Nalaycy07
08-27-2002, 11:10 PM
When I was told about my 34 month old son's condition I let my emotions get the best of me I was so worried about him I totally blamed myself because I only thought he had a speech problem and some drooling but never would I have thought about him having Autism I never even heard of this before I took him to his ped and he said he saw some Autsim in him he told me to make an appointment to see a specialist in Autism but that just by watching him he could tell is mild. We are waiting on my baby boy's apointment now but in the mean time I'm trying to learn as much as I can about this so that we can help him. My husband is so hurt by this all he does is spend as much time with our son as he can he caters to his every need and I get upset because he has taken this so bad and I'm afraid he might get too overwhelmed. We have other kids I have two boys 14 & 13 and he has a 15 yr old girl and a 11 year old son and together we both have a 9 month baby girl and our Boo-Boo who is 34 months with Autism in total we have six kids. He spends all his time with Boo-Boo and very limited time with the rest he might spend a little extra time with our baby girl but all his devoted attention goes to Boo-Boo. The doctor said that it might just be a mild case of Autism but I'm worried this might get worst. He say's his numbers not so clear but he does say them and reconizes them and he does the hand clapping and when he runs he tends to put his eyes to the side and look to the side he tip toes but then again he shows alot of affection towards us especailly Dad he is very close to his dad and it seems that everything he does is to please his dad, he understand when you tell him no or give to me, and if the baby cries he put her pacifier in her mouth he my play alittle with her, he plays with the dog now before he didn't pay attention to the dog now he plays with his brothers & sisters and the dog. I just want to know how does this Autism work with the brain does it get better or worst and what can we do to help our son. Sorry I feel like I'm writing forever I just needed to get this off my chest and hope that somebody reads this and can give me and my family some advice. Thanks!!! Nalaycy11
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Nicksmom
08-27-2002, 11:48 PM
Go to your school district or call and ask to talk to the special ed department. Your son needs early intervention. They can provide services such as behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy free of charge. You may want to get into vitamin therapy too. When my son was 3 and first diagnosed, I gave him b-6 (100mg), DMG, and magnisium. At the time, he could only say 10 words, within 3 months of vitamin therapy, he was up to 200. He's now 6 and talks in complete sentences. No one can say for sure on how your son will turn out...so people improve so much as adults, that you can not tell they are autistic. Another thing is that you may want to go on the gf/cf diet. Gluten found in wheat and casins found in milk are horrible on an autistic child, because most of them have leaky gut. I know this is all overwhelming and truthfully, it still is for me and it's been 2 1/2 years since my sons diagnosis. But anyway, I wish you luck and I hope this helps a bit.
MeganPa
08-28-2002, 04:54 PM
I highly recommend that you seek out your local early intervention program. They will get you the help that you need. I found out my son was mildly autistic just before his third birthday. It was devastating only my husband was in denial at first.
My son goes to an occupational therapist 2x a week for a 1/2 hour and the same for speech. He is also involved in a special preschool prgram. Work as quickliy as you can to get him to these therapies. It has helped my son a great deal! Each child is different but after just a month of school we noticed changes in him. As you read all of these messages you will find that all our children sound like the same kid. Some mothers choose different methods for dealing with the autism. All I can tell you is to take it one day at a time. Look in to each suggestion such as the special diets(which I'm looking into now) the vitamins and meds. not everything works for every kid. Its very hard.
My son like yours is very affectionare twords family. He especially loves his sister, shes 41/2 months. He too finds her binki when she cries and is always kissing her. He has to check on her if she is upstairs sleeping instead of with us. You have to think of the possitves to get you through the hard times, atleast your son is loving some don't know how to show it. You'll find alot of great advice on this site. Good Luck!!!
Megan) :)
My son goes to an occupational therapist 2x a week for a 1/2 hour and the same for speech. He is also involved in a special preschool prgram. Work as quickliy as you can to get him to these therapies. It has helped my son a great deal! Each child is different but after just a month of school we noticed changes in him. As you read all of these messages you will find that all our children sound like the same kid. Some mothers choose different methods for dealing with the autism. All I can tell you is to take it one day at a time. Look in to each suggestion such as the special diets(which I'm looking into now) the vitamins and meds. not everything works for every kid. Its very hard.
My son like yours is very affectionare twords family. He especially loves his sister, shes 41/2 months. He too finds her binki when she cries and is always kissing her. He has to check on her if she is upstairs sleeping instead of with us. You have to think of the possitves to get you through the hard times, atleast your son is loving some don't know how to show it. You'll find alot of great advice on this site. Good Luck!!!
Megan) :)
acbuchan
08-30-2002, 10:45 AM
Hi I think the people above have said most of what you need to know. But I can add that I have two autistic boys, 4 & 2.5 yrs old, and mine also show affection. No one knows how a child will turn out, autistic or otherwise, all you can do is carry on with life and wait and see. I know that is easier said than done (I'm doing that daily too!). But there is a lot of hope, esspecially if you get help now, or even just start researching different teaching methods, decide what is right for you and even start the teaching yourself, thatis what I do, just when ever you get the chance to expand thier knowledge, no matter how simple then try to. Even while you are out walking with them, you can describe the colours and the way the trees move and how you feel about it all. This works wonders, you may not see the results immediately but it does happen. My youngest was only diagnosed a month ago, but because I already have one autistic it wasnt really a big deal to me. My brother is aspergers, and he is the most wonderful caring human being I know, so I look at him and just hope that my children turn out like him. Dont be afraid though, autism is not easy I will admit that, and there are always new issues to deal with every day (my boys currently attack each other and the baby (given the chance) about every five minutes, they constantly have bite marks, bleeding heads, bruises, cuts, etc from bashing each other, but life goes on, you do the best that you can). So all in all, talk to people lots, that helped me, and read ;lots! Remember that most autistics especially mild ones, turn out to be beautiful loving people, so long as they are steered toward the right path. Take care, and good luck. (oh and one thing you will need a lot of is patience!!!!) :)
allimac
10-15-2002, 04:09 PM
....try not to worry so.....there are so many things for your son and now that you have a lable you can get him the services he needs ....when my son was dignosed they gave us ADHD he was 3... then at 8 we got PDD (high functioning Autism) now at 16 he my be Asbergers...? quess what at such a young age things can change and they ALWAYS do ....
i hope this was hepful Allimac
i hope this was hepful Allimac
gay_sapp
10-17-2002, 05:02 PM
THE ONE THING I WILL ADD IS AUSTIC CHILDREN FORM A PATTERN VERY QUICKLY SO BE CAREFUL AS TO WHAT YOU LET THEM GET AWAY WITH MY 9YEAR OLD STILL SLEEPS WITH ME . GOOD LUCK
firstdonoharm2
10-18-2002, 09:20 PM
You mentioned that your son uses his peripheral vision when he runs...this is worth noting as Dr. Mary Megson, a developmental pediatrician from Virginia, has hypothesized that some children diagnosed with autism/PDD actually may have a "G-alpha protein defect" and those who have this use their peripheral vision to "see" what's in front of them. It would be worth your time and effort to look into this as she is having success in helping some of her ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) patients. Her research hypothesis can be found at the Autism Research Institute's web site as well as additional info at her website. It basically addresses a retinol signaling system blockage in cell communication. Hope this helps - there is so much information to read through on treatments for autism.
Mikicada
10-28-2002, 08:50 PM
Greetings to all, As previous responses have said, Early Intervention is key, look into the GF/CF diets. Even Mercury poisioning through the MMR vaccination..all this is good advise and can ( and will ) drive you crazy. My son is now 12 with a Diagnosis of Autistic disorder, severe mental retardation and Adjustment disorder with mixed disturbances of Emotion and conduct...whew. So in laymans terms, Hes a special angel. Now I can go on about all the behavior problems, lack of speech, yadda yadda yadda. You will learn all of that soon enough ( like I said it'll drive you crazy) My advise to you is for emotional and keeping your family together. Truly take this to heart..get in contact with your Developmental disabilities department, get your son in their system for respite care. Respite will be a God send to you and your family. A quiet night out at the movies, a romantic dinner out. A afternnon at a amusement park with your other kids. And the security to know your baby is home with a qualify care giver. I know its still early in the game for you. But dont wait, When my son was diagnois I put all my energy into finding help for the behavioral issues, and as a young child I could handle these issues and my son by myself ( I am a single Mom, HUsband left because he couldnt handle this and hasnt seen his son in almost 9 years) as I was saying I could do this by meself with help from my family. Tantrums in the all...no big deal, throwing food across Mcdonalds, not a problem I could do this. Well Little kids grow and grow, and my son now weighs 145 lbs and is 5'4" wears a size 9 (mans) shoe and a size 40 ( mans ) underwear , and remeber hes only 11 ( he'll be 12 next month). Now I come to the realzation that I need help, I called up my Department of Disabilities and guess what????... Theres a waiting list for this funding to get Respite, appx..5 - 7 years...so that will make my son 17-19 years old before I can get respite care...by then I am hoping Ken will be in a nice group facility ( thats another story) I am fighting this waitlist, driving my case worker crazy with calls, but if I need to raise a little h*ll to get a break, so be it. So this is my advise to you and your family, besides learning about this disorder and how to treat it, Dont forget about the man you love, your other kids and your mentality..take time for you..Please. Feel free to email me, Im always looking for a new friend to share feelings with.
amysdad
11-20-2002, 04:46 AM
Hi, I agree that early intervention is a key to breaking down the walls of autism. My daughter went to a special ed pre-school when she was three. When she went on the first day, there was"nothing there". She is now in second grade, in the main school district and is improving at a remarkable pace. Get your son in front of the right people,with a strong one on one program. Most of all love your child for who they are,and celebrate every victory, because they will come. God Bless you!!!