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Name: sarad27
[ Original Post ]
I have a 3 year old son and we are pretty sure he is autistic, he started a special preschool class for kids with developmental problems back in November. I had him evaluated because he has a bad speech delay. Before he started the class he was only able to use words with one sylabol but now he can say just about any word he just doesnt use sentances. His teacher told me today that he is doing well and showing improvement, I asked her if she thought he could be autisic and she said in her opinion, yes, but he isn't severe. She said he knows how to play with toys and he loves the sensory table and he is showing improvement with speech and he doesn't really play with the other kids but he does play around them and participate with them during certain activities. He is a very loving child. He is also starting to listen better and follow directions and his potty training is really improving. Does anyone have any advice for me on things I could do with him at home to help him. I don't have any friends or family members who have autistic children so I don't have anywhere to go for advice.
Thank You
Sara
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Name: hecallsmemama | Date: Jan 15th, 2010 11:44 PM
My youngest son is about to turn 5 (on the 29th) and your story is an almost carbon copy of mine. His doctor noticed at a very early age that his reasoning skills were developing at a rapid pace. We discovered this when he was 6 months old. The doctor clipped a toy on his shirt to distract him during his exam, Aiden watched how it went on and copied the action to take it back off. We noticed a lot of little stuff after that and eventualy had him evaluated by a professional who said his I.Q. was exceptionally hight. He warned us then that it may be accompanied with learning or social disorders. Over the next year we began to notice the symptoms of autism. His speech had develped fairly normaly then suddenly stopped. He has a lot of obsesive compulsive traits. He can't stand loud or sudden noises and they will frequently lead to screaming. He stopped making eye contact and had trouble telling the difference between mommy angry and mommy playing. He can interact with children now although usually ends up wondering off on his own after to long. Untill about a year ago though he would only paralell play (what you described as playing along side the other children). I remember how my heart fell when the doctor used the word autism. I remember crying for days. Then I talked to a girl I had know years before who has a severely autistic child and now works as a social therapist for autistic children. She told me something I will never forget, "Autism doesn't mean there is something wrong, it means there is something different." My son will start kindergarten in August. He will be in a regular school in a regular school. He has friends and favorite activities and is very happy and very well adjusted. While raising him will always be a little different, I don't think it is really any harder than with my older son. I have so many tips I could give you that I learned from all over. I should also tell you that at the age of 11, after many misdiagnosis, I was diagnosed with mild autism. Today I am a college graduate and mother of 2. Things sometimes work a little differently for me, but I think it has enabled me to more understand my son. If you would like my phone number then e-mail me at [email protected] 

Name: meantruck1 | Date: Jan 23rd, 2010 5:59 AM
probably not autistic. but look into asburgers syndrome. i know its misspelled but google it. they have spellcheck lol. 3 is when the symptoms should be pretty apparent by now. My daughter was diagnosed by 2 1/2 moderate to sever autism. all children are different and there are many, i mean many different spectrums of autism. just dont be too quick to rule out something else just because of what a school teacher thinks or a general doctor thinks. Childrens memorial hospitol in chicago diagnosed my daughter after a year of hearing tests and physicals and therapists. go to people who know exactly what to do and to look for. Mike 

Name: pupsy | Date: Mar 21st, 2010 5:34 PM
my 3 and a half year old boy has not been diagnosed with autism yet although has with communication and social interaction problems which if you have a look on google it comes up autism. I am really stressing out about his eating dont know what to do he is living on crackers and frosties will not try anything new can anyone give me any suggestions please? 

Name: l1ndseyb | Date: Mar 21st, 2010 10:33 PM
Hi, My daughter was diagnosed with Autism in January this year,she was 2 years and 4 months! My daughter was showing all signs of Autism from a very young age and I knew nothing about the condition or the effect it can have on peoples lives. After extensive research I was able to go to doctors with my thoughts and explain to them the signs and traites that she has. To all professionals it was obvious she was autistic but professionals still being weary because she is so young. She starts nursery tomorrow and since beginning play group is comin along great although she doesnt speak we are goin to start using picture exchange communicaton which should help. NOONE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF GETTIN A DIAGNOSIS IF YOU THINK YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER HAS AUTISM. DONT THINK OF IT AS A LABEL, THINK OF IT AS A MILESTONE THAT HAS BEEN REACHED SO YOU CAN GET THE HELP THATS OUT THERE. its a shame that you cant get help unless you go through the vigiorous motions of speaking to lots of diferent people, often repeating yourself and gettin so tired you just want it to go away, but its more positive in the long run and early intervention is key!!! 

Name: rettsmom | Date: Mar 22nd, 2010 2:28 AM
my son turned 3 on valentine's day and was just diagnosed. we have started the picture exchange program because he only says single words and he loves it. to get him diagnosed would mean more opportunities to get him the help that he needs. i have just started our journey, i'm sure it will get easier the more i learn and deal with all the obstacles ahead....sheesh! 

Name: rettsmom | Date: Mar 22nd, 2010 10:58 PM
asperger's is on the autism spectrum also 


Name: Hil | Date: Apr 17th, 2010 11:34 AM
I also have a 3 yr old who has just been diagnosed as being on the spectrum. On reading your post i found alot of comparisons. My son's speech is also delayed and while he can repeat any word he will not use language as a means of communicating. What I do with Johnny is give him the words he should say - so if he pulls me in looking a bickie i will say "biscuit please".. its taken a few weeks but now instead of pulling me to the cupboard he will say the words if he wants the biscuit enough. I am on a steep learning curve. Still waiting on early intervention but i have found playing games that have turn taking helps my son - like the matching pairs game which he really loves. It helps him learn the name of what is on the card as well. My son talks alot of silly talk - full sentences of it - my speech therapist advised me to answer back using lanauge as close to his silly talk as normal but lol that can be difficult! As for the potty training I am pulling my hair our over this one as nothing seems to be working so if you have any advice over that would appreciate it. My son is also very loving and can play alongside other kids.. but not really participating with them in the game. I also found a site that sold cards to teach verbs - like running, jumping which seems to have helped johnny's understanding of simple everyday things. My email is [email protected] and would love to hear any advice you have on things i can do with johnny also.. thanks
hilary 

Name: tasha1011 | Date: Aug 10th, 2010 4:05 PM
Sara, you can have your son evaluated by your local school district. If you live in the states, go to your local school district and request (in writing) to have your son evaluated by a school psychologist. They have to respond to your written request within 15 days. You can also have him evaluated by a psychologist referred by your doctor.

Overall, it sounds like you have a supportive teacher. Always work with her so the same recommendations are being implemented at home and at school. There is such a thing called parallel play in which children play next to each other but not with each other. That is normal development. It sounds like this is what he is doing. You can however arrange to have play dates with some of the mothers in his class.

Try not to worry. If you are concerned, first have him evaluated.

I provide more tips at my blog. I have an autistic son who is doing very well. He is high functioning. Initially though, I thought he was low functioning because of the absence of speech. He is now talking, using sentences and interacting with other kids.You can visit my blog at http://raisingsucautistic.blogspot.com/ 

Name: tasha1011 | Date: Aug 20th, 2010 5:10 PM
I have posted an article on controlling temper tantrums (anger outbursts). You can read it at http://www.associatedcontent.com/
article/5700064/autism_controllin
g_anger_outbursts.html?cat=25


It
gives tips and suggestions to parents (like myself) who have children on the spectrum. Read it and tell me what you think. 

Name: nancyrose25 | Date: Jan 26th, 2011 1:01 AM
i have a 4 yr old little boy. he has not been diagnosed with autism yet. but we are waiting to be tested. he has alot of the signs. slow speech,trouble interacting with other children,does a routine, bites his hand and sucks his thumb, repeats pharses, doesn't play with toys proper. they have diagnosed him with seizures. he has had dizzy spells ever since he was 1 yrs old and they have never been able to tell me why. i need some answers. 

Name: erachael | Date: Feb 3rd, 2011 11:11 PM
My son is 6 years old and it took a lot of effort when it came to potty training. I even made up a song I would only sing for him while he sat on the toilet. It would seem desperate at times, the extent at which you will go as a parent, for the baby steps your child takes. My son is more severe, as far as the spectrum goes. His first words didn't come until 4 years old and he was not social to begin with. Now, at age 6, he is very much into physical interaction but still lacks the social or language skills to have a conversation. One thing I must stress is always requiring them to request whatever they want. My son at times will try to dodge using his minimal language skills. He has built them up, by being forced to use and build upon his skills. This is something the parent has to notify the school and the school has to notify the parent of any new progress. My son would not utilize new speech if he is not required to. He is a very happy boy and very content to just play without using speech. He is a lot of fun and the messes we have had from his misadventures are priceless. You just never know what your gonna get. It is a blast having someone not concerned with the "norm". 

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