Autism/asperger's signs..hope this might help

[maz]

I wanted to put this up for some of those who have doubts about their children and wonder if their child is showing traits of being on the Autism/asperger's spectrum.

Some of the signs that you could possible watch for:

* Kid's on the spectrum dont respond in the same way as children that arent, they may not responed to you if you call their name.. What might seem to be total ignorance to you, is them not 'listening' to their surrounds as it doesnt interest them, so they are then ignoring the sound as they dont see it as something that is important to them. Some children do talk....but it is most common echolalic of what you are saying and they have no idea what the words actually mean

* Attention span is something that is very minimal to kids on the spectrum. They dont have the focus or ability to assess or process some movements or objects, eg when another child throws a ball at them, yet seem fixated on a bit of thread or how the tree's move in the breeze

* Kids on the spectrum dont understand facial expressings...eg smiling, sadness. There is no word or simple gesture for them to comprehend that a smile means that someone is happy.

* Social skills are the big one. Many kids on the spectrum have no empathy, have no concept of hurting someones feelings, understanding basic verbal social cues and often laugh when someone is crying. Many can be non responsive and shrug it off so to speak.

* Many kids on the spectrum lack imagination. You can usually see this when kids play together and the child sit's on the outter because again their are no actual words......a child on the spectrum sees things in black and white...so pretending to be a fireman with no fire to put out, cant be comprended

* strange jerking movements are a big sign. Flapping hands or arms, circling around and around continuously...liking pressure when upset.....often they dont like being touched at all. SOme may even choose to rock back and thro for comfort and some clasp there hands over their ears when feeling anxious and vunerable

* visual obsessions like spinning wheels....eg turning a car on its side and sitting and spinning the wheels on it, fans when they are on are a clear sign. A normal child would play with a car with noises and pretending to be with one with the car.

* excessive clingyness to you......no-one can come to your house without the child screaming or getting tramatised. Even going out to shopping centres when other people make eye contact can trigger of a melt down....certain situations...certain people can start them off......you leaving the room can trigger a panic attack but once you are out of eye sight the child will settle yet be unresponsive


How do I know about this?......I have lived it since January 2002 and everyday since.

I often read sign's of kids that sound like their on the spetrum. My only advice for those parents....as hard as it is to do.....go see your MCHN or GP and voice your concerns. Ask for a referal to a Pead so you can get onto early intervention as quick as you can.if your doctor doesnt listen, PUSH the issue, get a second opinion....if it wasnt for 'catching' it in our boy so early, I doubt he would be were he is today.

As a parent it hurts to know that you child isnt perfect.....I felt like I had failed my son, my family by producing a child with a disability...I mourned the normal child we had and it was extremely hard to say yes my child has a disability.

Parent's sacrifise so much...our bodies, our minds and perfect worlds so to speak. The hardest one I have found from people is pride, we dont want to admit something is wrong...so to sacrifise that for the sake of your child is the greatest one of them all.

Hug's to those who felt the need to have to read this. Being a parent is hard enough...let alone having one with a disability. Just know that you are a great parent and that your child is extremely lucky ot have such a wonderful one at that.