TJP101

Close Autism / Autism Spectrum

I am a mother of two, 19 old. My son Brian is 6 and has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum high end. I am and married * second marriage with JTP101 *user name here. We love life, living and most of all our Kids. We have three between us. Brian is the outcome of our marriage. Autism to us is now viewed as a gift and not a disaster as all would say, you know how most people are.

Treatments

Running Working / Worked

Brian likes to run for no apparent reason and it does not matter if its in the middle of a busy road. In retrospect, I do think it is because he tends to like most Austic's see from the sides of his eyes, rather than straight forward. Something catches his eye focus and he darts out. When he stands in line at school, He darts. This could be because he feels an intrusion on his "space" and wants to get out that "cornered" feeling. Temple's book shed alot of light on this area.

ABA Working / Worked

Brian's school is working with us on this matter. As suggested in Temple Grandin's Book, It could be the reason why Brian hates Music when the class sings, Its the amount of tones going on. On the other hand, when he has music class now he is happy there. He does not cover his ears with his hands of flap his hands in the air. He wants to participate, unlike group singing in the class.

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Too Soon to Tell

I have come to the conclusion that its not so much the foods as it is the trigger point, if Autistic kids feel hot and cold so much more than we do, imagine a hot or cold food on a metal utensil. We suggest using a coated spoon, fork or spork. The teacher said that red dye is now restricted in the class room where Hawaiian punch is concerned, she said it does effect brians behavior. We just do not allow any of that at home.

Early Intervention Working / Worked

Brian was tested when red flaggs appeared in a pre school setting. FSU sent out a team, and then the work began with him. We started Speech Therapy and it started working, not right away, but gradually. Brian started to show improvements within the first month of therapy. Baker Wright and the team that he has implemted at the school for the last two years have been wonderful. The SLP/OTs are great. Brian is responding really well with them.

Facilitated Communication Working / Worked

We have to grab Brian's attention by looking him in the eye and then speaking to him on his level. Clearly what we would like for him to do, see, etc. This is a work in progress. I stress Gently on this matter. Sensory perceptions could go into "overload" and it is ebb/flow given the particular circumstances occurring at that time. The communication has improved over the last two years with intense SLP & OT work at the school. And contium at home with the same system.

Floor-Time Therapy Working / Worked

This is incorporated in the public elementary school Brian goes too. He is in regular class for K. This is still a work in progress. He has his moments, but the teacher and aide know when and how to apply time outs, green, yellow, red light system and reward system.

Independent Living Skills Working / Worked

We are continually teaching Brian to become independent of us. He needs to learn now while he is young. It is a work in progress. Now he does not have to be cued to do everything, or really look at a picture card to see what has to be done, this has progressed very well over the two years.

Occupational Therapy Working / Worked

His OT's are wonderful. They have picked up on alot of things at the school and shared with us recently that he is very independent and smart. He really does give them a challenge as they do him.

Patience Working / Worked

Patience is a virtue to many, Its especially trying for an Autistic child. We just stick with a plan and he does seem to understand if not right away. We forewarn him on shopping trips still, its not as bad as it was, and he has been better in public. Patience at home is working better due to follow through like they use at the school. Work in progress still.

Pets Working / Worked

Brian has a dog as a pet, two cats and two birds, He is learning to hold cats in a gentle way. He does not realize how hard he holds them. So we are teaching him Gentle measures that I learned by reading, Thinking In Pictures, By Temple Grandin. It has worked out over the last two years.

Picture / Word Schedules Working / Worked

We used picture boards as Referenced in Temple Grandin's Book, Thinking In Pictures has shed light on this. Stephen Shore's Book has also asisted.Our IEP team at the school also suggested this and we are currently working on it. We have not had to use the picture board over the last few months in the am time. They do use them at the school with the kids, it works best there.

Play Therapy Working / Worked

Play therapy, i consider that to be a source of recess at the school. He is doing better there, not running away as much as he did two years ago. This is a new setting for him with schedule and different teacher, but his aide has been benefical here.

Running Working / Worked

Brian likes to run for no apparent reason and does this from time to time, but not as bad as he did. In retrospect, I do think it is because he tends to like most Austic's see from the sides of his eyes, rather than straight forward. Something catches his eye focus and he darts out. When he stands in line at school,he does not dart like he did last year. This could be because he does not feel an intrusion on his "space" any longer. Much Improvement in this area.

Vision Therapy Working / Worked

He has improved so much, no glasses are needed anymore when we go to Wal Mart or the Grocery Stores. We just used Blue Blockers when we went out, the kind that wrap around his eyes so his periphial vision was also blocked.