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Hello, I am a single mother of a 34 months boy, and I believe he has autism. At first I was concern with his speech delay but was always comforted by friends that some boys just start later. I started enrolling him in early childhood private school and noticing that he does not play with other kids. I was becoming increasingly aware that my son does not look at me in the eye or mouth when I'm holding an object up to my mouth in effort for him to look at my mouth to aid in his speech learning. He is almost 3 years old and can only speak 10 words. I was so worried that when I started to research online for speech delay problems, I ran across autism. The more I read it, I was so heart broken to see that my son displays some behaviors such as fleeting eyes, spinning, linning up cars, and not engaging with other kids. I have not noticed any sensory overstimulation. I am on a waiting list to have my son evaluated by developmental pediatrics. The more I read, I am convinced he has autism spectrum disorders. I am so overwhelmed...I feel that all my plans and dreams for him has just shattered. I may be over reacting, but I am so worried that he can not catch up to be in the mainstream school.... I have not been eating well or sleeping well.... Can anyone tell me that a mild form of autistic child can keep up with his grade level? And again, I think he has a mild form because he does not display any harmful behavior to himself, he interacts with me, he doesn't shut down when put in new environment or playing alongside with other kids, he picking up more new words but slowly... I am about to enroll him in ABA school. Will my son be able to attend mainstream school down the road and keep up with his grade level? I am so so worried. I am so sorry for sounding so narrow minded or ignorant. Please forgive me, I just made this diagnoses only 1 week ago. ↓
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| Name: sid | Date: Jan 31st, 2007 8:37 PM |
| My son turned two in Sept, and he has been displaying autistic behavior, his appointment is on the 12th. This is something that my mom noticed and I started reading about the symptoms and sure enough he has many of them, but at the same time he has been around me for the most part and did not really start regressing until I was six months pregnant with his sister who is now almost eight months old. Since your child has been around more children you mentioned that he is reacting more- that's positive, there are a lot of recent studies that diet plays an important role in their development, I have switched my son to soy milk since autistic children have responded to ceisen (dairy products) poorly and have taken wheat and gluten completely out of his diet as well as given him magneieum and B6 vitamins, but he still acts the same and has not responded to any of it such as the studies of autistic children have. Maybe he just needs to be around more kids his own age, is he hyper active at home? My son is and sometimes it looks as though he feels so pressured to say something that all he get out is screams. I am at my witts end. Hang in there though and do not get too frustratied about him being able to attend mainstream schools, he may just be in a regression mode or feel as though he wants to say more but is too frustrated to get it out. ↑ |
| Name: hope3650 | Date: Feb 1st, 2007 7:03 PM |
| I do believe it is possible for many children with high functioning autism to go to mainstream. There are a lot of great things about ABA and there are also tons of natural treatments that help. They are not miracle cures, but will help. The schooling is very important as well as a good speech therapist. There is a lot of hope for these kids. Try to remember that nothing has changed from a week ago except that now you know the name for his symptoms. And I really believe that knowing allows you to research and find help. Your son is still the same kid and the fact that he is speaking at all is something to be very very thankful for. But we've all been there and know how painful it is to know that it is more than a speech delay. So allow yourself to feel bad about it while also learning as much as you can. ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 2nd, 2007 3:50 AM |
| Thank you Sid. Please let me know how it went at the doctor's visit on the 12th. My son is not hyperactive for the most part; only when he couldn't get things done the way he wanted things done, like stacking up legos without them falling. Only recently did he started to grunt when he couldn't say what he wanted to say. Regarding to diet, which food has gluten it in? Do you buy the vitamin B6 at GNC? ↑ |
| Name: sid | Date: Feb 2nd, 2007 5:03 AM |
| I found capsules of vitamin b6 an a nature food store and the same with powdered magnesieum. Gluten in is a lot of products, but according to the most recent studies it seems to have one of the largest affects as well as casein along with all wheat products. Casein is found in all dairy products. and I hate that wheat is in just about everything- which causes withdrawls, research has compared the two to be similiar to drug withdrawls for the first month. There are alot of online food sites, but they are so expensive, I just cannot wait until his appointment. There are many studies that say that the vitamins are almost hit and miss according to age and that a bowel test should be done as well as gastric issues. I will definately let you know how the appointment goes- feels like I am going nuts though lately, all he does is scream more and more. ↑ |
| Name: rachtwins | Date: Feb 3rd, 2007 2:14 AM |
| He sounds very similar to my three year old sons who I thought were only mild. After an evaluation it came back as severe which I was shocked from as they arnt violent loves affection and can interact with me. Anyway my sons will be going to an autistic school for a long time it seems. Really does it matter if they don't go to a mainstream school?, there still learning. A lot of the time we want them to go to Mainstream school beacuse that is whats socially expected from them. In the end who cares as long as they are alive and healthy. ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 3rd, 2007 4:52 AM |
| Hi Sid, I wonder why he is screaming more... do you have any idea? Is he frustrating trying to communicate?? Have you looked into speech therapy? Regardless what the diagnosis will be, perhaps starting him on speech therapy will help him communicate down the road. Sid and Rachtwins, I was touring an ABA school this morning. As soon as there is availability, which they said next month, but I'm pushing for them to arrange something this month so I can start enrolling my son in. Thankfully he is progressing on his own a little more and more. He is following more simple commands now. In fact, today he finally sat still while I was showing flashcards of colors and matching that up with other similar colored objects. I hope he will continues to progress, and I hope that the ABA sxhool will help speed this along. Thank you both for your support. I guess I was in so much distress upon the new revelation of my son's condition. I am doing better now, thanks ↑ |
| Name: sid | Date: Feb 3rd, 2007 9:03 AM |
| Yes he seems to be as frustrated as I am, he has started covering his ears at times or pacing his hands over his head. He shows affection, like he will run up to me and hug me, he will sit next to me and his sister on the couch when I am holding her, he will also rock her if she is in her car seat while his other arm will be around my leg when we watch movies together. I am glad that you feel better about it, just don't push your child too much, show great amounts of enthusiasm when he does something good and try not to get to mad when he does not understand something. I have the hardest time with it, I just try to keep reminding myself to be patient. I am going to look into speech therapy after he is seen by the doctor. I honestly just do not even have the money for it right now. I have eight months until my BA will be completed and it just keeps getting harder to stick with it and them. I am however trying to get his father more involved, but I also am afraid of loosing him altogether in the process- no matter how frustrated I get I don't want to loose him, but I want what is best for him too- I feel as though I have screwed things up so badly they are beyond my control. ↑ |
| Name: rachtwins | Date: Feb 3rd, 2007 9:07 AM |
| Name: sid | Date: Feb 3rd, 2007 7:04 PM |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 4th, 2007 5:38 AM |
| Sid, You have a full plate. I am so sorry, I do feel your stress. I believe in California, your child can get free speech therapy through the public school at the age of 2 if he is qualify...which I am sure he will be. My 2 years old niece in Irvine, CA received free speech therapy through the public school. In fact, my son will be evaluated in 2 weeks by the public school in our school district by the school speech pathologist and school psychologist to see if he is qualify for speech, ocupational, and or physical therapy, if he is qualify. After reading so many other forums from other parents complaining about the school district therapy (although it's better than none), I elected to take my son to a private ABA school. I know you are extremely busy, but I hope you can find the strength and time to make an appointment with the public school principle and arrange for evaluation and therapy for your son. Sid, I pray that you will attain your BA degree, that your son will receive the therapy he needs, and that his father will be more involved. God Bless. ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 4th, 2007 5:45 AM |
| oh I am sorry Sid, I just realized that your son is not 2 yet. ↑ |
| Name: sid | Date: Feb 4th, 2007 7:07 AM |
ltl
thank you so very much, I keep thinking that my hands are not as full as they are but here I am at 11pm after only getting a couple of hours of sleep last night. I will defeinately look into getting him an appointment right after his initial evaluation, I think that it is just a referal so that he can be seen by someone that would actually know what they are talking about. I know that there are so many people out there that make fun of and crticize Arnold Swartanager (? horrible speller-Iol), but he has contributed very much to Autistic children and studies for them as well as other things in regards to helping research and schools. It is such a relief to be able to talk and read about people that are in this situation, everyone in all honesty are in my prayers and may the best be brought to you and your child (ren) ↑ |
| Name: GEORGIAG | Date: Feb 19th, 2007 8:16 PM |
| My daughter was just diagnosed with autism last month. When she about a year and a half old I noticed she was talking or communcating with me I just thought she was a slow learner and eventually she'll just start talking. Well when she turned 2 there was still no change. So I also looked online for speech delays and ran across an article on autism and my daughter had all the signs my heart just broke. My daughter doesn't talk she pulls me when she wants something she has tantrums and has no social skills, she can be in a room full of children and not even know that there there she stays to her self. My daughter has a mild form of autism and is in a mainstream school with normal kids she is the only one in her class with autism. ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 20th, 2007 3:18 AM |
| Hi Georgtag, how is she doing in school?? Was she able to keep up? Do kids pick on her? That is one of my fear, that kids will pick on him because he is "different"...I don't mean just calling bad names, but that they physically pushed him around, etc. Is your daughter talking now?? ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 20th, 2007 3:19 AM |
| Hi Sid, did you take your son in for evaluation? Do you have the result yet? Is he still screaming? How are you and your son doing? ↑ |
| Name: gagirl5215 | Date: Feb 20th, 2007 3:25 AM |
GeorgiaG,
How is the public setting working out for your child. I am in a rural area of Georgia and there is not an ABA school around here. My son is 27 mo. and I'm wondering what is going to be the next step for me? Thanks, gagirl5215 ↑ |
| Name: Ontario_Father | Date: Feb 20th, 2007 12:50 PM |
Hello ItI, My son was diagnosed with a ASD in December of last year. @ that time he was not speaking, or speaking very little. Little to no interaction with other children, arm flapping a little, and no response to his name or any commands.
Since then he now counts to 4 or 5, knows and speaks about 10 to 15 words, responds to his name most of the time and will listen to most commands.
Like you, I to had my world com crashing down. I love my son, all of my children and of course wife, but once you get through that stage and see even the smallest improvement all you feel is joy.
My doctor has said that he can be undiagnosed and that she has done it before. Since he is mild/boarder line as the doctor has stated I think it is achievable.
Our children will always have obstacles but they will always be our children. Does it matter if they go to main stream school, not really. As long as they are happy and love you then my world will always keep on turning around and around. ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 21st, 2007 5:50 AM |
| Thank you Ontario_Father. Sorry I may have sounded so shallow, but I was so stressed after realizing my son's condition. I am feeling much better now. And you are right, I find joy in every little improvements and count my blessings. He is in both schools, the "typical" private school and the school for autistic kids. I was about to pull him out of the "typical" school in fear that I may have overloaded my son's schedual, but his teacher in the autistic program told me not to take him out of the "typical" school. She said that he is learning things in that school and carried them out in the autistic school. She also felt that being around "typical" kids can be a good modeling of social behaviors for him. So for those parents out there who can afford both types of private schools, it will be good for the child. That was confirmed by his developmental pediatric as well. ↑ |
| Name: puddin | Date: Feb 21st, 2007 7:47 PM |
Hello, I am new to this forum. My son is 6 and is currently in Grade 1 and is diagnosed with PDD NOS since he was 5. He has grown so much in the last 2 years. He had a difficult time with eye contact before, now he looks you straight in the eye 90% of the time. Before he wouldn't feed himself. Now he not only feeds himself but asks to eat more. He also has an amazing vocabulary and wants to socialize with other kids and have playdates after school whereas before he just ignored other kids.
He is in public school. He requires the help of a Certified Education Assistant to help keep him on task and focused. He tends to distract himself easily and has a hard time following complicated directions or multi-step instructions.
You have to be your childs advocate with the school system. I believe my son can learn the same outcomes as the rest of the children but he just has to be taught differently. The school however, assumed when my son entered Grade 1 that we wanted to modify his program so that he would only receive an honorary certificate at the end of Grade 12. We had to get them to change their view of our son and not assume that the label he has prevents him from learning the curriculum. Only you know what your child is capable of and the best advice i have is to set goals one at a time and work towards them otherwise it is overwhelming. ↑ |
| Name: sylvia0366 | Date: Feb 22nd, 2007 1:51 AM |
| Hi ITL, being a single mom of 3 autistic children, ages 12, 10 & 8, all I can say is that they are all so different and yet, some of the behaviors are the same. My kids do not shut down when their environment changes, my little ones do harm themselves when angry and are pretty much non verbal, they do repeat everything though. My oldest son, you would never think that he is autistic as he is very high functioning. My advice to you is to keep up with what you are doing, getting him speech therapy and also getting him in the ABA therapy, unfortunately I was not able to afford ABA when my kids were younger, otherwise I am sure they would be in a better situation right now. Your son is very young and at the perfect age to receive all the help he needs. I know it can be overwhelming, but you just have to keep up the good work you are doing now and you are not narrow minded or ignorant, you are just a mother who was looking for answers to her questions. I wish you all the look in the world. If you ever want to talk or have other questions, you can email me at [email protected] ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 22nd, 2007 3:39 AM |
| Hi Puddin, how did you get your son to look at you most of the time?? Any advice on how to teach my son to maintain eye contact with me? ↑ |
| Name: puddin | Date: Feb 22nd, 2007 4:27 AM |
Honestly ltl, we would constantly remind our son to "look at our eyes" when he spoke. We would kneel down to his level and tip his chin up with a finger to help him maintain eye contact. At first he was annoyed with us being interrupted but eventually it became habit forming and he would maintain eye contact for longer periods of time. We would also praise him like crazy when he first started to make eye contact without us reminding him.
Hope this helps. Every child is different and makes progress at different rates. Don't give up!! ↑ |
| Name: Wen | Date: Feb 22nd, 2007 11:54 PM |
Dear Overwhelmed,
I commend you on being so eager to help your son and, more importantly, to not deny the symptoms you see. My son is now 8 years old with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome. If you're not familiar with that part of the autistic spectrum, please read up on it, because it sounds like your son could also fall into that category. It is very normal for you to feel so overwhelmed, and I don't want to lie to you and say that it will all be so easy some day, but the good news is that you're being proactive and not letting others tell you that "he'll grow out of it" or that "you're being too neurotic." (Been there, heard that!) There is lots you can do to help your son, and depending on where you live (I'm in South Florida) there are schools and programs that can help. Strangely enough, this is just the right time for me to have found your message b/c I'm going through an overwhelming period with my son right now. It took us many years of trying alternative treatment methods to admit that he needed prescription medication (which we began one year ago), and though it has helped somewhat, it comes with its own set of limitations and problems as he grows, gains weight, and needs dosage tweaking. Some days (like tonight) I jsut want to run away, I have to be honest. But there are other times when the beauty of my boy shines through. Please write whenever you want. My email is [email protected]. Hope to hear from you :-) ↑ |
| Name: ConorsHelper | Date: Feb 23rd, 2007 2:23 AM |
Hi Itl
My heart goes out to you...to all of you! I am not the parent of a child with autisim, but have had a child come into my life through a family that I love like my own. I have been trying to learn as much as possible about autisim and will continue! Also...I pray for guidance and for God to help Conor "bloom" ALOT! This site is so great. Wonderful to have the support of others! I will be passing it along to Conor's dad. : )
I just wanted to say that puddin's advice about eye contact is spot on! That is what I have been doing with Conor...well from the point of view that he needs to look at me when I am talking to him. I just keep saying, "Conor you need to look at me so I can talk to you," until he looks into my eyes...patience is key! lol That first day, when I got down on his level and he finally looked directly into my eyes for that fleeting second, I saw him looking out. That was it for me. I am committed to him for as long as I can be of help. : )
I would like to add something to puddin's advice, if I may. Sing a lot too! That gets a child's attention! : ) I sing my end of the conversation to Conor and sing to him that he can sing his words to me. (4 years old...very nonverbal...he can say words, but does so very rarely so far)
I hear Conor trying out his verbal skills a little more each day. He is da-da-da'ing to himself (I think it's when he thinks no one is listening! lol) and he is also starting to say a few words...but it is not always the actual word more of a sound. When I know he is trying to say something and I make eye contact and repeat it to him asking if he said... The look on his face says yes! That was it! Then he may be right back to averting his eyes, but progress is being made!!
Also, I think being around the other children is making a positive difference. I do not think that children will make fun of your child if he is sent to "mainstream" school. I have a small home daycare and the other children immediately realized that Conor was "different." The first day one of the children said, "Conor is like Leo! He is a late bloomer!" We have a book called, "Leo, The Late Bloomer." It was published by Scholastic. It's about a little tiger cub named Leo. All of Leo's friends talk, draw, write, and can eat very neatly. Well, Leo hasn't done any of these things. Leo's friends don't seem to mind a bit, but Leo's father is worried. Leo's mother says, "Be patient. Leo is a late bloomer." Father tries very hard to be patient. Leo's friends just keep being accepting of him and voila! One day, Leo blooms!
When Conor first started coming to play, he would sit for hours lining up the hot wheels and re-lining up the hot wheels. Well, kids and hot wheels go together no matter what! His first day in daycare, Matthew (3 years old) watched and watched, then he silently went and sat by Conor and tentatively pushed a hot wheel into the line-up. Conor did not object so Matthew pushed another car into the line. For days after that he would help Conor at different times throughout the day with his cars. At other times during the day, another child sat silently with Conor lining up cars. Soon, Conor wasn't lining up cars anymore. He still is on his own alot, but he sometimes joins the others to be near them. And once when he lined up a bunch of boxes, the kids said, "A train!" They all scrambled into a box and Conor was just beaming!!! I knew he had made a train! He could not quite bring himself to get into a box, too, but he sat right by them and was just happy!! I think these children are helping Conor as much as his teachers or I am able too. : ) Sometimes they get frustrated with Conor when he is having a wild day, but hey, sometimes they get frustrated with each other! Sometimes I am frustrated with all of them! lol They are never mean or spiteful to him. They are very nurturing for the most part.
My other advice, I have seen it over and over again on this site...God can help. Believe. Receive. : ) Keep Him close...the child in your life is part of your life plan. I don't know how or to what end, but God does. Trust Him to lead you. Ask Him for help & wisdom. : ) And on those days when you feel you are at your wits end, remember to call out for strength! He provides that, too! Oh yes, He does!!!! : )) ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 23rd, 2007 4:21 AM |
| Hi Conorshelper, as I was reading your message, I'm bewildered as to why Connor would stop linning up his cars as other kids joined him. I'm trying to find ways to reduce my son's stimming and/or repetitive behavior such as linning up things and spinning. Any ideas as to why Connor would stop linning up the cars ? I have to say that I admire you for taking such intrests in helping an autistic child. The wonderful thing about adorable toddlers is that they are not at the age where they would tease and pick on those who are different. Connor is so blessed to have you, the teachers, and the kids in your daycare to spend time with. Thank you for your support and God Blessed. ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 23rd, 2007 4:23 AM |
| Thank you Puddin, I will start working on your suggestions. I can not wait until the day where he will fixate on my eyes and face... ↑ |
| Name: puddin | Date: Feb 23rd, 2007 6:33 AM |
ltl, are you worried that your son will be teased and picked on in school? I also have and had those worries. My son is currently in the middle of Grade 1 in public school. He was also in preschool for 2 years prior to kindergarden. I think socially, it was harder for him in preschool because other kids his age were too young and distracted to give him the extra time to express himself. Later when he started kindergarten, he started to develop friendships with only a very few other kids and it was like the rest of the class never existed. Some of them I don't think he even knew their name at the end of school year. The kids he chose to be close too are quieter children who have a more patient nature. Now that he is in grade one he is not being teased or picked on. In fact, the girls in his class have definitely taken an interest in him and seem to understand that he is a little different and they accept that and enjoy helping him.
The problem we are having at school is that my son will sometimes do inappropriate behaviour at school just to get a reaction from the other kids. To him, even a negative reaction is at least attention that he craves. So far, the other kids are being tolerant. It is amazing how many times a friend at that age will forgive. Others just ignore him and go on with their day, but they don't tease him. I once overheard another kid describe my son to another as "an okay guy".
In regards to the stimming - does your son do this when happy, mad, bored, or frustrated? My son will sometimes run and touch the walls from one end of our living room to the other end. I noticed that he does this when he is happy or excited about seeing something on TV. I asked him why he was running and he told me it helps him to think and that his is okay. When he does this at an inappropriate time I tell him to stop or settle down and he will. He never does this in public, just at home. I think he is starting to do it less now because he is able to experience his joy and happiness without having to stim and do his paces.
I hope that you are taking care of yourself. Having a child with ASD will test your patience and it helps when you are eating and sleeping well. Has your son been officially diagnosed yet? ↑ |
| Name: ConorsHelper | Date: Feb 25th, 2007 7:20 AM |
Hi Itl
First and foremost, I give God the glory for every improvement I have seen in Conor these past months. : ) I know that people are praying and prayer is a very powerful thing! Also, I think maybe that because the other children reached out to him in a way that he understood it allowed him to reach out a little to them?? Does that make since? (It is getting very late here! lol)
I, also, should have said the other day that Conor has not completely stopped lining things up. There are days when he does. It seems to be a stress reliever for him. Makes him feel safe, I think, to know he has control over the order of things in his world. That is strictly a personal observation. I have no specialized training in working with children with special needs, but I love children and have been around them literally all my life as I am the oldest in my family. lol
We moved to a new house in November and for the first few days after we moved, he was lining up cars. Once, not long after I had realized that I hadn't seen Conor lining up his cars in days, the children and I were all working together on a big floor puzzle and I didn't realize that during the excitement Conor had inadvertently been excluded. After his initial piece, he either hadn't gotten another or maybe one of the kids had "helped" too much and did his for him and he left the group. Which ever the case, I saw Conor off to himself lining up cars. I worried that he would withdraw again so made certain to see that he was always included and not overwhelmed with our activities.
He still averts eye contact on occasion, but most of the time he is looking at me. Sometime when he isn't making eye contact a word I say (like snack for instance) will cause him to jerk his head around and make eye contact again. I, also, catch him watching my mouth very intently when I am speaking to him these past few weeks. These things have happened over an 8 month period, by the way, so it is slow going. But he is going!!! (Thank you, God! Thank you, Jeeeeesus!)
Know that you have added someone to your list of those praying for your family ! All of you! : )
Oh...and what is stimming exactly? I have not heard that term before... ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 26th, 2007 5:35 AM |
| Hello Puddin, I am so glad to see that your son gets so much support from his classmates and friends. In fact, that is encouraging to hear. There were two times when I dropped my son off at his preschool and as I was talking to another mother, I noticed that a kid came up to my son and grabbed his toy away. Since my son cannot talk quite just yet, all he did was standing there staring at the toy that was yanked from him. I know that kids are kids, and maybe I am overly paranoid or perhaps just being plain defensive of my son regarging "being picked on". Who knows, my son probably do that to other kids... My son is not yet officially diagnosed but finally has an appointment with a developmental pediatric at the end of next month. I'm hoping that I am wrong in my own diagnosis, but my gut feeling strongly tells me that my son will be diagnosed of PDDNOS. He does displays some of the stimming behaviors and only does it when he is happy and/or excited. In fact, just within the past 2 weeks, he started to flap his hands when he gets excited whereas in the past he would only spins or linning up his toys. He is also extremely delayed in his gross motor skills as he falls often when he runs. I am thinking of enrolling him in gymnastic over the summer to work on his coordination and balance. ↑ |
| Name: ltl | Date: Feb 26th, 2007 5:58 AM |
| Hi ConnorsHelper, it's true, if left alone, most kids on the spectrum will go back to doing "their own thing". In fact, my son's teacher in his autistic school tells me to continually pull him back into group activities when he goes off on his own. That's what they do every day there in the school. "Stimming" is self-stimulating behaviors. Most kids on the spectrum have some "miswiring" of sensory stimulations, and for some kids, they stimulate themselves visually by linning up objects, stairing at ceiling fans or lights, and/or flicking their fingers. Others may seek vestibular stimulation by spinning, pacing, or rocking back and forth. Some may show auditory stimulation by echoing other people, covering/uncovering ears, or repeating songs, books, vedios at inappropriate times. Some may lick objects, while others may sniff and smell people or objects. It is such a wide range of behaviors and that is why ASD kids are on a wide spectrum. Thank you for including my son in your prayers as I know prayers are powerful!! ↑ |
| Name: goodmommyof2 | Date: Apr 7th, 2007 10:56 PM |
| Don't apologize, you are not being narrow minder or ignorant. These are normal concerns of a mother with a child with special needs. My son is 7 and was just diagnosed with Autism. I have the same concerns. But rest assure my son is showing growth in the classroom, he isnt on the same level as the other kids in his class but he does improve just at a slower pace. He does particiapte in Title 1 and we may eventually get him a private tutot but his teachers see no reason that he can't excel in the classroom with everyone else. So hang in there. I am furtinate that my son is vocal but I have worked with lots of autistic adults in group homes and I do know that with the proper support even the severe cases can be taught how to live and function. One last piece of advice. I know stress can make you unable to sleep and unable to eat but trust me taking care of yourself will make taking care of your son a lot easier so talk to a doctor if you have to for your own health. ↑ |
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