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.

[~Raven~]

Thanks for posting that Maz

[mrsmac]

Thankyou for posting that Maz, we are at the point where we know somethng is different about DS but are not sure what. DH has been reading up on autism and there are many red flags for us but none of the ones you have mentioned. Are they more indicative of autism than others? DH says i keep coming up with reasons why not instead of looking at the reasons for yes it is a spectrum disorder.

[maz]

Hon...first of all ...its hard when our kid's are different from the 'norm'.

the spectrum in so big hon...these are just things that I myself have experienced with W and wanted to share for those who have doubts.

FWIW my hubby didnt want to know either.....he kept saying things like no...its normal he's not on the spectrum ect. Its perfectly normal to be in denial about your child not being the perfect little package that others have. Men arent around our children all the time either due to wrok commitments so as mum's we see so much more of their behaviours ect.

I honestly think if you have an incling something isnt right, go to your MCHN or doctor and voice your concerns. Whats the harm of having him checked...the best outcome would be to be told your child is normal and experiencing normal behaviour

[mrsmac]

Thanks Maz, I have been talking to the early intervention teacher at school and to the lovely Christy and we are now leaning towards some sort of sensory disorder. A mum at school has given me the name of an OT who specialies in Sensory problems and the EI teacher has confirmed that this lady is the best around so I will call her for an appt and go from there.

[maz]

Christy is about one of the best chickies you could have to lean on hon..... which reminds me I must ring her lol
well done on taking the steps to a little understanding for yourself. Its bloody hard hon but it will be so rewarding in the end.

[Glamourcide]

Thanks for posting this, Maz... my friend's 2-year-old DS has just been diagnosed as 'severely' autistic (whatever that means) and has been showing all these symptoms and more pretty much since birth (he didn't even want to come out of his mum's belly lol, she went two weeks overdue and the induction failed, he refused to budge so she had a c-sec). The sad thing is that his dad and grandparents flat-out refuse to believe there's anything 'wrong' with him and are forever berating my friend for her 'bad parenting', accusing her of deliberately holding back his development in order to get attention and sympathy for herself. She's the one who has been fighting long and hard to get someone to tell her how to help her little man, and even though her (now ex) partner was with her at the latest doctor's appointment, he still thinks she's somehow at fault and that there's really nothing so odd about him anyway. Even his parents are now in on the act - they're shirty that a diagnosis has said their grandson isn't 'perfect' and are now demanding that my friend give them back his cot, changetable, clothes and toys that they've bought him, etc etc... pair of ****s.
I wish I could print Maz's post out and give it to him, try and get him to wake up to himself and admit that his gorgeous little man needs help, not denial, but obviously it's not my place to stick my nose in. All I can do is support my friend and try to help her as best I can. I don't know what the future holds for them, but I hope he can get the treatment he needs without his father and grandparents interfering because they're 'ashamed' of him.

[maz]

What a truely wonderful friend you are Donna. Its so heart warming to know that a mum who is going through this has such a wonderful support and friend.

Denial is easier sometimes then dealing with what is right infront of their nose, and blame often follows suit . Friends who dont understand that your life must revolve around this little person or have an unwillingness to 'put up' you or you child turn and walk away 9 time out of ten. Its extremely heart warming to know that your friend has you to turn to when she needs it.

I hope that your friend is aware of what is available to her in regards to career payments and respite also. Although most of us mum'/s with childrne with special needs are very proud to say we can do it on our own, we do need a break of some sort and if there isnt a significant other there to help...respite can do wonders.

your put a huge smile on my dial

[~ Mylitta ~]

Maz, my heart goes out to you, and to all those in similar situations. I have not been diagnosed with anything on the autistic spectrum (although my brothers' psychiatrist suspects ADHD...), but I have lived with others on the spectrum since I was a child. Two of my brothers were diagnosed with ADHD as children. The diagnosis came when they were about 3-4 years old, after we had gone through numerous other avenues to work out what was "wrong" with them. These included naturopath, counselling, dietitian, occupational therapy (the coordination stuff...), chiropractors and so on. They are now 21 years old, and since their initial diagnosis there have unfortunately been many that have followed. One brother is "lucky" and only has ADHD, Asperger's and mild OCD. The other brother is not so fortunate and has been diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger's, OCD, Bi-polar and something else that I'm forgetting. I believe their current diagnosis is sort of being collectively classed under the term "Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS".

It's been a long (sometimes rough) road for them but they are doing well. The less affected brother has completely a tafe course, and the more affected brother is now working full time in a great job at Connex.

Just to add to the excitement though, my eldest DSS has ADHD. He started highschool this year and is unfortunately having a bit of a tough time. He gets into trouble quite a bit both with the teachers, and with the other students. He just has trouble knowing when he's taking things too far, and also tries too hard to be "cool" around other students and gets himself into bad situations. Luckily at heart he's a good, loving boy and we know that he'll get through this just fine with love and support from us.

Something that I've learnt along the way is the value of having a support system for these kids that can be trusted. Good school teachers are an absolute essential. One of my brothers had a teacher at primary school that was dreadful, and he battled with extreme low self-confidence for years to come. We've been really careful to make sure that my DSS's teachers understand his condition and are very supportive. We are in touch with his teachers constantly and his teacher this year has been an absolute treasure!