by Pat on Feb 28, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Filed in
I'm at a loss. I feel helpless, sadness and most of all, anger. My cousin has a beautiful little boy who just turned 4 and he is autistic. The problem is my cousin is either in serious denial or just doesn't care. My entire family has known that he is autistic for the past 2-3 years. We begged my cousin to have him tested but she chose not to. In her mind the fact that her child can memorize just about anything even though he can't communicate makes him gifted. We tried explaining to her that if she has him diagnosed before the age of 3 that the state provides a program free of charge where someone will come to her home and work with him to get him prepared for school. She still declined to get him tested. My aunt, his grandmother is an absolutely wonderful woman. During this time that her daugter kept turning a blind eye my aunt began researching autism, attending rallies and speaking to parents with autistic children. I was doing research myself and giving my aunt copies of anything I could find. After a lot of pushing my aunt got my cousin to take him to a neurologist I believe it was. He was diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately it was past the time where they could have had someone come and work with him but at least he was finally diagnosed. Now comes the anger. The neurologist has referred my cousin to a physician who specializes in autism but there is a waiting list and his appointment isn't until June. However, within a month or so of being diagnosed my cousin who was in such denial has had no problem making sure that her son now receives SSI. I wouldn't have a problem with that but just last week the physician who will be seeing him set up an informational meeting for the parents whose children will be her patients. That evening my aunt offered to watch my cousins children (he has an older brother) so that my cousin and her husband could attend the meeting. My aunt got a phone call stating that a friend had stopped by my cousins house and since they had company had decided not to attend the meeting. I'm so angry I don't know what to do. My heart hurts the most for my aunt, she loves My aunt loves him so much and is absolutely beside herself. My apologies for using your website to vent, this is the first time I've really let my feelings out. I don't know if I'm looking for solutions (if there are any) or like I said, juat a place to let my feelings out. Thank You!
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by Pat on Feb 28, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Filed in Autism Family Facts | Parenting Autistic Children | Stories from Readers
Before I realized my younger son has autism, I thought he had a language delay because he comes from deaf parents. It is typical for any hearing children of deaf parents but I didn't realize I had missed all of the red flags. For instance, he had a real bad temper tantrum by throwing things up in the air, dashing it off where there were many busy cars, pointed at things that he wanted, kept waking up in the middle of the night to sleep with us, and interacted with anyone except me. He did not have any language or use sign language at 3 1/2.
This has changed after I worked non-stop with him on every possible language for 3 1/2 years. His language, interaction, emotions and so forth has changed a whole lot. At age 6 1/2, he now speaks 8 words per sentences or 3 short sentences even fooled many of his teachers (GE teacher, SLP,and RSP) that we went on a trip to London on our Fall Break. This includes to teaching to use his emotions. He only can use: angry, mad, scary, sad, hurt, weird, and grumpy. While we are still working on his language, he uses lots of verbal language more than sign language. His receptive skills in sign language is GREAT because he usually replied in verbally. He only express signs a little bit such as
"Chocolate Milk Please."
I must say that to all of the parents with autistic kids, "Don't give up, be patience and keep working in every possible you can think of something." That includes giving your child some rewarding for efforts.
by Pat on Feb 28, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Filed in autism support groups
My wife and have an adult son w/Aspergers. We are looking for support groups in Rockford, ILor surrounding area. We would appreciate any insight or help.
by Pat on Feb 13, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Filed in Autism and Vaccines
Court rules that vaccines are not to blame for autism. This decision dealt a blow to parents who sincerely believe that their children were developing normally prior to having certain vaccinations.
by Pat on Feb 6, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Filed in Autism and Stress | Parenting Autistic Children | Stories from Readers | Treatment for Autistic Children
Hello- I found your website after watching a video clip from Nancy Grace. I laughed and cried as I read the story of your family. So many issues are the same that we live with. I am a single Mom of an almost 10 year old son who was diagnosed at 4 with high functioning autism, hypotonia and developmental dyspraxia. He is a charming, funny 4th grader who has made huge progress in all area's of his life. We have had to deal with bouts of aggression, which have been scary for me. He is currently 5 foot 1 and almost as tall as his Mom! He takes the medication Luvox to help with his compulsive behaviors. The question I have is if you have had any success with medications for your son. he seems to have an off-cycle, he is tired and lethargic in the mornings and very active at night. he has trouble getting to sleep, and once asleep has trouble waking. It has been mentioned to me that a 2nd medication may balance him out and make his cycle more "usual". My son is defiant at home and school and does not want to cooperate with requests and demands. Michael is very bright, but does not comply with school work. He often has trouble focusing, especially if it is not a subject that interests him. I am looking everywhere for information that can possibly help my son.
Thank you! Looking forward to your book.