? I just want Connor to have a bright future...no set backs or wrong turns. I really think I want him to have the 3 days a week in house and 2 with aid in pre-school. How do I get this accomplished in his IEP? Has anyone done this? I want to make the right move for Connor and could really use some input.... similar stories, laws, studies, anything that can help me make the best decision for Connor. Much Thanks!! |
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| Karisa Scott |
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| #21 |
Hey, This is in response to Connor's Mom. I hope you have not had your IEP for Connor yet but I will give you our story and subsequent advice. My son Sammy was diagnosed just before his 4th birthday. We immediately enrolled him in an intensive private school that specialized in ABA with one teacher for every student. After 6 months we were out of funding (it was 20K a year) and I hated the idea of putting him in some of the public school situations I observed. However, I visited all the preschool classes for kids with disabilities within our school district...there were about 5 different classes..and finally found an amazing teacher with high expectations for her students. Throughout this time we kept him in speech and music therapy and took him into every social situation our family went to, even though it seemed like torture to him.. (He screamed at birthday balloons, fireworks sparked tantrums, and large crowds sent him running). Also we had a lot of great families to set up playdates with so that Sam could model that "typical" behavior. Now he is 6 and going into first grade (general ed) and reading above grade level. I wouldn't say he is "cured" but he is enjoying life, making friends, and has much more confidence in himself. Of course, every kid is different but I would advise checking out all the classroom situations available to you through the public schools. Also, if you prefer part-time schooling, see if your developmental pediatrician or other medical professional could provide written suggestions to that effect. When developing our IEPs for Sammy it was very helpful to bring in as much paperwork backing our requests as possible. Good Luck, I hope this helps. |
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| ace |
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| #22 |
I'm 20 yrs old and highfuctioning autistic knwo one ever under stands why i would need help but I do I have learn somewhat how to conform to sotiety most ppl don't know i'm autistic at all my faimly and fiance see it clearly though bc although I can fit in it has a high streesulness to do it. Bc of this i have become very anti social bc if i don't act to fit in then i either get wierd looks or ppl distance themselfs quickly. Alot of ppl either think i'm just acting wierd if i act "myself" in public. Another thing is I can't maintian a job even though I have the intelecut to handel it I run into the problem where my stress level will get so high i will shut down. The world doesn't look at anything other the are ability to fit in not how "fiting in" effets us. Mabye this some sensitvity to this and not just our "wierd" actions would casue more autistic ppl to handel the world better. As for support groups i have yet to hear of one but it would be wonderful if there was one |
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| wanda |
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| #23 |
I have a question for parents of children with autism because my son is 10 months old and his symptoms have made us want to get him checked out. Some people say "its way too early to tell" so my question to you is when did you sense something was different? |
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| AC.com |
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| #24 |
There is a website called First signs which may give you some helpful information. |
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| lucia |
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| #25 |
I started noticing a problem with my son at 13 months old. He his all his development milestones prior to that and then seemed to all stop and go backwards. Unfortunately, after months of complaining, the first test was a hearing test. They found he only had 25% of his hearing which was the reason they believed for no speach or reseptive communication. They however never looked into his destructive tantrums, and other charachteristics. Since that time, preschools and other educators always looked at me that I had two heads. When he was 4 I finally asked for the special needs preschool to do an evaluation combined with input from my preschool and they came out with the diagnosis being that I could not handle my over active child. Then April before entering Kindergarten the preschool teacher shared that he is not ready for Kindergarten because of his social and educational delays. So I was so damn upset because of the stress and depression i went through because everyone has always told me I was crazy, my husband started believing it. Anyway so I finally was able to have Yale's child study center evaluation him to find out he was High Functioning Autism. Unfortunately again, I only was given a verbal diagnosis 2 weeks before he started kindergarten and it will take another 3 - 4 weeks to get the written evaluation. The schools or board of education will not do anything until they get that paperwork and then there is a 30 day waiting period before services will take place because they need to observe him first. basically at this point i am so damn frustrated i hope i have the strength to do what is necessary in the future. |
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| Jovanna |
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| #26 |
I have a daughter and a son and both have been diagnosed with high functioning autism. They are 7 and 8 now. At first only my daughter was diagnosed when she was 3. My son was 2 at the time and he was being seen for speech delay. He had his ears checked and he needed tubes. The doctors said he was hearing as if he was under water. That naturally threw everything off until he was 6. Everyone was thinking he just had speech delay. His autism is not as pronounced as his sisters was. I never noticed before then because I was never around many children that were my children’s age. The first sign was speech delay. I was told they should be speaking with more words and sentences. I had no idea about their shots (Both given in the same place and around the same time) could have had any influence. I questioned myself a lot. To have one child autistic, okay… but to have two? I was a young mother and alone most of the time, but I had much help and so many teachers and caseworkers maneuvering us here and there to find us a good fit. Almost every school seemed to be ready to deal with them and change things according to their individual needs. I have no doubt that they are in good hands emotionally here at home and at school. Academically I only worry a little. The MOST important thing I have learned being a parent of two highly functional autistic children is that it is a STATE OF MIND. They see things differently and most times better. There is no cure. This is the way my children ARE. They have wonderful minds. The only thing that makes me wish that they were "normal" is what other people think. If the entire world thought they were just great, no one would be looking for a cure or something to blame it on. I used to try to daydream that I had some magic that I could make them "normal". But OMG! Then who would they be? Not my beautiful children that I’ve come to know and love. They would be other people. Maybe trophy kids that I could show off. "Yep, Brianna won the spelling bee…Again. Every one applaud and compliment me! Didnt I produce a great kid!" No, This autism is who they are. They are not the same as other kids and they need to be taught differently and understood to the best of your ability. This child is not like any other and you can take it a couple of ways. One is to try to "cure" them and make them "normal" by sending them to countless therapists and working working working at keeping the "odd" behavior down. Or you can let them be who they are. The schoolteachers for special needs and the speech therapists know what’s up. They are there to help your child be understood and to express him or herself so that you might understand them. They are also there for giving out the knowledge that we are all taught in school, but at a pace that is right for your child. I personally dont care if my children are not great in math etc. I know that their social development and happiness is far more educating and important. I’ve stopped going to the sites looking for a cure or a way to make my kids normal. If there was a cure I dont know if I’d want it. Maybe it would make them into different people and I really love them the way they are. I do fear that one day they’ll think, " I hate myself, why cant I be normal like all the other girls and boys?" But I know that would be because of the way people might treat them. I can only hope that I’ve given them enough pride in who they are that they’ll believe I’m right when I tell them that they are wonderful, smart one of a kind, beautiful people. |
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| Melissa |
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| #27 |
Hi, I have an almost 4 year old son who just last week has been diagnosed HFA and I am wondering about ideas for disciplining behavior. He has a huge draw to lights and fans. Recently, just in the past few days he has begun unscrewing the light bulbs from lamps. He even got shocked once. I thought the shock would "cure" him of removing the bulbs, but he did it again almost instantly. How do I make him aware that this is not a good thing and that he could be hurt? I can't live in a house with no light bulbs!! Thanks |
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| AC.com |
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| #28 |
Have you tried Social Stories by Carol Gray? They have been very successful for some people with autism. If you go to Carol Gray's website or do a search for Carol Gray and social stories you can find out more information. You may also try a visual cue such as a stop sign to slow him down or make him think twice before touching the lightbulbs. http://www.usevisualstrategies.com has good info in visual supports. |
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| mich teo |
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| #29 |
I'm currently researching HFA (High Functioning Autism). My son is 6 yrs old and can not "stay on task". He's in Kindergarten, he's very bright (scores very high academically), compassionate/caring to others and has such a wonderful happy spirit. I've always known that he was little odd in some way. A bit immature, he does somewhat parallel play still. He's currently being evaluated by the school district and they tell me that he is only capable of staying on task roughly 50% of the time. A child this age should be able to score more like 85% or higher. It is very difficult to motivate him. Consequences don't seem to matter to him, (i.e. taking away privileges, time outs, lectures....) I've tried giving incentives, (i.e. earning stickers to accumulate to win a prize! one that he picks as his prize) Transition is very difficult for him. With all of this cumulative information, the specialists tell me that they are exploring the thought that he might have High Functioning Autism or ADD. Does anyone have any ideas or comments?
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| AC.com |
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| #30 |
It may be a good idea to read up on both HFA and ADD. What you may find is that some of the strategies you would use are similar. Of course once you have more information from the school system, you can really tailor the support you provide your son. Has anyone mentioned looking into information on sensory input? For some children , it helps to organize and calm them for learning. Also, color-coding school work folders, using visual supports and creating checklists could be a small help. |
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