I was just wondering around what age did you really start to see changes in your child with their autism. Where they started talking to you, and actually understand you when you talk to them. The other thing is my son is 7 yrs. old, and he's still not potty trained. It's like it doesn't even bother him what so ever. That to me means he's not ready. And every single time I try to practice with him. No matter how many rewards, or different nothings working. It would be one thing if he could change his own pull ups. But I'm the one who has to do it. Which makes outings difficult. And that's why this is so depressing, because even when we try it seems like he can never enjoy himself. Or he makes things extremely difficult. So we don't really do anything, but stay at home. It's a very depressing life. That's why I was wondering about what age do you start to see improvement. Where you can understand them and they can understand you.
One suggestion to make about the toilet training is to check out occupational therapy services for your son to work on this. I believe you said you have wrap around services and this is probably included. I have heard of O.T.'s working with children to accomplishe the goal of toilet training. Also, is your son working with a speech therapist intensively to help language comprehension and expression. All of these therapies can eventually come together for you to see progress in his comprehension and follow through with skills.
Dom already gets all of those services. That's why it's so frustrating. I want to have high hopes, but it's so hard. But yes he has all of that. But when I work with him at home that's what's the hardest. He's really fighting me on it. That's why I want to know how I can get him to work with me. Because I try all of their ways and it's not working. Picture pecs nope, rewards nope. Nothing seems to be working. He'll do it for them. But not for me. I just feel like it's so damn hard. And extremely mentally tolling. A lot of the time I feel like I want to bash my head against the wall. That's why I was wondering around what age to they really understand them, and they understand you.
I think it vary's. It depends on the child, because not one autistic child will be the excat same as the other. they can share the same characteristics and still be different from each other. They have really strong areas and then weak areas that they seem not to ever understand. Over the years I have seen many autistic children. Some have been non verbal, some could talk. Then their are a few that will take off and run away. It is very interesting to see the different behaviors a child can have frome one to anther. AND still have autism.
I strongly would like to suggest contacting your local regional center for services. It sounds like you could use Respite care. They also provide services for behavioral issues, and come to your home and work with your child one on one. It is very helpful.
mscat's suggestion is very good about contacting your local regional center or local office of developmental disabilities to inquire about getting these services for behavioral issues right in your home. many if not most children respond differently in school than they do with a parent so having some work with you and your child at home would be a good step.
