Autism - It's Hit My Home.

It seems to me that although you cannot teach emotions you can teach them how to interprete facial expressions and behaviour. Just as you can teach brialle or sign - the human capability to learn and adapt means we can by-pass functions. You could consider emotional expression as a language and in that way it could be taught.

Your right about that. Its not like people with Autism have absolutely no emotion. I would assume you just have to associate what they know to what they are having trouble with, not as a substitue for that emotion, but as a reference in social situations.

Good luck with everything Lombozo. You sound like your a great dad.

[edit on 13-4-2007 by xEphon]

Lombozo, friend, I know it's probably of little consolation to you right now, but it will be okay. Everything has its reason and purpose. There is no event or ailment that does not serve a purpose. As long as you keep this in mind, it will make dealing with whatever may come a bit easier. I hope the best for you and your son,Lombozo.

Speaker.

My situation is a bit different, but if I may, I'd like to offer up some advice/experience.

I have a 15 year-old boy who is high-functioning Asperger's. He is VERY intelligent (scary smart at times) and is interested in World War II. Which means that the kid has read and memorized every aspect of the subject. I think he could teach a college history professor a thing or two. He struggles to write, even his signature. His coordination has always been horrible. And we all know what happens to the kid who can't run or kick like everyone else. He is terrified of people. It almost does him in to even go to the grocery store. But it seems to be kids (not babies or small children, but kids closer to his age) that scare him. I don't know if this is the disorder or because of the treatment he got in public school.

Because of an illness, we started homeschooling him in the fifth grade and we now homeschool all of our children. He doesn't have near the interaction with people that our other children do, but he socializes within his comfort zone. And I'm fine with that.

When he was in public school he did occupational therapy which I think helped some. But there became a point when there was no more improvement. As he got older, his coordination with sports and activities improved somewhat. However, his handwriting is still awful. So he has typing for one of his classes. So much in the adult world is done on computer anymore, that I don't think it'll be a problem.

It sounds like you are doing your research, which is the best thing you can do. Research everything...medical, educational, social, etc. If you are going to place your child in public school, I suggest you research special education laws. We had so many problems with the school and he wasn't even in special ed classes, just occupational therapy. A lot of schools don't realize what they are required to do. They don't educate themselves on their responsibilities, so you need to. Seek the help of a parent advocate. They've been through this and know what the laws are and what help is available.

The best and most important piece of advice I can give you is follow your instincts. YOU know your child. There were several times my gut told me different than what the doctor, specialist or teacher was telling me. I learned to listen to my gut, but only after making some mistakes because I listened to the other person. Docs can be wrong. If you don't agree, find someone else. And keep going until you get someone who will listen and you feel comfortable with. I've pissed people off more than once, just because of a gut feeling and no other good reason. And I was glad I did. You are the only one who can be an advocate for your child.

Teasing....I don't have any good answers for that one. I wish I had started homeschooling earlier. I think things would be so much different now. I believe school was pure torture for him. I found out later that the teachers were almost as bad as the kids. Not an environment anybody should have to endure. One thing I found that helps is being upfront with classmates. Explain to them, in terms they can understand, what autism is. For my son, we had a “Hearing Aid Party” in first grade when he got his hearing aids. We made a celebration out of it. Everyone got a snack and I talked to the class about his aids. It was turned into a positive thing.

Support your child's interests. Like I said, WWII is my son's thing. We buy him books, videos, models, whatever to encourage his hobby. I'm excited to see where this might lead him in the future.

You might want to check out the Munroe Meyer website. They are in Nebraska and do leading research and therapy with autism and other disorders. (Sorry, I usually just read and don't post, so I'm not sure how to link)

Good luck. There will be rough times, but that's with every kid, not just autistic ones. And those accomplishments are so much sweeter when you know how much work went into them.

#1 - SEEK OUT PROFESSIONAL HELP. There are different methods -- investigate all of them in your area. Find a web site/forum run by other mothers of autistic children.

I think I may have been borderline autistic. This was way back in the early 50s.

These are just my opinions -- from my own personal experience -- I am NOT a professional or educated/trained in anyway -- in the field of autism or related conditions.

It was like living halfway between 2 worlds. Have you ever seen the Twilight Episode where the girl falls through her bedroom wall into another dimension? It was kind of like that.

I needed to feel safe.

I needed to be loved - even if I did not recipricated

I needed to be held.


LOVE & SAFE ARE INTERTWINED.

I liked my bed in the corner - I built a half wall to make it like a cave or fort. It felt like the safety of a mother's womb. Any structure must be safe.

I like beanbag chairs because they wrap around the body. Also I have a special blanket to wrap up in and cuddle.

This helped me. Diet - Food. I eat similar to the Atkins diet. No sugars - no additives - no food coloring - no preservatives - etc.

I try to get all my food as healthy and as pure as poissible. For some reason beef is the only thing that really works for me.

Things that were sturdy made me feel safe. I was attrackted to trees. I felt safe climbing and sitting in trees. So - if you have anykind of play structure - make sure it is not flimsy. I also liked overstuffed furniture.

Originally posted by lombozo
My wifes Uncle, is a genius - truly a genius. His thing is astronomy. He builds his own telescopes - and not from kits. He built 2 machines, which allowed him to grind his own lenses, and mirrors.
That being said, he has absolutely no common sense.

But has he constructed a water lens?

Did you know that the ancients regarded autistics as demi gods, able to commune with alternate realities and the gods?

Sounds like you got yourself a little indigo hybrid there, lombozo....that is not an attempt to deflect the terrible inadequacy of a health care system that may or may not be causing the increase in autism with vaccinations, which we may never know, now that legislation has been reinforced to protect the most powerful organizations in the world from prosecution for wrongdoing against the most helpless members of society....

If we were all the same, there'd be nobody different. That's good that your son is highly functional, sounds like he's got a good support team.

You might find the following info helpful and uplifting:

William Stillman, author of several books demystifying the Autistic Experience, giving hope, guidance, and understanding, to parents and care givers enabling them to cope

1. On above mentioned site you can listen 'free' to 4 of his interviews:

"The Ripple Effect"
A listener's question about a 13 year old diagnosed with ADHD leads to advice that all parents should hear. A grandmother who presumed intellect, one of William's fundamental tenets, and the effect of this on the infant she was holding, hmmm, maybe this applies to everybody! The Autism exercise in his Jan 07 program... was the title too scary? "The View" and Rosie's blog; a new meaning to "symmetry"; the Lady Bug story; and the Ripple Effect.

2."Become 'Autistic' for Three Minutes"
Have a quick taste of Autism right here with William's brilliant yet simple exercise! See for yourself why he says... presume intellect. We won't explain as this is an experience for you! This will *WOW* you and expand your view whether autism is in your reality or not. The response from those who tuned in to the live show was definitely 'Wow'!

3."Let's Not Eradicate, Let's Celebrate!"
There is much misdiagnosing, where autism is blamed for behavior actually stemming from other mental health reasons ...his book uncovers uncharted territories with multiple layers to explore. The results from his one day workshops on this topic, William calls it a new psychiatric paradigm, are life changing. People acutely sensitive are terribly susceptible to outside influences, unlike neuro-typical or "normal" people, whose fear and disdain regarding autistics even manifests in church! "We compartmentalize what we don't understand. ...and we value physical beauty, but at what price?" William demystifies this for us in his first book where he bears his soul. Also... the naivety of innocence, no fear, not running away... but towards something... water, which to autistics is extremely important, the closest earthly thing to the fluidity of being in spirit again. A disorder to be cured? "I'm not broken, don't fix me!"

4."Presume Intellect"
William's mantra and prominent in his book, "Autism and the God Connection." In childhood he experienced abuse for being different, as well as other occurrences, thoughts, he could not explain. When later he discovered that he had a mild form of autism, it led him to finding countless stories of the same gifted propensities and psychic experiences. Autism has been pathologized to the point that many parents regard it as a death sentence and some even perceive their child being at the level of a dog. Yet many more consider their autistic child a gift, and Bill is passionate about their ability to teach us much, if we just release thinking of autism as an 'affliction.' ...then we find out about his other passion, "The Wizard of Oz" and its mystical themes.

[edit on 13-4-2007 by frozen_snowman]

My girlfriend has a 16 year old daugher who has Asperger's.

I won't lie and say it's always easy, but i will be honest and say she is probably THE most fascinating and endearing person i have ever had the pleasure of getting to know.

CX.

I hate to be the one to bring this up, but since no one else has, have you ever researched the preservative thermerasol?


video.google.com...



www.google.com...

www.google.com...

video.google.com...


A friend's child was underdeveloped and not even speaking, he has been taking DHT for just a month or too..

Major improvements that even I as a house guest can see....

www.google.com...

He now opens the front door for me and welcomes me by name, verbally.. after only a month... He used to just sit and watch TV as much as possible, VERY little speech. Major improvements..

Anyway, please check it out.. and folks please don't rip into me for informing this chap, if you don't agree with this fine, but some one needs to tell him, so he knows ALL his available options..


Good Luck..

Originally posted by ivymike


Anyway, please check it out.. and folks please don't rip into me for informing this chap, if you don't agree with this fine, but some one needs to tell him, so he knows ALL his available options..


Good Luck..

No-one will rip into you for suggesting something that could help. What works for some, does'nt for others, but when you live with autism you'll be happy to try anything.

My girlfriends daughter did very well on Probiotics (not sure if thats the right spelling), apparently the autistic traits were a lot less.

CX.

I almost forgot. I also suggest a Swim Team.

It is a pattern exercise - helps get oxygen into the body - you compete against your own times - and you have a built in friend framework - an environment to feel safe in.

Plus the water and swimming puts you into a different "world" - the bouyancy seems to be soothing.

Mod Edit: Post Removed At Member's Request.


[edit on 14/4/2007 by Mirthful Me]

Originally posted by Essedarius

Originally posted by robertfenix
... he can learn how to express and experience emotions and to develop sympathy.

This is a DANGEROUS DANGEROUS line of thinking that can lead to SEVERE depression in parents and educators.

I am truely sorry you feel this way, his child does not have a "problem" the parent should not look at it as a problem and should not treat it as a problem.

His child is gifted and though "most" people will not understand what the child is going through a parent that is loving and caring enough to not allow any stereotypes get in the way of their bond will for sure see the light in the childs eyes and know there is far more a world of wonderment in the child then most "common" people could every comprehend.

The parent must learn from the child, not try and mold them into what society says is the norm.

I don't think that you can 'teach' emotion, it is something that people figure out for themselves. Obviously you can encourage the learning of it by showing them facial expressions and reactions, etc. But you can't tell them when to be happy or sad.

Most people have their individual problems with social issues, common sense or intelligent, it's what makes everyone different.

lombozo your kid sounds awesome, really, and you sound very proud of him. It sounds like he's developing intelligence exceptionally well and i'm sure he will grow into a great young man

Originally posted by lombozo
Since he was 2, he has been using the computer. By 3 he could surf the internet like you wouldn't believe. Not just clicking around, but actually surfing to specific sites. Now at 4 he can draw in Illustrator, and retouch in Photoshop. I am so proud that he's my son.

So what exactly is the problem?

I am failing to see the problem.

Perhaps you are making it into one? Don't give medical science more credence than it is worth.

I am so proud that he's my son.

You have voted lombozo for the Way Above Top Secret award. You have used all of your votes for this month.

Originally posted by robertfenix
...his child does not have a "problem" the parent should not look at it as a problem and should not treat it as a problem.

Autistic children and their parents will face challenges that other children and parents will not...semantically, we can deal with that however you like.

The fact that families with these types of "concerns" end up being closer and happier is not lost on me, I promise you that.

My point in my previous post...and I probably came on a little strong, for which I apologize...is I believe that attempting to teach an autistic child to feel an emotion that they have demonstrated problems with is attempting to place a cognitive solution onto a physiological problem...which would inevitably be as frustrating and successful as teaching a blind person to see.

Can you teach coping techniques that lead to an ultra-fulfilling life? ABSOLUTELY! But having a syndrome is not like having a charley-horse...as a rule, you can't just massage it out.

The parent must learn from the child, not try and mold them into what society says is the norm.

Again, if I ever implied otherwise, that wasn't my intent.

lombozo loves his boy. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

You have to understand - Emotions are a Risk - they are not Safe.

Emotions make you vulnerable.

Originally posted by undo

I am so proud that he's my son.

You have voted lombozo for the Way Above Top Secret award. You have used all of your votes for this month.

Excellent idea.

You have voted lombozo for the Way Above Top Secret award. You have two more votes this month.

I believe there may be a link between autism & vaccinations.

My sister has a 7 year old who is autistic and has never spoken a word. However when he was only a few years old & diagnosed, my sister stated she believed there was a link with his condition & vaccinations. Why im not sure.

If you do a little research however you will find there is quite a bit of documentation suggesting this link. Has the incidence of autism risen since the introduction of vaccinations? I dont know. You may want to look into it however.

And though slightly off topic, do a bit oif further research into vaccinations in general & look at the reduction in known disease cases. The figures are surprising. In many instances the incidence of these diseases has come down however they were already on their way down PRIOR to the introduction of vaccinations..despite the propoganda. Ive seen a video by a top professor on this topic who provided charts & figures showing vaccines have had a negligible effect on preventing disease.

Bottom line, dont trust the mainstream medical fraternity. The FDA for example isnt interested in alternative cures that cant be patented. What matters to them is how much money they can make, not how many lives they can save by approving 'cures'. Radiation therapy for cancer for example kills thousands each year while alternative cures heal many, yet many of these alternative cures are banned or at the least NOT approved by the FDA. They use their govt regulation to hide & cover up these alternative medicines so the pharmaceutical companies can make more money. And drugs are big business. If they can make thousands off you while you die, the fact you die makes no difference to them. Theres always another person to drug, radiate & cut up.

Im sorry to hear about your son. It must be heart wrenching. But perhaps a greater awareness can help prevent this thing happening to others.


[edit on 13-4-2007 by Nonchalant]