12-17-2008, 06:50 AM
I would like to know what resources other parents have found useful in helping them understand Autism and/or Aspbergers.
Books, websites (if allowed), etc?
I have read a few books but at the moment the only ones I can recall are Jenny McCarthy's books and while they were a good easy read about how she "cured" her son's Austim with diet I felt it a bit "out there" and could not really relate with her and her son as (1) I don't have the same doctors and nutritionists available to me that she does with living in a big city and having money as she does and (2) her sons autisic behavior is nothing at all like mine. With her son having no eye contact, stimming, the "lights not on" look in the eye, seizures, and all sorts of things we have never experianced.
While my son Parker who has been diagnosed with Autism can do eye contact just fine, is incredibly lovable, does not stim (although he was a head banger when he was about 2), never had a seizure and in fact is very healthy and hardly gets sick.
What signs he does have is:
Highly intelegent (began reading at 3, knew all his state capitols at age 4, taught himself the periodic table at age 4 1/2 by reading his older sisters highschool science book, has a facination with maps, computers, and reading things like the phone book). He was not potty trained untill just this year at 5 years old and just never seemed to know that he was going to the bathroom. As I said above he used to be a head banger. He has sensitivity to certain tones (like this one song they played in pre-school...but no other songs or things that we can find just yet) and to too much noise like in a crowd of people talking (although I get overstimulated in crowds too..) Socially he tries playing with other children and is making friends in Kindergarden. Last year in preschool he pretty much kept to playing with his twin siblings or by himself. I think he is shy but when he gets to know someone he is ready and willing to play with them and interact and engage socially. Parkers IEP focuses on right now potty training (he has had only 1 accident all year), cooperation in cleaning up (he hates work), and normal socializion. He is rewarded with alone time where he can read at his own reading level.
Hannah my 11 year old who was diagnosed with Aspbergers last year is very much like Parker in that she is very intellegent (reading at 4, tests high in all subjects, reads currently at the college level, does advanced math, etc), she was IQ tested 2 years ago at 159 so we know she is smart. She has a great sence of humor, is a bit odd in that she is into science not the typical "girl" things like Barbie dolls and boys. Which makes it hard socially to be accepted at school by the other girls who thinks she is odd. She gets along better with boys however since she is into dragons and rocks and stuff like that. However recently she has gotten into Webkinz which is helping to bridge the conversation gap a little between her and the other girls in school. She is very disorganized and forgets papers at home or school...where ever the papers are NOT supposed to be. She wants to have more friends however she is not the social butterfly and is OK doing things on her own. She too is very healthy and in fact has never seen a doctor for anything other than well-child check ups and immunizations. Hannah's IEP focuses on socalization cues (because she is very blunt), organization, and staying on task. She tends to become bored in school and wants to do her own thing. She also is known for correcting the teachers when they are wrong about something...which does not please the teachers at all. LOL As a reward her IEP allows for her to do projects based on an interest of her own as well as read books on her own at her own reading level. She also gets spelling words that are chellenging to her instead of the classes spelling words and she is not required to do all classroom assignments if she can prove that she already has mastered the material.
So... after all that typing...I guess what I am looking for are some resources to help me understand what Autism and Aspbergers is and how do I know for sure if my 2 children have it. I am open to all suggestions.
Books, websites (if allowed), etc?
I have read a few books but at the moment the only ones I can recall are Jenny McCarthy's books and while they were a good easy read about how she "cured" her son's Austim with diet I felt it a bit "out there" and could not really relate with her and her son as (1) I don't have the same doctors and nutritionists available to me that she does with living in a big city and having money as she does and (2) her sons autisic behavior is nothing at all like mine. With her son having no eye contact, stimming, the "lights not on" look in the eye, seizures, and all sorts of things we have never experianced.
While my son Parker who has been diagnosed with Autism can do eye contact just fine, is incredibly lovable, does not stim (although he was a head banger when he was about 2), never had a seizure and in fact is very healthy and hardly gets sick.
What signs he does have is:
Highly intelegent (began reading at 3, knew all his state capitols at age 4, taught himself the periodic table at age 4 1/2 by reading his older sisters highschool science book, has a facination with maps, computers, and reading things like the phone book). He was not potty trained untill just this year at 5 years old and just never seemed to know that he was going to the bathroom. As I said above he used to be a head banger. He has sensitivity to certain tones (like this one song they played in pre-school...but no other songs or things that we can find just yet) and to too much noise like in a crowd of people talking (although I get overstimulated in crowds too..) Socially he tries playing with other children and is making friends in Kindergarden. Last year in preschool he pretty much kept to playing with his twin siblings or by himself. I think he is shy but when he gets to know someone he is ready and willing to play with them and interact and engage socially. Parkers IEP focuses on right now potty training (he has had only 1 accident all year), cooperation in cleaning up (he hates work), and normal socializion. He is rewarded with alone time where he can read at his own reading level.
Hannah my 11 year old who was diagnosed with Aspbergers last year is very much like Parker in that she is very intellegent (reading at 4, tests high in all subjects, reads currently at the college level, does advanced math, etc), she was IQ tested 2 years ago at 159 so we know she is smart. She has a great sence of humor, is a bit odd in that she is into science not the typical "girl" things like Barbie dolls and boys. Which makes it hard socially to be accepted at school by the other girls who thinks she is odd. She gets along better with boys however since she is into dragons and rocks and stuff like that. However recently she has gotten into Webkinz which is helping to bridge the conversation gap a little between her and the other girls in school. She is very disorganized and forgets papers at home or school...where ever the papers are NOT supposed to be. She wants to have more friends however she is not the social butterfly and is OK doing things on her own. She too is very healthy and in fact has never seen a doctor for anything other than well-child check ups and immunizations. Hannah's IEP focuses on socalization cues (because she is very blunt), organization, and staying on task. She tends to become bored in school and wants to do her own thing. She also is known for correcting the teachers when they are wrong about something...which does not please the teachers at all. LOL As a reward her IEP allows for her to do projects based on an interest of her own as well as read books on her own at her own reading level. She also gets spelling words that are chellenging to her instead of the classes spelling words and she is not required to do all classroom assignments if she can prove that she already has mastered the material.
So... after all that typing...I guess what I am looking for are some resources to help me understand what Autism and Aspbergers is and how do I know for sure if my 2 children have it. I am open to all suggestions.