Just been diagnosed as havin autism "help please"

Alisha - posted on 06/05/2012

My son is 2.5 and just diagnosed with autism and communication deficit. He is nonverbal. Like you say he makes sounds but that is all. I have him in speech and occupational therapy. I recently got a speech order from the doctor that diagnosed him to have speech 1 to 2 times a week. Since its summer where he goes to speech they only go a few times as opposed to once a week like it was. I am very hopeful that is all I can be right now and I am looking at all opportunities. Tips that we do for communication is sign language and also we are doing the pec system.( which is pictures of the things he wants on flash cards) The sign language does not work as well as the pec....but I keep it still as an option. Today at speech I was told to try a routine board. B/c lately after getting up in the morning and taking Thomas downstairs he gets very upset and throws a fit. They suggested a rountine board with pictures like the picture of the bed then the stairs and when I tell him what we are going to do show him then have him put the pictures in a finish bag......we shall see how that works...I am always willing to try. Potty training I have no tips I am working on that as well sooo pass and tips you hear of my way!! :)

ANGEL - posted on 06/04/2012

Hi Angela,
My son was just properly diagnosed with Autsim. He is 13 years old. I knew since he was little was different. I live in a small town with not very good doctors. So I know what you are going through it has not been easy. I have been learning about Autsim. I can tell you that there are no two children with Autsim a like. They are all different. They might have simularites but all have different stregths and weakness. My son is potty trained and he verbal. He can not always get his point across but must be patient. I go round and round with the school. So just keep the faith and really research. When Richard was little he did not potty train till 4 1/2 years old. I use to have a reward systmem to help incourage him to use potty. I still to this day at home and school we use reward system with Richard. They have this site i like just found it it's called rethink autsim maybe check it out.

Dorothy - posted on 06/03/2012

I can't really address some of your issues but just want to encourage you. My son was also 4 when diagnosed with autism. He was verbal, but doctors said he was severally mentally retarded also. He was 4 when he was potty trained but it is not uncommon for that to take longer. I had all my boys go naked from the waist down while potty training. After one accident, they quickly learned within a week. I had also bought a specail toy that would help with motivation and placed it in the bathroom so they could see it every time they went in there. Within two weeks they were fully potty trained, dressed and playing with a new toy!

Early intervention is key even if you don't see gains immediately. My son now functions about a year and a half behind his peers (he is 14), which is a huge success considering doctors thought he would never read or be able to ride a bike. Good luck! It is a tough road at times but you are not alone, just take every progress and rejoice in it and try not to let the set backs depress you. We all have set backs in life, right?

Julie - posted on 05/15/2012

My son was diagnosed at age 2 with low functioning autism; he is now nearly 11, soon to finish 5th grade soon to move on to middleschool.... I quess read ALOT about autism; the more you undestand generally about how the autistic brain works the better off you will be. Allow him to be autistic;don't be unrealistic with your expectations, but understand he will/can learn. Our son Erik loves to read words and watch his videos/play the computer. He does well at certain tasks but not at others....take everything in stride and don't look at things as a normal person might.In other words making "sense" of autism is nearlyhopeless. Just be proud of him for any accomplishment,no comparisions to others, and love him,be proud of him, accept him.
Children with autism are kinda stuck behind a glass wall....they see, hear, and often understand (to a degree) what is happening in their world but stuckbehind this thick glass wall/box can't react/ interact as they should. An example when my son was 2; I was homecoloring with his 31/2 yr.old sister...I had her in my lap... she'dlaugh, look at me smiling etc.. then cuddle like any other kid. I then picked up Erik; tried to hold him... he sat there, (when normally he'd often want down) leaned into me; (so I knew he wanted the attention) but no matter what I did he continued to stare off into space with no expression hardly at all. After 8+ years of this; I think we've learned to not feel "hopeless" that Erik has his own way to relate to us...( like being nearly 11... 160 lbs., and climbs in my lap like a baby when he wants me to love him a little....he also likes to have me tickle him where he laughs at a certain word or phrase and then I'll tickle him and he laughs then he'll pull my hand like he wants me to do it again).
To get into his world a bit more find what he likes and spend time there.... he will be limited as to how/when he will react to you (it's all on his terms). Talking willcome if he's able to; begin with sign language and other gestures you want to limit the screaming and tempertantrums (we went through that) Erik didn't talk until he was 7. Even so, be warned that even if he talks often with autistics they often make little sense....get him in speech therapy and even OT if it applies for him. Have a good schoolstaff to work with trust what they say but don't be afraid to interject
when you feel they may not be right. Seek out through DHS or so to get a communication device/aide for him (Erik has what we call a word calculator... that allows him to type when he can't verbally relate). Apply for social security disability; Our son gets money every month... ask your pediatrician about specialty help from a psychiatrist if needed (Eriktakes several meds and is monitored closely by one....Sleep disorders and behavioral issues often come with autism, don'tbe afraid touse meds (if monitored properly to help)) . Potty training is a pain....Erik is nearly 11 and still wears pullups as he is only 50% potty trained. Relax potty regularly on a
schedule (often autistics have sensory problems) may try softer potty seats, training chairs, ask about social stories any tools to help can get potty training guides for autistic kids (look online).
Anyway feel free to write me on FB at julie willis-duckett you can see pics of my Erik (and his younger brother and his sister). I will pray for you and your son hoping your adjustment and processing of it all goes well. Oh to help rememebr that autism is a sensory, communication, developmental and social disorder.... their senses are often "out of wack" making it hard for them to understand/interpet their surroundings properly; he may require sungsalsses, soundphones (hunter's headphones). They often find a comfort item thaT they focus on when they are 'upset/wound up' which helps them make sense of things (Erik's is books.... he always has a book with him in a "go-bag" along with a change of clothes/pull-ups, soundphones, and sunglasses). Good luck please wirte and let me know how you are its important to have other moms to talk to: julie Duckett: Charles City, Iowa