Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.
I have a 3 year old boy who has had behavior problems as long as I can remember. He was in birth to 3 (early intervention) because he did not walk until he was 19 months and still has low muscle tone. A couple of therapists (PT and OT) brought up autism in the past, but he never fully met the criteria. He had a screening at 18 months with the A-DOS and did not qualify.
Fast forward to now. He is a very intelligent boy whose favorite word is no. If he does not get his way he goes into a major meltdown. If things don't go the way he thinks they should he will tantrum. He will scream at the top of his lungs. While he has a good vocabulary his speech is somewhat disjointed. He loves to stack things and make patterns. He is such a picky eater that I supplement with pedisure.
He is very loving and cudly with me (his mother) and other members of his immediate family, but with extended family he won't hug or kiss them and can come off rude, saying things like "I don't like you" to his grandmother.
He covers his ears during loud noises (although he does not get terribly upset). He is also very physical, hitting his sister and head butting me. At 3.5 he is not potty trained. He refuses to. He is obssesed with angry birds and spooky things (Halloween).
Its at the point where relatives think he is a brat and we are bad parents. I feel so lost.
Fast forward to now. He is a very intelligent boy whose favorite word is no. If he does not get his way he goes into a major meltdown. If things don't go the way he thinks they should he will tantrum. He will scream at the top of his lungs. While he has a good vocabulary his speech is somewhat disjointed. He loves to stack things and make patterns. He is such a picky eater that I supplement with pedisure.
He is very loving and cudly with me (his mother) and other members of his immediate family, but with extended family he won't hug or kiss them and can come off rude, saying things like "I don't like you" to his grandmother.
He covers his ears during loud noises (although he does not get terribly upset). He is also very physical, hitting his sister and head butting me. At 3.5 he is not potty trained. He refuses to. He is obssesed with angry birds and spooky things (Halloween).
Its at the point where relatives think he is a brat and we are bad parents. I feel so lost.
I hate that because the specialists charge like 350-500 and you have to get insurance.....but.......eventually all of us parents who have kids with an "ism" have to do it.