Autism - Need advice

Manaris

Hi Everyone,
I am using my Fiance's account to post this query as for some reason I can't see to post a query using the unregistered option. Anyway,
I was wondering if anyone could give me any information with regard to Autism.
My 2 year old nephew has just recently been diagnosed with moderate autism so my family are all trying to come to terms with this. At the moment he has only been diagnosed by a speech therapist and is waiting on official medical diagnosis to confirm what type he has etc. He doesnt speak at all, not even one word, and he never makes eye contact, also he is completely indifferent to the company of people. He's obsessed with watching T.V. adds, and he display's repetitive behaviour when he plays. However, he doesn't mind physical contact and even seems to enjoy being hugged. I was wondering can anyone give me any tips on how to better understand this illness and how (if any) can my family help him with this illness in mind. Also, are there any support groups in Ireland for people in this situation? Any information at all with regard to this condition would be greatly appreciated.

Nevyn

The Irish Society for Autism http://www.iol.ie/~isa1/
http://www.peach.org.uk/Home/
http://www.autismeurope.org/portal/

There are lots of support groups out there, and once you get involved with
irish soc for Autism you and your family will meet lost of people who have faced the same struggle.
It does thankfully seem that your nephew is getting diagnosised good and early and that he is not all that withdrawn which is wonderfull tbh.
There is a program that works with these children to drawn them out and get
them learning and connecting and the sooner the better.

I to think that is great that you are getting involed the more people that a child had in thier life to love and be loved by the better and the more people
that can interact with him as he needs as part of his program/training the better.

I wish you all well.

The Black Oil

Early diagnosis and intervention is important and he is lucky to have that and you too. I think the likes of Applied Behaviour Analysis is used in relation to people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder though I'm not 100% sure on that. In years to come he may go to into mainstream education or specialised education usually with an Individual Education Plan for his needs.

Autism is not an illness, this seems to be a common misconception, it is a neurodevelopmental condition usually affecting social and communication skills as well as other aspects of a child's life. Your nephew is not ill and don't let anyone tell you that he is. He just sees the world in a different way than you do.

Be supportive in whatever way you can and don't let yourself or others just see the diagnosis as I'm sure there's a lot more to him than that, he still has plenty to offer the world.

http://www.nas.org.uk/

Good luck.

Beekay

My nephew also has been diagnosed with autism and also has auditory delay.
The early diagnosis is a big advantage in helping the delvelopment




Information on Autism/Aspergers - http://www.thechildrensclinic.ie/
autism.html

Autism Society of America - http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

Autism Resources - http://www.autism-resources.com/

Wikipedia guide to Autism - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Manaris

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all your comments and feedback. Hopefully my family and I can take on board all your advice and use it for the good of my nephew.

Cheers.

The Black Oil

You're welcome. Found this the other day, seems to be American though.http://www.autismspeaks.org/index2.php?intro=1

There are probably some good books out there, usually there's plenty of info on kids but little on adults. We still have a shortage of psychologists working in education but that's another thread.

http://www.sess.ie/sess/Main/SpecialSchools_Other.htm#autism

cordelia

This post was getting too long. I pm'd it to you. Best of luck to your family. It's wonderful that you're helping them.

smiles

Sounds very similar to my nephews who were diagnosed at the same age (2/3), they were affectionate, but had some triggers (like cutting their food up when they didnt want you too). They would babble to each other, but nothing made any sense.

Now, aged 7, they're in an autistic unit at a special school -- and they talk and are understandable and friendly... it's all in the treatment they get now.

Just to tell you that you and your family's support for your sister/brother and their family is so important, give them as much as you can.

It's not a life sentence, he's still a kid, and he's just going to need more care and attention, don't wrap him up in cotton wool.

Beekay

and also another important thing is,never treat it like a burden.yeah it has its difficult moments but a child with autism will be one of the most unique and fun kids you will ever get to meet.

some of the things they can get interested in is amazing:D

fatherdougalmag

Beekay wrote:

and also another important thing is,never treat it like a burden.yeah it has its difficult moments but a child with autism will be one of the most unique and fun kids you will ever get to meet.

That's a nice way to look at it. In fact, you almost make it sound trendy to have a kid with ASD. Did you even look at the autismspeaks.org vids?

Whilst we might love our children and look on them as unique it is not helped by the sheer and frightening lack of resources here. Schooling is something you take for granted. Do you have any idea what it's like to find a suitable place of education for an Autistic Spectrum Disorder/ASD child? Our own is about to be turfed out of education at the lowly age of 5 because there's nowhere for him to go. Put the home tuition card back in your pocket. That's a cop out. These kids need to be integrated into mainstream schools at their own pace. There's no doubt that a great deal of ASD kids can be integrated into mainstream and lead a normal life albeit at a later age. But our experience is that if you can't be placed, you're left at the side of the road to fend for yourself.

Now, we can only bash the govt so much as we have looked at private options. It should be noted that ASD children need both educational and clinical resources. There doesn't appear to be very many problems with educational resources. But if you try to look for a speech and language and therapist with ASD experience you're looking at 2 to 3 years waiting. That's not early intervention. It's not the govt's fault that there's a shortage. But they can give tax incentives for building/buying in certain areas. We don't need new houses any more. It doesn't sound like the government are short of cash. They could at least fund courses for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, educational psych's, SNA's. Our experience is that they are happy enough to see parents go out of their nut worrying about their kids future secure in the knowledge that they'll turn them into PAYE'ers at the end of the day.

So whilst it's a unique experience to have an ASD child it is not all beer and skittles bringing them up when things are the way they are.

Beekay

Is it wrong for me to point out positives?


Trust me,i know that things are very hard.im very involved with my nephew.
And how difficult it is to get education for children with Autism so they can integrate into society

fatherdougalmag

No you're not wrong to point out positives and I'm sorry if I came across all doom and gloom. I was in no way attacking you. Bit of a rant. Sorry. The people we can talk to are few and far between and typically spend most of our time govt-bashing. In fact, it's something Dept of Ed/Health overlook - parents need support too.

Not only can some of these kids integrate into society but they can go on to become professionals in their field. I believe it's in the nature of their condition to have a great attention to detail and being very determined in what they want out of something. It's just dreadful to think that some of these kids may not progress to realise their full potential due to lack of appropriate education and therapy.

Beekay

fatherdougalmag wrote:

No you're not wrong to point out positives and I'm sorry if I came across all doom and gloom. I was in no way attacking you. Bit of a rant. Sorry. The people we can talk to are few and far between and typically spend most of our time govt-bashing. In fact, it's something Dept of Ed/Health overlook - parents need support too.

Not only can some of these kids integrate into society but they can go on to become professionals in their field. I believe it's in the nature of their condition to have a great attention to detail and being very determined in what they want out of something. It's just dreadful to think that some of these kids may not progress to realise their full potential due to lack of appropriate education and therapy.

I know exactly what you mean about becoming professionals in their field and having great attentionto detail.

It is very frustrating that the help isn't out there in good supply.

Aliceann

On the positive side your little nephew has a received a diagnosis at a relatively young age. This is a bonus as early intervention is very important for children on the spectrum. I have worked with children on the autistic spectrum for a number of years now . I would strongly advise his parents to seek a qualified ABA home tutor as soon as possible. They may be entitled to a Home tutoring grant. Contact the Dept of Education, Special needs section. An experienced home tutor will develop programs specific to his needs. In addition children with autism tend to have sensory issues and he may need the input of an occupational therapist. Last but not least, put his name down in any of the ABA schools or outreach classe as there are long waiting lists for placements. Beech park services for children on the spectrum may provide additional supports ie ( speech and language, parent training courses etc) although some may say not to hold your breath.

If your nephew's parents live in Dublin/ kildare there is a good parent support group that meets in Leixlip at the River Forest hotel on the last wednesday of every month. Also Roller Coaster special needs section is a on line forum where you can contact other parents with children on the autistic spectrum.