hi my 3 year old has autism and i am having a hard time dealing with it. well somedyas are better than others. anyone else out there with an autism spectrum child? >^..^<

My nephew (who lives with me) was just diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome a few weeks ago. It is quite a challenge sometimes, but in a way, it was a relief for all of us to find out what was going on with him. Does your son have classic autism, AS, or high-functioning autism?

pdd and is nonverbal though he is talking a bit more than he did.

My nephew mainly has problems with social skills. He has no friends, and lacks the ability to make and keep friends. He also has some basic vocabulary problems. He has a few very intense interests and he uses huge words when it comes to those, but he doesn't know a lot of words that are age appropriate, that he should have picked up on by now. Like when he was being evaluated, they showed him a picture of a teacup and he called it a bowl with a handle.

It has gotten so much better, though, as he has gotten older. When he was a toddler, he got kicked out of several schools, and was pretty much unmanageable, but he's so sweet now. It's just really hard watching the other kids make fun of him, and he doesn't even realize it.

I am a speech language pathologist and I work with children across the spectrum. I'd be happy to help you if there is anything you need. If you have questions or want to know more about how to work with your child, I'd be glad to try and answer.

Beth, I have a GREAT magazine dedicated to Asperger's. It's an INTERVENTION magazine from 2001 put out by ProEd (which is a great company with reliable information). They did one issue solely for asperger's. I just photocopied it for one of my kid's parents. Its got all kinds of great articles. including one with tips for teachers thats great for handing out at school. If you are interested, I could mail you a copy. My office is locked up for the summer, but I believe I'll see the mom I copied it for again soon. My roommate teaches her asperger's kindergartener chess lessons. haha. i could borrow her copy and copy it for you if you like? there are so many random things on the internet, and not all are accurate. The mom I copied it for read it in one night. She loved it.

best of luck to you both. its a tough road but these kids can be so interesting and special. I really enjoy working with kids on the spectrum. with good parent involvement, they can make progress for sure.

Also, berry, if your child is not receiving speech therapy, get him in right away. You can get it free from the state. Since he is 3 and not yet enrolled in school, they are still serviced by the public school. My kiddos that are 3 come in the morning and I see them just like I would see the kids that are enrolled. Its totally free, but you have to pursue it and a lot of parents don't know.

XOXO
Beth

"Avalon" takes care of autistic kids part time, or did do, and may still do, but she very seldomly comes here to post, apart from once or twice (5 times at best is my guess) per year.

She'll soon be getting a busy job in traffic control too so I gather, I think thats right.

Thanks, dakinirawk, that would be great! We're still learning about it, and my sister's having a hard time knowing how to explain it to people, like teachers, and family. It doesn't help that his father is in denial about it. He implies all the time that it's my sister's fault that he has no friends, and that he's "a perfectly normal kid". Yeah, what does he know, anyway. He sees him once a week, if that. So, yeah. Any information you have would be helpful!

I think this book is a fabulous contribulation to the body of knowledge re: autism. Read the reviews at the bottom. I recommend to anyone who cares about anyone with autism. It will help some people more than others, but will be a waste of time for no one.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0767907981/qid=1086050806/sr=8-4/ref=pd_ka_4/103-2535343-8337426?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

I would like a copy of that article, too. I'd gladly pay for it.

I think I'll order the book too. I'd read before about diet and autism and would like to learn more. Hopefuly my sister will be interested in reading it, too.

My niece has Asperger's. Not sure how I can help, but I do know that she is a wonderful child, and that my sister would do anything to have custody of her, despite all the difficulty that can sometimes be involved. It is becoming a more widely accepted diagnosis, and there are even special schools devoted to special kids like that, where their needs are better understood, and they learn skills to help them thrive.

Hi guys,I work in a transition program teaching young adults (18-26) life skills. We have 33 students. About half are autistic,the others down,EI,and physiclly and cog. impaired. But speech is really VERY important. The students I get are now learning job skills and skills that will allow them to live more independent lives. I see the young kids at the elementry level and it amazes me how far they can go and have gone by the time they reach my students age group. PT and OT are a big help,but speech is the bulk of the ed. procces.

My baby brother is Autistic. I think he is a very amazing and incredible being. He has taught me so much about love. Our relationship has made me understand Autism on a personal level, it has forced me to tap into his imaginative world. He lives in a hyperspacial place and he brings me magic from there everyday. I truly hope to learn more about his realm, I think it's fascinating. And for those who have trouble communicating or understanding Autistic I think the best place to start it to engage in their world, show love, and play always.

<3 n i n a

My mum has looked after an autistic boy who I would literally consider my brother since he was born. He is about to turn 4 years old in October. It took him longer to walk, though he is running about now. It has taken him longer to talk, though he has the ability to replicate what others have said to him and has an astounding memory in my opinion - it takes him long to learn something but once he has it, he never forgets it.

He interacts with people for different reasons, or for example, everyone has a different role in his life and he will not carry these roles or interactions with others. I sing a lullaby with him, he loves it and will only sing it back when I am around. My mum he cuddles her to death!! But for example would never cuddle me. He can say all his colours from looking at them. He can count to 10. He is not yet able to fully feed himself and alot of his problems are with regards to his diet - sugar sugar sugar. Its all he wants and all he will eat.

His mum does know of another couple who have a child with autisim and this child began eating healthier food once he turned 5. Hopefully the same will happen with this wee boy :)

He LOVES ripping paper for some reason :) On many occasions he rips mags, before my mum even gets to read them! He has also ripped his sisters homework books!

He now goes to nursery school, which he hated. The transition was hard as I am sure you are aware that people with autism are fond of structure and routine. But he is now doing well, loves the sand pit, was even talking gobbledigook with a little girl the other day and laughing! It was great to hear he was interacting with someone, as for his first few classes he ignored everyone around him.

He is not yet potty trained, but that no doubt will be the next big step.

I have to say, he has done nothing but bring complete joy to my mums life and he can be so loving. BUT he can also be much harder than the other children my mum looked after. He has little concept of danger and no concept of the word 'no'. He needs to be watched 24/7.

I hope things will become easier for you, but in my little experience with stefan it has been learning as you go along. It doesnt really have to be this way, but his mother is still in quite alot of denial with regards to his condition. She does plan for him to go to a mainstream school, but personally I doubt his ability - I do not know whether it would be of benefit to him. I worry that it would give him less of a chance of doing well. But we will see.

Take care.