Information Needed on Autism

About 20 years ago when I hear about autism, I would hear about a child suddenly sitting in the floor, rocking back and forth while spinning a plate infront of them, off in their own little world where they would never let anybody else in. I had never really seen an autistic child at that point. Now, I have an ex-boyfriend who's brother is autistic...and then he's also epileptic, schitzophrenic, and moderately mentally retarded...and the way he suddenly bursts out with "Leave me alone, leave me alone, leave me alone" I'm wondering if he's got terettes on top of it. Problem is that this kid (well, he's not really a kid anymore, he's over 21) has so much wrong with him, that I can't tell what symptoms go to what ailment. BUT, I can tell you this: Take the child to a child Psychiatrist and a child Psychologist. There are a battery of tests that they can put her through and if she is autistic, they will be able to tell you and help you with what ever needs done. Also with her being so young, if you live in Indiana, call first steps and have then give you a referal for an angency that can evaluate her free of charge. In Lafayette, when the kids turn three, the transfer from First Steps to GLASS. It doesn't cost anything to get her evaluated through first steps or glass and the therapy is free also as the state and federal governments give them the grants that they need for this stuff. It's always best when you suspect something is wrong to get it checked out. And don't worry about "what if somethig's not wrong, will I look silly" because the only stupid question a person can have is a question that they don't ask....because if you don't ask, then you'll never know.

1 mom found this helpful

K. -

I am a mother of two, my oldest, has "classic autism" and Kostmanns Syndrome, a bone marrow failure disease that leads to leukemia. Anyways, your post sounded so familiar! My child's behavior and development delay was dismissed as complication to his Kostmanns Syndrome UNTIL he began school. Then it was painfully clear there was something more to the mysteries of his verbal delays (three word sentences at age of 5), fixation on hotwheels, odd repetitive behavior (which started before his first birthday), and lack of social cues. He his very social and always has been, but he dosent understand things like personal space.

Here is a link of the DSM-IV Diagnosis Criteria for Autism. http://web.syr.edu/~rjkopp/data/dsm_criteria.html Perhaps this will help. If you want to chat, you can email me at ____@____.com and I will give you my phone number. I will be happy to share with you all of the information that I have acquired over the past 6+ years. Another good resource is ASA (American Society of Autism).

Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that Autism is a "spectrum" disorder. This means it effects each person differently. Therefor, the best way I know is to seek out a Pediatric Behavior Physician who can evaluate your child both physically, for her health issues, and behaviorally for your concern of Autism.

My personal experience with child psych docs is that they put my child on meds as a "fix all". It did not do any of us any favors. While my child is currently on medication, it is at a therapeutic dose and allows my child to learn to deal with life instead of merely existing. That is why I love the Pediatric Behavior doctors. They are more about teaching the child coping skills verses medicating them into compliance.

OH, just an interesting tid bit, recently there was a story in the Times magazine that indicated that Autism can be seen in infants. I have that article and can mail it to you if you like.

Best of luck!

Jen

K.,

We just had our 3 year old son diagnosed with mild autism. They are so many related disorders and syndromes that you definitely should have her checked. We noticed a lot of behavior issues with our son which prompted us to have him diagnosed. Our first call was to our pediatrician who referred us to a neuropsychologist. Early intervention can make a huge difference so this is something that you should immediately pursue. Even if she is not autistic, there likely could be something else there. Either way, with a diagnosis, you can begin to get her some services that would greatly benefit her.

I don't know much about the autism but a friend of mine has a little boy that had autism and didn't speak much at all until he started learning sign language from a set of baby signing videos. Just a thought on the speach part.

Much luck and many prayers to you and your family. I know how hard it is to be a step mom and have limited say so in the matter!!!!

B.

http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/hw/mental_health/hw152...

This site should give you plenty of information on autism. Hope it helps.

Where are you located at? My Mothers & More group is having a guest speaker talk about Autism. She's the president of the Central Indiana Chapter of the Autism Society of America. If you are in Hamiliton County, you are more than welcome to attend the meeting on Jan 18 (at 7pm). Send me a private message for more details if you're interested.

well the best person to talk to would be my sister, her son has autism. But from the way he acts, it does sound like what he was going through at around the same age. He is now almost 10 years old. But i can say when he was younger he would put up a fight. Tags bothered him, button up shirts still bother him, ummm, he gets fixed on the smallest thing, stuff like, well anything, he just gos in his own world. We see a piece of paper as a piece of paper. Well he would make it to be anything he wants it to be. So anyway, hope that helps you. V.

The walking isn't associated with autism, i'm pretty sure. That sounds more like a physical development issue, I've seen in magazines how somehow the legs don't form correctly, something to do with the akili's tendon. The not talking, however, could. Most children get diagnosed with autism when they start getting to the social age and parents see that they have no interest in socializing with anyone and refuse to talk. Many children with autism are on low levels of learning in most subjects but one or two and the subject they are good in, they're unusually good in. My brother has Asperger's but was not diagnosed until he was in late grade school. If you get the chance, it wouldn't hurt anything to get her tested, boys seem to be more suseptible than girls though. If she was premature, that may have something to do with her development also. The legs however I would get checked by a doctor