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| FAQ's with Author
and Speaker, Karen Leigh Simmons |
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| Subject:
re; my son's proper diagnoses |
 Question
- Hi, This is my first time ever reading
about autism and connecting it to my son's
behavior. So far the medical community, school,
and myself are very perplexed as to what exactly
is going on. My son is 13 and since the 2nd
grade Ben was diagnosed with ADD but no medication
has helped. Here is an intro to Ben: he is
"in his own world" most of the time,
has 1 friend, wets his bed every night, drums
his fingers constantly, talks to himself (even
when people are around sometimes),very slow
moving, handwriting very difficult and messy
and most of the time only gets his name on
the paper (doesn't produce), he's very verbal,
uses big words, in University level reading
comprehension, but stays tuned into a teacher
for about 5 seconds then he's gone into his
head, very inflexible with change, gets locked
into certain thoughts and behavior......I'm
sorry this is so long, but does this sound
like possible autism to you? Thank you for
taking the time..Karen
Answer - What
would be best, Karen is to go to our site,
autismtoday.com under About Autism under
characteristics to see what you think. That
would help a great deal.
karen@autismtoday.com
ps you could also pick
up a copy of my book "Little Rainman"
and see if it fits.
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| Subject:
Is a psychiatrist a good start? |
| Question
- Hello, it is me again to ask you your
thoughts about my 8year old son that has Asperger.
Would going to a psychiatrist help him? I
am thinking if we could figure out why he
tics, or to at least make sure he doesn't
need to be on any meds. I feel he does not,
and neither does his teacher. But the tics
are getting worse. I'm so scared to trust
people I don't know to tell me about what
is good for my son and what is not. I would
like to hear from people who are going through
this with their kids. You know getting it
from the source and from experienced people
already dealing with this would make me feel
a little easier and knowledgeable about making
decisions. I don't mind his strange ways,
God knows I'm as strong as it gets. But the
tics worry me. He tells me he is fine and
doesn't want to talk to the docs and social
workers about it. But what am I supposed to
do? It is apparent to anyone who is around
my son that he is different and the tics can
leave people to think he is in pain or that
something is wrong. My whole deal is I don't
want it to effect his school work or his life.
But Asperger does effect it all. I tell him
I love you and you just do the best you can,
and that will always be good enough. But is
that thinking enough for a child let alone
an adult with AS? Thanks for all your info,
Toni
Answer - Yes,
I believe a psychiatrist would be a good
start. Be sure to find one who specializes
in autism and aspergers.
karen@autismtoday.com
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| Subject:
Could my child be autistic? |
Question
- Karen: Thanks so much for the response.
You were quite helpful...I liked that website.
Ray likes the alphabet and numbers and wants
to do activities that involve them a LOT during
the day. That was one symptom he has. You
asked what the teacher thought were problems
(symptoms) with Ray. She said that in group
singing time, he won't sing, but he looks
at the ceiling and around the room while the
other kids are singing...he is smiling, too...I
think he is just enjoying the music and too
shy to sing. Who knows. Also, when she gives
him something to do (cut out a shape like diamonds...he
is in preschool) and if she leaves him to
do it, he won't. BUT he will do it if she
sits there and tells him what to do. Also,
she is concerned that he's been going to preschool
for 5 months last year and 2 months this year
and he has yet to have a "best"
friend. He just comes and goes and doesn't
make a special friend. It's so hard to tell.
I am making an appt. with a local psychiatrist
to get him evaluated. Doctors now are so "label-happy"
with their use of ADD, ADHD, etc. all the
time, I am afraid someone will just label
him. Hope they know what they are doing.
From those symptoms the teacher mentioned,
do you feel there may be a problem? I write
it off as shyness or him not used to doing
activities like that on his own (cutting out
shapes)...he is not use to the structure of
school. OR I could be prejudicing myself because
I AM his mother. :-)
Hopefully we will soon find out.
Thanks,
Kristen
Answer - Hi
Kristen, From the outside in, those wouldn't
totally indicate autism from my perspective.
Ask yourself these questions taken from
our "About Autism" section of
the website:
You may know a child with autism…
Do they spin objects around and around?
Is their speech repetitive, like an echo?
Are they attracted to shows like Wheel of
Fortune or Jeopardy?
Do they like to watch the same movie over
and over again?
Are they fascinated with numbers and letters?
Do they seem unafraid of things that they
should be afraid of?
Is it hard for them to make eye contact?
Do they shun away from being touched?
Characteristics
The symptoms of autism and PDD are hard
to understand. These children seem to have
less control over their emotions, they perceive
in odd ways and their understanding seems
severely impaired compared to their concrete
skills. They seem to have special problems
in learning language and social skills.
You will find a child having difficulties
in most or all of these areas:
Language
All children communicate, but children with
autism or PDD have special problems. Some
never learn to use spoken language, while
others will only learn the basic language
specific to their needs. A child may mostly
repeat what he hears (echolalia). Others
develop advanced speech, but have problems
if affect, in their ability to express feelings
or ideas, or in knowing the right way or
time to say things.
Social
The actions of others are confusing to these
children and they may withdraw from social
interactions. Many have difficulty with
interactive play. They may have difficulty
picking up social clues so their actions
may not be appropriate for the situation.
Activities
With their difficulty understanding abstract
ideas, these children usually prefer and
learn best through the concrete. Some show
little imaginative play, some have imaginative
play, but it tends to follow set themes
or interests. Many prefer to repeat the
same activities over and over. The child
may even "withdraw into himself",
engaging in repetitive self-stimulation
such as rocking or rhythmic moving of the
hands.
These children often seek out the security
of routines, and can become very dependent
on them. They may avoid new experiences
or situations.
Perceptions
It appears both from the observations of
others and by first person accounts that
these children often experience perceptions
differently. Sights, sounds, textures that
we easily accept can cause anxiety and even
rage in a child. One child, for example,
said that red hurt his eyes. Another flew
into a rage when she felt the "prickle"
of wool. Yet other experiences that may
seem important to us may be completely ignored.
While at times they may seem hypersensitive,
at other times seeming to be extremely distractible,
yet at other times being overly focused
on an activity or on self-stimulation. They
may find human contact stressful at times,
or show an unusual focus in their sensory
experiences, such as an exaggerated interest
in smell, send flowers santa rosa flower delivery, or in rhythmic motion.
Emotion
All of the confusion experienced by the
child can make the world a frightful place.
Difficulties in understanding and articulating
their own emotions, or those of others,
may cause your child's response in some
situations to appear to be inappropriate.
Emotional outbursts are common and it may
be difficult for them to regain control.
Our response to these outbursts may increase
their confusion, frustration and anger.
These outbursts may result in a child trying
to hurt themselves or others.
You can also talk to your local Autism Society
about where you could have him checked.
Though labels are not a first choice, if
they are necessary the help immensely.
karen@autismtoday.com
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| Subject:
High functioning autism |
| Question
- My five year old son has been diagnosed
with high functioning autism. My question
about him is that is regression normal and
if so how much regression should I expect?
Answer - Regression
isn't the word I would use when referring
to high functioning autism. I would get
my hands on a few good Aseperger's books
and begin reading....reading....reading.
If I were you, I would also, depending on
where you are located, attend a conference
that Catherine Faherty is presenting and
you will learn a great deal. We are hosting
a conference in Canada next month and it
will be great for all the delegates.
Keep your mind open; look for the possibilities
and not the negatives. My son with HFA is
playing football this year.
karen@autismtoday.com
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| Subject:
discipline |
| Question
- My son will be 4 in Dec. 2001 and he
was just diagnosed PDD-NOS and Regulatory
Disorder in Sept. on this year. My question
is this he is very violent towards all of
the other family members especially his brothers.
I have asked the specialists involved in his
care (speech therapist , Rotary social worker,
health nurse, family doctor) every one tells
me to wait until he starts Occupational Therapy
before they want to help me find some form
of discipline that will help. I am so lost
I have tried literally everything from spanking
to holding therapy to taking away toys to
time-outs etc. and nothing works he just gets
more and more violent everyday. Please if
you have any suggestions on what I can do
to teach him that this is not right I would
greatly appreciate it.
Answer - Hi
Sharron, I am not familiar with Regulatory
Disorder but very aware of PDD-NOS. In my
opinion, it is better to intervene as soon
as possible with disciplinary measures.
I believe spanking only models violent behavior.
Kids do what is done to them and if they
are hit, they also hit. There a couple of
good books out there you could pick up to
get a jump start on the OT and everyone
else who doesn't actually live with this
child. A Treasure Chest of Behavioural Strategies
and Discipline that Works for Inclusive
Schools. Go to www.exceptionalresources.com
to find these titles.
The sooner you begin working towards appropriate
disciplinary action, the better as negative
techniques won't be as ingrained.
karen@autismtoday.com
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| Subject:
problems of a 3 year old |
Question
- Hello, I have a 3 year old son who is
autistic. Whenever he goes out of the house,
he looks very uncomfortable and there is a
blank expression on his face, he becomes stiff
and refuses to even turn his head. He dosent
smile or talk outside the house. Of late he
keeps his mouth slightly open with his face
muscles (especially near the mouth) very stiff.
Any amount of my trying to put his lips together
dosent help. He looks lifeless and passively
follows our instructions without any resistance.
It looks as if he wants to shut off from the
world around him. Is he frightened of the
outside world? But the moment he steps into
the house he becomes alright.
For the past 15 days he is speaking in whispers
(even within the house). He rarely speaks
or sings in his normal voice. The above two
aspects are worrying me a lot. Can I do something
to help him come out of this problem? Please
suggest.
Thanks and regards
Vasanthi
Answer - Hi
Vasanthi, Sounds like a sensory condition
to me, especially with your comment about
whispering. Perhaps he thinks he IS talking
in a normal tone! As you are probably aware,
most people with autism experience some
type of sensory stimulation issues such
as being either hypo or hyper sensitive
to stimulation. This can be through sight,
sound, touch, or taste. Maybe he is so overwhelmed
with all the sounds (this is common) of
the world and environment around him. Imagine
him being a little mini-superman. If he
could hear through all of the walls in all
the buildings around him, just imagine all
the overwhelming sounds he would hear in
between. You could try earplugs and see
how it goes.
Hope this helps.
check out www.exceptionalresources.com
for sensory integration resources.
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| Subject:
aspergers syndrome |
Question
- I have 3 children ages 4,3,&21mths.
my son aged 4 has aspergers syndrome. we are
only new to researching jamies problem, however
1 particular question that mainly my husband
is concerned about is the chance of probability
that our next child if born a boy, would likely
have this problem or similar. Your thoughts
on this would be appreciated.
Tracy
Answer - There
is concern that it is linked genetically
but the chances are very slim. There is
a Doctor (Dr. Peter Tsastmari) that is actually
doing a study pertaining to families that
have more than one child with autism who
would probably be a better candidate to
ask what the actual probability is. You
may be able to find him through a search
engine.
Hope this helps
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| Subject:
Is there any reason why he is screaming? |
Question
- I am a student at the University of Portsmouth
studying Ba(hons)Health and Social care /
Registered Nurse for Learning Disabilities
and Diploma in Social work. I have just finished
my Multiple Disability Placement and I am
now in the process of writting a case study.
The individual I worked with is severly autistic,
Epileptic, and is classed as having Challenging
behaviour. I am focusing on the intervention
he recieves and have come up across a problem.
This young man has started screaming for no
apparent reason. This behaviour started one
afternoon when out and he screamed constantly
for 90 minutes, when asked questions he did
not reply but once he had finished screaming
he answered all questins which ahd previously
been asked. Originally we thought this was
an attention seeking behaviour but he has
continued to do it whilst recieving alot of
attention on a one on one basis. He has a
phobia of dogs but none were around at the
time and no trigger causations could be found.
But he is still continually doing this when
asked he says he doesn't know why he did it,
but when asked if he is ok he replys he is
happy. We also thought this could be a form
of petit mal or maybe a build up towards a
serious fit, but this does not appear to be
the case. To try to offer him the interevntion
he needs and to help me write my case study
I was wondering if you could maybe suggest
anything, to why this behaviour is occuring.
Thank you
Victoria
Answer - I'll
give it my best shot, Victoria. Of course
why an individual that one has never met
screams is totally speculation, just as
a doctor (not that I am none) could not
accurately diagnose a patient that he didn't
see. I would say, however, through experience
with other autistic individuals that he
could easily be doing this for sensory stimulation.
Sensory issues seem to accompany autism
in both high and lower functioning individuals.
They are either hypo sensitive (not sensitive
enough)through one or a combination of their
senses or hyper sensitive (overly sensitive)
through senses. Some people bang their heads
on the wall it is believed for sensory input
and some will hear an airplane miles and
miles away. You might want to try ear muffs
and see what he does.
Hope these are some ideas for you. You can
also check out some of the sensory resources
such as Building Bridges Through Sensory
Integration at www.exceptionalresources.com
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| Subject:
aspergers syndrome |
Question
- I have a 17 year old son diagnosed with
aspergers syndrome. I definitely believe there
is a connection between the gut and this disorder.
I wanted to get your opinion about this, and
to find out what kind of alternative treatments
have seemed to work best for you children.
Thanks
Donna
Answer - Hi
Donna, I have also heard this from many
people and believe it to be true though
we are not following this right now. A good
book for this, however, is called Special
Diets for Special Kids and has sold tens
of thousands of copies worldwide. You can
find it at: www.exceptionalresources.com
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| Subject:
autism Question |
Hello. I have
a 2 1/2 year old nephew, Steven, who we suspect
is autistic. When I read the on-line checklist
for autism, he displays quite a few of the
"symptoms", especially an abnormal
obsession with objects and lack of interaction
with others (including his 4-year old brother).
The problem is it is exasperating to have
him around because he's all over the place,
getting into things. Steven doesn't learn
when we try to discipline him, and we all
feel guilty because we find ourselves getting
really angry with him. Sometimes I'm afraid
what I or others might do to Steven because
of ignorance. He hasn't been diagnosed because
my sister-in-law denies that there's anything
different (I refuse to say "wrong")
about Steven. My questions are: How do I convince
my sister-in-law to get Steven tested?; and
What do we do whenever he's around other than
yell and become angry?
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Connie
Answer
- Perfect question! I'll tell you a little
story. My sister in law and I have two children
the same age. When Anna told me that she
heard a show about autism when my son, Jonny
was 2 1/2 and that she thought "my
Jonny" might have autism, I sarcastically
replied "well, Julia acts strange too.
You should have her checked out!" In
my denial, little did I know the favour
she was doing for me and Jonny by calling
me to the test. She said, what can it hurt
to have him checked out, Karen. The doctor
could just say, "he's fine, not to
worry". If I hadn't gone, he would
have missed out on years of early intervention
and intensive support. If I hadn't gone,
we would be still struggling with the diagnosis
and strategies that work. If I hadn't gone,
well...........we certainly wouldn't be
anywhere near where we are today.
I would advise you to bite the bullet, don't
worry about how mad everyone will be with
your challenge of getting your sister in
law to check it out and get past her own
ego. Do it for the kid.
Good luck.
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