Moms of Autistic Children

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  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
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    My 12 year old with autism is playing in his first middle school football game tonight. I'm so nervous.
  • dolly3186
    dolly3186 Posts: 81 Member
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    My 12 year old with autism is playing in his first middle school football game tonight. I'm so nervous.

    How did it go? :)
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
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    My 12 year old with autism is playing in his first middle school football game tonight. I'm so nervous.
    How did it go? :)

    His team won. He got a little playing time in the first quarter until he missed a tackle. After the game, he said, "I almost tackled a guy but he slipped out of my hands. In football, we call that 'butterfingers' ". I guess he thinks that's a technical football term! He was happy about the win.
  • dolly3186
    dolly3186 Posts: 81 Member
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    My 12 year old with autism is playing in his first middle school football game tonight. I'm so nervous.
    How did it go? :)

    His team won. He got a little playing time in the first quarter until he missed a tackle. After the game, he said, "I almost tackled a guy but he slipped out of my hands. In football, we call that 'butterfingers' ". I guess he thinks that's a technical football term! He was happy about the win.

    LOL Butterfingers...that is too cute!! I'm so glad that he had a good time. I love hearing all these stories. They uplift me so much and give me so much hope for my son. I know he is so little now that a lot of progress can be made.
  • dolly3186
    dolly3186 Posts: 81 Member
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    How is everyone doing? I'm interested in this thread still, so hopefully some of you that replied can update me/us on how your little ones are doing.

    My son is 17 months now and he still has no language at all. He sees a developmental specialist who does therapy with him 3x a week. We have an official appointment with a behavioral pediatrician on October 24th. I'm very nervous although I am fairly certain now that he will be diagnosed. The more I read, the more and more everything looks like my son. He still has no language as I said, but he also won't point or show interest in sharing toys with me or anything, he also doesn't wave bye bye or hi or anything.

    The good news is that he is making progress. After 2 nights of teaching, he finally knows how to give a high five! That was so exciting to me.

    He also learned recently how to play with a toy car with me. Before he would spend time sitting on the floor spinning the wheels of the car and not playing with it. His father and I rolled the car back and forth to each other and to him and even though it took a long while, he started to get it and started rolling it back and forth with us like it was a fun game.

    I almost cried whem he did that. It's funny the things you get excited about...things like rolling a car back and forth. :)

    Just wondering how everyone's doing. Any more advice or info i'd appreciate it! I've been having good days, but there are still some bad ones thrown in that I cry. But then I get over it. :)
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
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    That's so cool that he can give a high five and play cars with you!

    David is doing well in 7th grade. He's been playing football and doesn't even care that it's the "B" team or that he doesn't start. He gets some playing time and that's enough for him. I even saw him trash-talking his defender during the last game. Ha!

    He still has no friends and says kids make fun of him, but he says it's better than 6th grade. He's happy and likes school, so no complaints so far.
  • Charlie003
    Charlie003 Posts: 1,333 Member
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    You guys should be given medals. I know families with autistic children. It is a lot of work and sacrifice.
  • daughterofthesea
    daughterofthesea Posts: 82 Member
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    Hi everyone!

    I'm 26 years old and could really use some support. Maybe I'll find someone on here that's going through the same issues.

    My son is 15 months old and he's been seeing Early Intervention because he isn't speaking yet. The woman we've been seeing had a meeting with me last night and told me she's seeing "red flags" for autism.

    I'm at a loss and don't know what to do. I feel like my world is crumbling down around me and could really use some support. Are there other moms out there that can shed some light/hope?

    Also - what are everyone's thoughts on diagnosis? Doesn't 15 months old seem a little early to be even suggesting autism?

    The youngest I've heard of autism being diagnosed is 18 months so I wouldn't panic just yet. However I would check for the following:

    - Does he make eye contact?
    - Does he enjoy cuddles and affection?
    - Does he do repetitive activities such as putting things in the same order repeatedly?

    I'm not qualified in any field but I have Asperger Syndrome and am writing my dissertation on autism and music therapy for my final year of university.

    Best of luck honey
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
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    You guys should be given medals. I know families with autistic children. It is a lot of work and sacrifice.

    Thank you. It's not always easy, but I've learned so much about life through David's eyes.
  • dolly3186
    dolly3186 Posts: 81 Member
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    That's so cool that he can give a high five and play cars with you!

    David is doing well in 7th grade. He's been playing football and doesn't even care that it's the "B" team or that he doesn't start. He gets some playing time and that's enough for him. I even saw him trash-talking his defender during the last game. Ha!

    He still has no friends and says kids make fun of him, but he says it's better than 6th grade. He's happy and likes school, so no complaints so far.

    Haha, trash talking! That's too funny!! I hope my son talks one day. He is still so young, but to not hear your baby babble or say "mama" or "dada"...oh, gosh, it breaks my heart.

    That's what I'm so scared of. I don't want my son picked on in school...(even though it is a long time away still.) Kids can be so cruel.

    However, I did come across an awesome article online. I think it was somewhere in Colorado, (not positive) where just recently an autistic teenage boy was named prom king. It was really sweet, kind of made me tear up. This teenager had so many friends in high school and was well loved by everyone. I'm not sure the exact link, just google "autistic boy homecoming king" or something like that. I highly recommend it. I hope my son gets treated so well when he's in school.
  • dolly3186
    dolly3186 Posts: 81 Member
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    The youngest I've heard of autism being diagnosed is 18 months so I wouldn't panic just yet. However I would check for the following:

    - Does he make eye contact?
    - Does he enjoy cuddles and affection?
    - Does he do repetitive activities such as putting things in the same order repeatedly?

    I'm not qualified in any field but I have Asperger Syndrome and am writing my dissertation on autism and music therapy for my final year of university.

    Best of luck honey

    That's so cool that you're writing your dissertation on autism and music therapy! How great!! My son does make eye contact with me and that's about it. He only seems to make consistent eye contact with myself and his father. It's like he could care less when other people come into a room or try to interact with him. He LOVES cuddles though, so that's good. He doesn't line things up, but he does this scratching thing with almost everything...especially strings. He loves strings! And leaves...he will just happily walk around clutching a leaf or a string in his hand and scratching it with his fingers. It looks odd to others, but it makes him so happy I just let him do it. I wonder if that's bad or not? Should i be trying to get him away from doing that? I don't know...

    Music therapy though...that's interesting. I noticed that when I sing silly songs to my son or he hears any music at all he gets very excited. He absolutely loves music. He actually makes the best eye contact with me when I'm singing to him. He just smiles and laughs and enjoys it.
  • RunningDirty
    RunningDirty Posts: 293
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    My little guy has AS and we started intervention when he turned three. We first started through the county's early intervention program and then I went private through insurance. Both sides have their benefits. By facing those developmental 'flags' many mentioned here as early as possible, you will be amazed at the progress you will see in your child. I now see AS as a gift, where before I used to fight the diagnosis as much as possible. It's a scary road going through this with your child and developmental issues can change so much through the toddler years it feels like a roller coaster that's never going to end.

    There are some great resources mentioned here and I can also suggest trusting your mommy instinct! If something doesn't seem right about the diagnosis, push harder for more opinions. I had three different teams all come to the same conclusion before I was satisfied we were on the right path. I'm also a little stubborn though. :wink:

    Best of luck to you and your child. :flowerforyou:
  • MaryRegs
    MaryRegs Posts: 272 Member
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    My youngest is an Aspie, and was diagnosed at age 5. We put an IEP in place starting in first grade...and he is now a freshman in high school. There is alot of information out there-and I echo everyone who has encourage you to educate yourself. Autism Speaks is a wonderful resource, and has a kit designed for families who have just received a diagnosis. You can do this-we have been there..and still are. My boy is perfect just as he is....
  • jogo8995
    jogo8995 Posts: 75 Member
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    Hi everyone!

    I'm 26 years old and could really use some support. Maybe I'll find someone on here that's going through the same issues.

    My son is 15 months old and he's been seeing Early Intervention because he isn't speaking yet. The woman we've been seeing had a meeting with me last night and told me she's seeing "red flags" for autism.

    I'm at a loss and don't know what to do. I feel like my world is crumbling down around me and could really use some support. Are there other moms out there that can shed some light/hope?

    Also - what are everyone's thoughts on diagnosis? Doesn't 15 months old seem a little early to be even suggesting autism?
  • maab_connor
    maab_connor Posts: 3,927 Member
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    keep in mind that Autism is a spectrum. and that the diagnosis does NOT mean he won't have a happy, fulfilling life.

    http://www.amazon.com/Autism-Spectrum-Disorders-Understanding-Developmental/dp/0399530479/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349977837&sr=1-1&keywords=autism+spectrum+disorders

    i reccomend that one, as it deals with the whole spectrum.

    if he IS on the spectrum, it's invaluable to know WHERE b/c then you can start early working w/ a behavioral development specailist. the earlier this is caught, the earlier you can start teaching him in HIS way and the more he will be able to retain.
  • baptiste565
    baptiste565 Posts: 590 Member
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    my son is 2 and nowhere near talking. he is receiving early intervention.
  • kathim429
    kathim429 Posts: 379 Member
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    Hi, Obviously I am not a mom but my son is 7.5 yrs old and is high functioning autistic. He is very stubborn and will not try many foods. Normally he eats junk. I was wondering if anyone here has any experience getting their child to: 1. Eat and 2. Eat something more than nutella.

    Thanks

    Our son used to only want to eat Cheerios, chicken nuggets, milk, and pasta (preferably mac and cheese). I found out later that seriously picky eating (called self-limiting) is very likely to indicate an allergy to those very foods they are limiting themselves to. In your case, depending on what his self-limiting foods are, he may benefit from a gluten free/casein free diet.

    By the way, now one of his favorite meals is actually salmon with broccoli and rice.

    Also, for anyone interested in exploring diet changes, there is an absolutely excellent book by Karen Seroussi, called Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother's Story of Research & Recovery.

    Thank you for the book suggestion! My son falls somewhere in the Spectrum, the doctor is leaning toward PDD. I will have to check it out.

    My son LOVES to help in the kitchen and loves to cook. However, if a food does not smell right to him (even if he tasted it and/or cooked it and liked it) he will not eat it.
  • SusieGirlRN
    SusieGirlRN Posts: 104 Member
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    OK ~ didn't have time to read all of these posts, but will. Just want to say that it has been said that:

    If you know One child with autism, then you know One child with autism.

    The spectrum is so wide & the symptoms vary so greatly, but we can all support each other because of the common bond, the joy the children bring to our lives & of course the difficulties.

    Take each day, or moment at a time & learn the needs of your child.

    This works with autism, or not.

    My son is 9 y/o & has a long string of DX: Autism / Tourettes / Mood Disorder NOS, he is somewhere on the spectrum is what they say.

    Some days may be more challenging than others, but tap into those resources & perhaps one day you will find that you don't need them. You will be grateful they are there when you do :flowerforyou:
  • pixelberry
    pixelberry Posts: 167 Member
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    Both of my now 5-year-old fraternal twin sons were diagnosed as being on the ASD spectrum when they were 18 months old, however, the one I suspected there was something wrong at 12 months.

    The one twin with the more severe ASD also has texture sensitivities so I could never try the GAPS diet on him. In fact, I'm still having problems with his food sensitivities and have been considering employing an occupational therapist on top of his ABA therapy. He's also in an ABA kindergarten class.

    The other twin, once he started talking, has yet to stop. There are still a few issues with him (no problems with the eating like his brother), but he's now to the point he's in a generalized kindergarten class with "normal" kids and he's functioning well.

    My state school sponsored system offered the "Hanen: More Than Words" workshop while they were both in early intervention. You can also pick up the book on Amazon -- this helped both kids IMMENSELY with their speaking. The sooner you get help for your kid with whatever delayed learning disability, the better off they'll be in the long run.

    Best of luck to you!
  • dolly3186
    dolly3186 Posts: 81 Member
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    Thanks for the book recommendations everyone! I'm becoming so educated on this subject, I could build a library with all the books I have. :)

    Also, can anyone shed some light on their children with speaking? That's my main concern for my son. He doesn't even babble and he's going to be 18 months old next month. He laughs and squeals when he's happy, and when he's running around he makes the "Uhhhh" noise, but that's it. No other sounds or vocalization at all.

    I've heard stories of children just starting to talk randomly one day. Anyone have any experience with that? I'm sooo praying one day for my son to say "mommy" to me.

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