| Subject: AUTISTIC
TESTING |
 Question
- My child is going to be 3years old in
a month. He is just getting started in the
public school program for age 3-5. He is going
to be receiving theraphy in speech, special
ed, and occupational. He has not been tested
for autism yet, but is schedule to see a developmental
specialist soon to determine this. He repeats
words, but has no idea the meaning of what
he's saying, although there are some words
that he uses alot, and understands (more,
bye, nigh night, eat etc) He also has screaming
outburst for no reason, and his behaviour
is terrible. do you know of any books or exercises
that may help?
Nikki
- It sounds like you are certainly on
the right track. There are books that you
may want to purchase such as "Behavioral
Intervention for Young Children With Autism"
and "A Work In Progress" These
have proven to be very helpful. Also a best
seller "A Treasure Chest of Behavioral
Strategies" by Maria Wheeler and Beth
Fouse.
You can check out www.exceptionalresources.com
and www.autismtoday.com
A conference certainly would help you get
on track with intervention strategies so
when you get your diagnosis, ask about conferences
in your area. We are also launching a site
for conferences that you can check out www.autismconferences.com.
Best wishes.
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| Subject: Aspergers
|
Question - My
son who is now three years two months old
was diagnosed with mild autistic spectrum
disorder at 20 months. He had little speech
until ear tube placement after his second
birthday. His speech therapist did not think
autism was right. He saw a developmental pediatrician
who did not think autism was right but that
he was "at risk." After speech and
occupational therapy he went back to the developmental
MD who said he was highly unlikely to be autisitc
but now he is at risk for Aspergers. My son
now has average speech, has some difficulty
relating to his age group peers but loves
to be around other children. I feel like his
whole life had been under a microscope and
am not sure what is going on. Can you give
me some ideas on what to look for or expect
if these diagnoses are correct?
Thank you.
Jennifer
Answer - Certainly I will do my
best. It sounds like your little guy is
quite young and this diagnosis needs to
unfold with time. I would encourage you
to contact your local Autism Society and
ask which doctors they would recommend for
this diagnosis as it sounds like you are
not getting proper information. Aspergers
Syndrome IS a type of Autism. I know you
are getting frustrated by the "microscope"
approach but I assure you that careful and
close evaluation will certainly reap its
rewards in the longrun with a more accurate
diagnosis and intervention. Early intervention
is the best bet for the best outcome. Best
of luck!
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| Subject: autism treatments
|
Question - I'm
a highschool student writing a research paper
on autism treatments and medication and I'm
proving their effectiveness. The other side
of the argument that I must present is why
a person might argue against autism treatments.
So my question is: Why might a person be skeptical
about autism treatments?? What would the reasons
be (if any) that a person may not want to
consider using the treatments?
Lindsay
Answer - Hi Lindsay, I'm so glad
to hear about high school students learning
about autism. Whew, what a question. There
are so many different types of treatments
and so many responses to the use of them.
Medication is very contraversial as it can
be dangerous, as well as alter who the person
actually is. What happens when the medications
are removed from treatment, for instance?
For our particular case, dexedrine works
great for Jonny. I don't know how he would
cope without it. I wonder though what will
happen when he's older. Will he self medicate
all on his own? What if he builds up a tolerance
to it and it becomes uneffective? There
is also the issue of putting unnatural things
in their bodies. Light therapy could promote
seizures, and the list goes on and on. Also
the idea of changing the person with autism
may be uncomfortable especially for parents.
Hope this helps :)
|
| Subject: Lifestyle
of Autism |
Question - I
am researching autism for a class and the
prognosis of a person inflicted with this
disease. What type of lifestyle can a person
inflicted with autism expect to have? What
things will they and won't they be able to
do? Can they advance in school, hold a job,
etc. Thank You
Jason
Answer - Hi Jason, Autism is considered
a disorder rather than a disease. It's not
the the person with autism has defective
wiring, rather they are wired in different
patterns than most of the rest of us! You
are asking huge questions. A person with
autism may have to be taken care of for
the rest of their life.....or, they could
obtain their doctorate in some field and
speak worldwide! Visit: www.autismtoday.com
to read about Dr. Temple Grandin, a person
with autism who designs cattle ranches.
There is a lot of hope for people with proper
intervention and support. Hope this helps
:)
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| Subject: General Information
|
Question - I
am a senior in high school and for my english
class i have to write a pare and I chose to
write it on autism. I really don't have any
questions for you at this time but I was wondering
if you have any 1-800 #'s that I could call
for information on this subject. Also any
information you could offer would be helpful
in my quest for information. I thank you for
takeing time to help people understand this
sad disease. The town in which I, there is
a family with an autistic son and he is a
very special child.
John
Answer - Lots of writers out there,
eh? You could contact the ASA (Autism Society
of America) are you in the US? Their phone
number is 1-800-3AUTISM. Also check out
www.autismtoday.com www.exceptionalresources.com
and www.autismtoday.com
BTW......Autism is a disorder, not a disease.
It's not defective wiring, its just different
wiring. There are also a lot of gifts these
children and adults bring to our world.
|
| Subject: Parenting
an Autistic Child |
Question -
I am the parent of a severely autistic child
(well according to the school
system he attends he will be in a severely
autistic self-contained Kindergarden class).
How can I get my child to talk? I am sick
and tire of the doing the PEC's system I could
scream! (that's all his therapists are using;
saying it facilitates communication - ARGH!!!)
now my husband has ordered what is called
a "Cheap Talk" machine, were you
can record voices
in order for my child to get his requests.
My child has shown some indication he wants
to talk (I have a toy microphone in which
he will copy sounds/noises I make). He is
5-years-old and as well as practically having
no language it's hard to get him to focus,
he's hardly never looks at what he's doing,
I believe if he could focus more he could
do a lot better. I've read oodles of books
on autism, gone to support groups, changed
my son's diet, checked for mercury poisoning
and ah yes investigated everything there has
to offer on the internet. Please what more
can I do? I know he has the ability to do
more...
Julie
Answer - Hi Julie, I hear your frustration!
I know the PEC's system works for many so
be
patient. Just when you are ready to give
up he may start talking. Some things just
take time. Keep investigating anything an
everything you can but most importantly
KEEP YOUR FAITH. That is what will truly
pull you through. Even if he never talks,
appreciate his gifts where you find them.
Children with autism are true gifts and
teachers to us all!! Try contacting the
Option Institute. I truly believe in their
philosophy and teachings. go to www.option.org
Also check out our website:
www.autismtoday.com the latest and greatest
autism information on the
planet as it unfolds each and every day.
|
| Subject: behavioral
challenges |
Question - My
son has been diagnosed with Autism, we are
not sure of the specifics
yet. We have yet to determine what end of
the spectrum he is at. He is 4
with a beautiful heart, but we are having
a very difficult time with behavior modifications.
He is very violent and very aggressive physically.
Our other two children run in fear whenever
he is around and he has been very aggressive
with both his mother and I. We have looked
to support groups and medical staff to help
us, however, we have yet to find
anything that works. The aggression he exhibits
the most is biting, sometimes pinching, grabbing
at your face, and pulling hair. Pretty much
whatever is in reach. We've also tried restraint,
but that only seems to make matters worse.
It is draining both of us, we love our son
and there is nothing we wouldn't do for him.
We try our best to provide a safe,
loving, and nurturing environment for him,
but it does not seem to work. If you have
any suggestions on what we could do, please
help. Or even if you have a resource we haven't
tried yet. Thank you for your time.
Stacie
Answer - I sure can relate. Many
kids with autism have this difficulty as
they get
frustrated because they have a hard time
communicating their thoughts and
feelings.
You can certainly visit our website and
get "A Treasure Chest of Behavioral
Strategies" which is a real hands on
approach to behavioral management.
|
| Subject: trying to
find best city/state to move to with autistic
child |
Question -
My husband and I are wanting to relocate.
We are trying to find the best
city/state to move to with our autistic child.
We have heard that Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,
and New Jersey are the best. But, we were
wondering if Denver, Colorado has any good
programs. Also, we have been wondering what
cities are the best to move to in the states
listed above. If you have any insight on this
please contact me via email. Thanks for your
time.
Julie
Answer - Hi Tara, I would contact
the Option Institute which is located in
Massachusetts and
talk to them. They have an excellent program.
I don't know about
Colorado.
Good luck
Karen Simmons
www.autismtoday.com
|
| Subject: Speech |
Question - My
3 year old nephew was diagnosed with autism
a year ago although we as a
family knew there was something different
about DJ before the diagnosis. I wanted to
know if your autistic child can talk and if
so when did he/she talk? Also he only eats
2 or 3 different things...how did you introduce
other foods to your child? Any assistance
or advice would be greatly appreciated
Monique
Answer - Yes my son talked but some
children with autism don't. Just get him
into
speech therapy and do all you can with early
intervention for the best possible outcome.
Food, a different story. Keep trying to
introduce new things a little bit at a time
but don't force him to eat different foods.
Be sensitive to his moods and desires and
try to approach him with a new food idea
when he seems more receptive to it.
Good luck
Karen Simmons
www.autismtoday.com
|
| Subject: Having more
children |
Question - I
have a 2 year old little boy with mild autism.
His father is not around and I now have someone
new in my life. I would like to have more
children but he is hesitant. He thinks there
is no chance I will ever be able to have a
baby without autism. Is there anyway of knowing
what my chances are? Should I have more children?
Karen Titsworth
Answer - Yes I am asked this question
so many times and my answer is the following.
My
son's siblings are his blessing! Without
siblings a child with autism is lost! Thats
my honest opinion and what I truly believe.
Sibs force interaction regardless.
If you did have a second child with autism
then you would just need to deal with it
at the time. Lots of people do.
Good luck
Karen Simmons
www.autismtoday.com
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