Is this normal 8 year old behavior or maybe Autism related?

Deanna - posted on 12/08/2008

Hi,

I understand what you are going through. My son is 11 years old. He is normally this shy sweet sweet boy. I'm still waiting for him to go through the reasoning stage, which he should have hit by 6 years old. My son Christian has gotten worse over the years but my approach with him has gotten better. He has daily meltdowns which we ignore. This has worked out quite well for us because his meltdowns are getting shorter in time. Everyone stays away from him, myself and his brothers. When he is finished I wait till he comes to me. He usually will stand in my doorway and wait for me to say something. I usually invite him in and play a game. While playing the game I do talk with him very briefly on his behavior. Never yelling or pushing the subject to far. Sometimes I get an "I'm sorry, Mommy". Everyday is a new day and a fresh start. Remember your not alone.

Amy - posted on 12/08/2008

|My son snaps his fingers constantly. I know, it's a little thing but it drives me crazy!!!! Sometimes he does it because he doesn't realize it and other times he is doing it because it is annoying someone. We just ask him to stop and he usually does, Now he tends to start up again, but you can definitely tell if he is doing it to irritate by th smile on his face. I agree with the other mom. It might be autistic behavior and it might not be, you just have to know what you can and can't tolerate. Somethings we just won't ever understand why they do it.

Jennifer - posted on 12/08/2008

Trust me, I have no intention of letting it be ok even if it is an Autistic behavior. It really just helps me understand why he's doing it and how to approach him. When he doesn't realize he is doing things he gets very upset for getting in trouble.
I don't know what he knows of his diagnosis. He knows that he has to take medicine to help him concentrate at school (ADHD) and that he has to go to Speech and have a little extra help at school but other than that I don't think he really thinks about the why. We haven't sat him down and talked to him about the Autism but he was there when the doctor gave the diagnosis and I have learned that he is listening even when I think he isn't so I have no Idea what he knows or understands.

Heather - posted on 12/08/2008

Made a type -o there..Brain is aware that he has autism.. not away that he has autism.

Heather - posted on 12/08/2008

Hi Jennifer, My son Brian is now 12 and also has ASD high functioning. People used to tell me that this and that behaviour was a result of him having Autism. I on the other hand look at the behaviour and ask myself if it is an acceptable behaviour or action or attitude as in your situation. If I found it was not to my liking I set down rules with consequences. Brian understands what he is allowed to do and what he isn't and realizes that some things are not acceptable and those have consequences. It didn't take to long either for things to come back to a level ground. Brian is away that he has Autism I am assuming that your son also is aware of his diagnosis. This in a sense gives the child a form of power or testing if you may. They will test you to see how much they can get away with. It is all in the matter of how much you can tolerate or like I said what is acceptable for you.

I didn't let the professionals tell me what is Autism behaviour and what is typical I just went with what I can tolerate and what I can't.. Kind of like picking and choosing your battles.

I hope that helps you