I have an Autistic 4 year old son, any advice or ideas from other Autistic Parents?

Esel - posted on 12/08/2009

Quoting Judi:

Early intervention is the key, every expert agrees. But because there are a zillion choices out there pick the one you are comfortable with. Every child ASD or not is different, so every intervention is going to work differently with each child. You are the expert on your son, you know what will work best; listen to what your gut is telling you and things will get better. If your child HATES music, don't use music therapy; Hates red - Santa photos can wait; All he likes is thomas and watching the wheels spin and the DVD, use Picture Exchange Cards (PECs) for which DVD. use some second hand thomas's to paint with, read the thomas books, go to the website www.thomasandfriends.com, sit on the floor and spin the wheels with himdrive over him with thomas, create a gate with your hand on the track for open and close (our toilet has thomas pictures in it to get Ricky to face the right way on the toilet -
mirrors work to)

My son loves watching thomas and  friends.......let's  try this tricks Jessica  then  I'll tell you what happen  then you tell us yours also....thanks to Judi  I think this tricks would really do something for my child.....

Esel - posted on 12/08/2009

Quoting Cathy:

Try visual cue cards. Take photos of things/activities you want him to do, like the toilet, dinnertime. You can use them with a timetable and let your son pick an activity from a picture rather than relying on verbal communication. Limit choices to no more than two activities at a time.

I'd like to try this one, my child  with autism is 4 years old  now  diagnosed  when he was 2 years old but until now  still using diaper because  it's so hard for me to potty train him.........maybe i could use this trick....thanks!

Susan - posted on 12/08/2009

Hi Jessica! My son is 5 and still has not potty train. We are working with his school and have a timer at home every hour he needs to try the potty. He will now pee on the potty and we are slowly working on sitting on the potty to poo.For talking try to talk about things he likes or try siging songs with him. Hope this helps!

Judi - posted on 12/07/2009

Early intervention is the key, every expert agrees. But because there are a zillion choices out there pick the one you are comfortable with. Every child ASD or not is different, so every intervention is going to work differently with each child. You are the expert on your son, you know what will work best; listen to what your gut is telling you and things will get better. If your child HATES music, don't use music therapy; Hates red - Santa photos can wait; All he likes is thomas and watching the wheels spin and the DVD, use Picture Exchange Cards (PECs) for which DVD. use some second hand thomas's to paint with, read the thomas books, go to the website www.thomasandfriends.com, sit on the floor and spin the wheels with himdrive over him with thomas, create a gate with your hand on the track for open and close (our toilet has thomas pictures in it to get Ricky to face the right way on the toilet -
mirrors work to)

Alexandra - posted on 12/07/2009

My son is 5 and I just have to say everyone above has given great advice!! Somebody had to say it, right? Like they said find what is right for YOUR child. Hang in there and remember you are not alone. My son is GF as well and it was like night and day w/ his communication. From next to nothing to complete sentences w/ 16+ words. Picture schedules were a huge help too. He was also a late potty trainer and we felt the diet was the biggest factor. Good luck, we're right there w/ you!

Cathy - posted on 12/07/2009

Try visual cue cards. Take photos of things/activities you want him to do, like the toilet, dinnertime. You can use them with a timetable and let your son pick an activity from a picture rather than relying on verbal communication. Limit choices to no more than two activities at a time.

Angela - posted on 12/07/2009

my son turns 5 in w few weeks he was diag. with autism at age two. he wasn't potty trained until 10 months ago and that was after starting the gfcf diet his communication improved as well as many of his repatition and need for strick scheduals. it was a God sent.he was also enrolled in project Able through our local school district that is a very one on one program. most areas have really great public programs. speach theripy and and ocup. theripist also helped in the begining shortly after he was diag. stay strong and be patient above all be an advocite for your son.

Stacey - posted on 12/07/2009

Hi Jessica, my son is 2 1/2, he has been on the gfcf diet for about 5 months now and we are seeing some real improvements in him, definately worth looking into, www.tacanow.org has some good info on it, it may seem very daunting and can be very hard in the first few weeks, but it does get easier and can be well worth the effort. I also love the pecs system if your son still has trouble with speech or communicating what he wants, its basically picture cards for them to use to communicate, check out www.pecsaustralia.com. We are also looking at implementing biomedical treatments, have you heard about DAN! Drs, that stands for Defeat Autism Now and they are Drs who specialise in treating Autism with diet and biomedical treatments. There are companies out there which train Dogs to be an aid for children with Autism, like a guide dog, one company is called righteous pups Australia. We also do speech pathology and he goes to a special school for early intervention. Hope this helps, but just keep searching and reading and you will find things that suit you and your son, good luck.

Judi - posted on 12/07/2009

Start with Speech therapy - we used the Hanan More than words method, Look at communication not just speech. Occupational Therapy, ABA, DIR, Music do what you think will work. Pick 2 or 3 therapies and do them well.

Toilet training I can't help you with because Ricky my little man is still working towards toilets. But there are heaps of sites/books etc speak with you OT about it and watch "Toms toilet triumph" it is graphic so if you don't like cartoon poo don't watch it.

DIR (which is the path we took) follows the childs lead and expands on those idea's. It takes time remember to silently count to 10 in your head before answering/doing what you want to happen. Use pictures and words for the steps ASD kids are visual, check out PECS, www.do2learn.com. Take an hour out of your day and spend it completely with Christian pick 1 subject a book he likes, a movie anything and think of 5 activities to do based around that subject eg:
The very hungery catapiller Book by Eric Carr
1. Read the book - counting the food, holding his hand to point to something
2. Rolling him up in a blanket "oh no Christian's a caterpiller in his cacoon"
3. Threading to make the caterpiller
4. Painting to make butterflies
5. Butterfly and caterpiller songs and dancing
also moving to the food and tasting it, playdough caterpillers etc etc

That's just one example. We did 4 lots of this a day and can say that it is worth it.

Also, get respite, join a toy library, and don't get me started on idea's with shaving cream.

Kylie - posted on 12/07/2009

i have a four year old boy with aspergers syndrome which is a form of autism, ok firstly find a go psychologist that both you and your son are comfortable with there are playgroups for austic children, theres is also a mothers group for austic parents where you can relax have a cuppa and share stories and get ideas from other mums going through what you are going through. Find a good kindy for him one where they will help you and your son my boy starts kindy next year and if has trouble couping or learning they will mget him a teacher and give him one one time to help so just keep your eyes and ears open their is help available and lastly good luck and spend lots of quality time with your precious boy dont forget time for you to unwind and most importantly have fun

Jessica - posted on 12/06/2009

Sorry should of been more clear, Christian is only saying hand ful of words and doesnt always talk when prompted but just on his "own". Were also having issues with potty training, since the lack of communication is there, its been a challenge. Ive read tons of Autism books and online articles. I just recently bought a book called Raindrops on Roman in hopes of more ideas, etc.

Magen - posted on 12/06/2009

Advice or ideas about what? In general trust your gut and fight for your child!