How do I know if my son is autistic??? - Autism Spectrum Message Board

natthebug · 09-27-2004, 01:21 PM

I am curious what the signs are. He has always had behavior and eating problems. I doesn't eat any meat, or any other food kids normally eat, he has not since he was a baby, he is almost 7. He is in 2nd grade. He is a perfectionist in that if things aren't exactly how he wants he throws a hysterical fit. But on the other hand he is a completel slob with everyrthing, he writes messy eats messy his room is a mess, etc. He gets mad at stuff so easily. He is not behind developmentally when it comes to academics. He is behind in maturity a lot. He has problems in school because he will not stay seated, he always messes with other kids when they are trying to do their work and disrupts the class. He again at school throws ridiculous temper tantrums throwing himself on the floor screaming. The kids in the class just always ask whatsthe matter with him. His teacher told me he will probably always be like this, screaming at the drop of a hat, getting upset bacsue he can't do this or that, even though everyone knows he can. I am just curious if maybe that could be his problem. I do not know what to do with him accept love him. He is very loving most of the time, but then other times he just says he wants to be left alone and of course gets violent when his little brother (3) will not leave him alone. Does this sound familiar at all???? I am just at the end and do not know what to do. I do not want him to have horrible memories of his growing up life because he is sooo unhappy alll the time. Can anyone help me/give me advise/ or insight?????

ang64063 · 09-27-2004, 02:37 PM

The only way that you can truly diagnose Autism is by having a Psychatrist who knows about Autism or a Developmental and Behavioral Specialist test him.

One thing that you can do is contact the school's special education coordinator and the school counselor and see what services (if any) you can get him in to.

Don't get discouraged by what the teacher tells you. If I would have believed what teachers have told me, my son (who is 7) would not be in a regular classroom, able to read books and do homework.

Does he drink a lot of milk or eat a lot of things like bread, cheese or yogurt? If so, then you may want to consider eliminating them from his diet for a while and see if that changes anything.

Some other things I would check into is ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Hight Functioning Autism (HFA), Gluten and Casein Free Diet, Feingold Diet, Enzymes, increasing certain vitamins, weighted blankets and weighted vests.

Al & Matt's Mom · 09-27-2004, 03:00 PM

This sounds a lot like my nephew. He has sensory integration dysfunction. After working with an OT, he is doing really well. He rarely melts down and he is handling social situations better.

natthebug · 09-27-2004, 08:11 PM

SID ?? what is that?? and as far as the mil that is about all he eats. He wont eat anything else.

Redhead23 · 09-28-2004, 04:56 AM

SID = Sensory Integration Disorder (or Dysfunction)

It's quite common in autism but also occurs on its own or with ADHD and learning disabilities. (Presumably there's a genetic link)