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I have so many questions...I am a 25yr old mom and my youngest son (31/2) was just diagnosed with autism. He can't talk and has social delays, but is very affectionate towards just about everyone, except certain children. And he LOVES Thomas the Tank Engine! 1st question: Does that mean he has high functioning autism? 2nd: After describing my son does anyone know of a similar case in which the child grew up and what were the problems they had faced? 3rd: We just got a pet hamster named Maxx (w/ two x's) for the kids, and my autistic son likes to squeeze his head because he thinks it is funny. How can I get him to be nicer to the poor thing? 4th and hopefully final: We started potty training him, but it seems like he has regressed, which is the first time he ever has regressed at all, is there any advice? ↓
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| Name: mmbalot | Date: Jul 25th, 2005 9:36 PM |
| Hi. My three year old daughter has autism. She was just diagnosed a few weeks ago, but I became suspicious when she was one and a half when other kids her age were talking and developing at a much faster pace. At two she had a very limited vocabulary, but I continued to read to her everyday and name everything that I was doing and what she was doing. In addition, any attempt at speech that she made was rewarded...the slightest consonant or vowel sound or even prolonged eye contact. I would cheer dramatically for her and tell her how smart she was (still do), I would offer "big hugs" and kisses. In other words, I offer the most obscene amount of positive reinforcement that you could imagine. In addition she is going to speech therapy and OT, but I am not sending her to school. I am going to homeschool her myself and try to keep her around other kids in the family and at church on a regular basis. We have the same potty training issues, but I hear that lots of kids regress, even those without autism, so we are pretty much goingt o start over with that. In general we try to treat her just like a kid...we discipline her and play with her. It is extremely exhausting, but I know that it will pay off in the end. Even if she never catched up to other kids her age, that's okay. God had a place and a plan for her life. I am just going to play the role that he had given me in her life, and I know that he will take care of the rest. Like I said, it is very hard, but I have to keep reminding myself that she is tha child and I am the parent. I do what I think is best for her and ask God to do the rest. If I make the wromg parenting decision, such as disciplining her or doing things for her out of frustration instead of letting her do it herself, I learn from it and try to do it differently next time. Don't worry, you have his best interest at heart. You are going to do a fine job parenting him. As for whether he has high functoning autism, I personally don't know. There are lots of resources online, or you can ask your speech therapist or a child psychologist. I hope this helps. ↑ |
| Name: AMANDA STRINGER | Date: Jul 25th, 2005 10:51 PM |
| hi im 26 and my son is also 3 he was diagnosed a year ago and my god what an emotional roller coaster its been i find it difficult to took about it with other people im hoping this chat room will make me become a more posittive person for myself and my son so i can do the best he deserves my son has no speech at all he goes to an assesment nursary where hes starting pecs this form of communication is comming on but its difficult sometimes were also having problems potty training so its nice to hear im not alone in this . jak is the most loving little boy thankfully we get lots of loves and kisses and when he looks at me with those big blue eyes i feel blessed as a year ago we didnt even have eye contact neither did he respond to his name so you can see alots happenend in ayear and im determined to ramain hopeful for my little boy x x x ↑ |
| Name: Stefanie | Date: Sep 1st, 2005 7:39 PM |
| Hello. I hope this finds everyone in good spirits. My son is 2 and a half and when he was about a year and a half he would drag us to the bathroom and go potty for us about 90% of the time. He did this on his own! Well, when we took him he started to get into anything and everything and quit going in to go potty and just wanted to play so we told him "no" everytime he wanted to go and now that he is older I cant get him to gain any interest in the potty. I let him run around in cloth undies but he does'nt seem to aknowledge when he goes. Here lately he has been telling me after he goes but not before. He has PDD. He has a vocabulary of about 15-20 words. But his vocabulary is much like a baby around a one year old or so.I would love to hear from anyone who wants to share info. or stories. I feel so alone in this. My hubby does'nt understand and tells me that I'm silly for worrying so much. [email protected] ↑ |
| Name: Amy | Date: Nov 1st, 2005 2:39 PM |
I also have a 3 year old son with autism who is nonverbal, very lovey, and not potty trained. I wish I had more answers for you -- I am looking for answers myself -- but e-mail me anytime you like and we can exchange ideas -- [email protected]
Amy ↑ |
| Name: Stephanie | Date: Dec 8th, 2005 4:18 AM |
Hi . i also have a 3 1/2 yr old son with autism, he was diagnosed at 2 yrs and was put into an early intervention program where he was getting ST, and OT i didnt see any progress with that. but when he turned 3 the program transitioned him with the school board, into a a program called PLACE.he is attending a regular elementary school with a class for autistic kids, there is now 6 kids in his class(4 when he first started) there is a teacher and two assistants. I believe this program is helping him a great deal he has no speech whatsoever but he is vocalizing a lot more and imitating sounds that we make and he understands so much more than he used to. he is a very loving, kisses and hugs all the time.
he does have a problem with transition but not as bad as it was before . the PLACE programs regularly has meetings on various issues and it has been helpful . It does get a bit frustrating at times when he gets upset because he cant communicate his needs and he screams and throws things and hits and pushes whoever and whatever is in his way, including his one year old brother. luckly this does not occur as often as before and i think because hes maturing there is a big change in him. As far as potty training i havent got a clue but i have decided to try and see if i could get him into a routine by putting him on the potty 1 hour after he eats and 1/2 hour after he drinks to see what happens. But just stick with trying to potty train the more you do and get into a routine the easier it will become ↑ |
| Name: A. Atkinson | Date: Dec 30th, 2005 1:36 AM |
| I am the mother of a three year old boy who was jst given the spectrum diagnosis. He is a healthy and happy little boy. When I start to get down about the fact that he is behind, he doesn't talk, and he is still not potty trained I hold on to the fact that he is the happiest child I have ever known. We must be doing something right. I am going to have another baby in March and we are concerned with how my son will handle it. He is hposensitive and has a really high tolerance for pain so He tends to be very rouhg. (The hamster thing sounds very familiar). Let me know if anyone has any ideas on how to deal with the new baby. Thank you! ↑ |
| Name: BM | Date: Jan 6th, 2006 11:16 PM |
| I am a 21 year old mom. I also have a 31/2 son who is also diagnosed with autism and ADHD. His favorite toy is Thomas the Tank Engine too. He loves any kind of toys with wheels on them such as Bob the builder or Jay Jay the Jet plane. We are still having a hard time potty training him because he just doesn't understand. He is also fascinated with shows with music in them. He moves his hands in front of his face alot and stares alot. He doesn't talk really it is like he is in his own world. ↑ |
| Name: Melinda | Date: Jun 1st, 2006 9:20 AM |
| The only advice I can give you is that you should give him what he loves (Thomas the Train). I would just limit any interaction with the hampster at all possible. Right now your son has so many obstacles to overcome. Choose your battles wisely. If the hampster thing is an issue, get rid of it. Potty training. Depending on his situation, and what obstacles he is facing, you might want to delay trying to train him. It may sound crazy, but to who? Society? Right now I don't think your son cares what society thinks. You shouldn't either. Day to day. Pick your battles. ↑ |
| Name: tiffany | Date: Jun 5th, 2006 6:22 PM |
| i'm just starting out too. my son is 3 and he has autism. every problem you i am going thriugh. i am recieving alot of therphy through the state. please contact me at [email protected] ↑ |
| Name: sarah | Date: Jun 6th, 2006 2:41 PM |
| Sorry to laugh about the hamster, but my 5 yo did the same thing to a kitten that we got when we were trying to prepare him for the birth of his sister. he used to hold the kitten down on the floor and try to bite it, laughing insanely as he did it. Needless to say, he won and we had to get rid of the cat. ↑ |
| Name: jody | Date: Jun 7th, 2006 4:13 AM |
| hi my 6 year old hasnt been diagonosed yet but she does alot of things that are strange she has ritchuals like she has to have certain foods every day .she will not try anything new she also loves to watch the same movie over and over again.she is also not potty trained i put underwear on her and she pees on the floor she says she trys to go,i dont think she understands when she needs to go.she also gets mad real easy and she yells in your face,sometimes she will just start to laugh for no reasonin your face.nobody believes thers a problem it is causing me marriage problems because my husband is in denial that thers anything wrong i cry all the time i have 4 other children i have never seen thisn kind of behavior any advice would be great. ↑ |
| Name: jody | Date: Jun 7th, 2006 4:15 AM |
| oh she also gets very mad at the family dog when she walks in front of her she just starts yelling get out of my way. ↑ |
| Name: C Veres | Date: Jun 20th, 2006 9:04 PM |
| I have a nearly three-year-old son who was diagnosed with severe/low functioning autism at 18 months old. The meltdowns have been so extreme lately and little brother gets the rough end of it. i have been looking for an online parent chat group and haven't had any luck. any suggestions? ↑ |
| Name: mom of nate | Date: Jun 22nd, 2006 4:05 AM |
| My son Nathan 4 has not been diagnosed yet,but he has alot of the same issues.For some reason autistic kids a THomas kinda go hand & hand , I have no idea why but theres a whole site about it.!?Nathan got potty trained at about 31/2 I tried for about 6 months and gave up and then on x-mas vacation he got it in 2 days!!!on his own.He'll get it when he's ready and only when HE is ready,just cross your fingers and follow him. ↑ |
| Name: tina betts | Date: Jul 2nd, 2006 8:22 PM |
| hi my name is tina my son jack has mild autisum and at your sons age he did not talk and was not potty traind it was a nightmere jack also had a hampster and he kept on trying to kill it so we had to give it away jack is now7 and has just started talking he nealy has full speech his speehh theraoitst says jack speech is at a 3 year old age but that does not matter because i thought jack would never speak he just used to sit there and grunt and point now he can talk he goes to a special school because jack has develamental delay to i cry alot over jack and his problems i mean he is 7 and he still cant dress him self and his social skills are bad and he flaps his arms but so what they are happy kids they still smile take care your son will amaze you doing something when you least expect it it happend to me love tina betts ↑ |
| Name: Liz Roti | Date: Jul 6th, 2006 10:02 PM |
Hamster~ have you tried preacticing with a stuffed animal.
Talking ~ start documenting what you think he will work for to say a word. like if he wants to watch thomas the tank engine he will need to say 1 word in order to get to watch it.
at first accept a verbal response or any kind. make it clear to him that if he speaks he gets what he wants.
good luck
liz ↑ |
| Name: Rose | Date: Jul 7th, 2006 5:00 PM |
| I am happy my son is autistic! He is the most wonderful cheerful and intelligent child. Yes it is very difficult at times but I know he will overcome many of his problems. Potty training, is one of course. He is 3.5 years old and not very interested. Having a routine is a good idea though even if he doesn't respond right away... He will eventually. Do some research on the internet...there are lots of autistic geniuses ...Einstein and Issaic Newton and many other famous people.... They learn differently, they tend to concentrate more on what they are interested in...My son has been reading since he was 2 and that has helped a lot with teaching him to talk. Get some Learn to read videos for children, Baby bumblebee has a great set of videos. My son memorized these. He loves them so much! Leap frog taught him phonics. He doesn't converse a lot yet but he does know a lot of words. Also take advantage of any state program that you can and get him/her into early intervention programs as soon as possible. I'll have to try thomas the tank....he does love shapes especially circles and any kind of wheels. ↑ |
| Name: jacksmom | Date: Jan 28th, 2007 5:06 AM |
Jack's story....
After the 12 mos. vaccines my son gradually slipped into autism. He was head-banging, hand-flapping, twirling, lost speech, lost eye contact and he just withdrew.
Now two years later.... no head-banging, no twirling, no flapping, has eye contact and is starting to verbalize again. And... he has Down Syndrome to boot. :) Yes... even kids with DS get autism. Actually they get it at a higher rate.
What helped him? First I give God praise.... our son wouldn't be here without Him and we prayed and I believe He guided us. Second... supplements. Especially cod liver oil. I recommend Green Pastures CLO with the X factor. Check out Dr. Mary Megson's work on the web. http://www.diet-studies.com/megson.html Our Jack healed gradually... but he is healing. I actually had to make myself GET USED TO him not twirling everything any more!
Also check out Dr. Amy Yasko's work. www.holistichealth.com
We give Jack alot of supps - cod liver oil, probiotic, magnesium citrate, tart cherry and recently we added cilantro. He takes some other things too but each child is unique. It helps to find a good naturopathic MD or chiropractor. Don't use supps until you research things for yourself. Cilantro for example...should possibly not be used until some other detox has been done.
Don't give up. There is hope! And... I will be frank here.... many mainstream doctors know squat about how to heal autism. Don't let that throw you. There are people who do know how to help. God bless you! Love, Jack's Mom :) [email protected] ↑ |
| Name: BriansMOM | Date: Feb 11th, 2007 11:25 PM |
| My son is the same way when it comes to affection. I often worry that he is affectionate to a fault... But it is mainly with adults and there are the occasional kid usually a girlfriend's child (someone he is familiar with) . My son LOVES ELMO....My son regressed briefly with potty training (he won't go pooh in the pot) in the beginning i just kept encourgaing him and putting him on the pot and he jumped right back in. No falls backs so far and it has been 5 months and he is 3 yrs old. ↑ |
| Name: mtene5 | Date: Mar 23rd, 2007 11:16 PM |
| My 3 and a half year old sounds similiar to you son. He actually killed a baby bird that fell out of its nest in my backyard. We were rescueing tohe bird but travis was in love with him and playfully broke its neck. He also has a lot of trouble playing with our cat and dog because he is too rough. I don't think he understands what he is doing. I would not consider him high functioning if he cannot talk at three and half but the fact that he has good emotional skills is a plus. ↑ |
| Name: drea | Date: Jun 7th, 2007 4:45 PM |
| Yesturday I google "Autisum" and after cliking in a few sites I came across this entry about your son, I was shock to read about your son because it sounded just like my 3 1/2 son with the tomas the train and how affectionate he is , I tried to reply to yor but after I registered I lost your entry I have been looking for it since, affter 2 days of looking and reading all the other mothers I'm glad I finally found you again. I realy do not have much advice for you because my son was diagnosed just last may but I wanted to talk to you because I felt that you were discribing my son when you were talking about your boy. maybe you can answere some of my questions this is my email address ( [email protected]) Andrea ↑ |
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