Little smoke please

Alberta Ed said:
Looking back, I'd guess that our first son was probably mildly autistic, which translated into ferocious powers of concentration in his case. Many super-achievers throughout history were probably autistic. Our son just received his PhD at age 32. Seems to me that a normal phenomenon is now perceived as an affliction, so I don't know how much credibility I'd give the 'experts'.
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+1 on these sentiments. My son, almost 4 would most definately be put into that group if we allowed it. I have had so called trained people question my son's eye contact only to say how it had improved the next week when they saw him again. My son had not changed. They just were then familiar to him or had something that he was acctually interested in. From what I have seen diagnosis of a variety of "disorders" is rampant. A good friend of mine went thru very similar experiences only to go thru years of heartache and hassle to finally being told that his son isnt autistic. My nephew, who was living with me up until this weekend, has been given a number of different diagnosis by medical professionals and was heavily medicated, with little to no positive results for years. After only 5 months with no medication he is a completely different person. We feel that we tried to assess his real needs and address them.

I am not saying you shouldnt seek the help that your son might need, just that there are a wide range of opinions on what actually constitutes autism. I dont feel that a simple check list without any disqualifiers is a good way to effectively determine what is best for my son. I have just seen to much generallization and bad science.

Here is an email from my wife. I would just send it to you but you dont have an email option.

Many late taking children are inaccurately diagnosed as autistic because the tests measure cognition through a language-based evaluation. If a child doesn’t comprehend or is unable to express language at an age appropriate level (due to a delay or disorder such as an expressive/receptive language dysfunction or Auditory Processing Disorder), s/he will quickly fall onto the Autistic Spectrum. Differential Diagnosis and non-language based assessment testing is required to produce an accurate result for late talkers. NOT CHECKLISTS! Likewise many gifted children are inaccurately labeled ADHD. If your child indeed has autism, I wish you the best of luck to find the very best therapies. If your child is not in fact autistic, the wrong therapies can be detrimental.

Info and resources regarding late talking children:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalLateTalkers/
a forum/support group for parents of late talking children, many misdiagnosed as autistic

http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/site/default.aspx
Dr. Stephen Camarata
(stephen.m.camarata@vanderbilt.edu)

Mary Camarata, SLP
( 615-936-5130 ) or email
(mary.n.camarata@vanderbilt.edu)

Late-Talker Consulting
( 615-866-9457 )
These people know what they are doing, have been doing it a long time, have a late talking son of their own (grown, now)

http://jamesdmacdonald.org/Articles/MacDonaldStart.html
another progressive approach. He is also very highly regarded by parents who have taken their children to him for evaluation.

Emily Ockey, mom of late talking 4 year old


You can email my wife or I at emockey(at)comcast.net. I would be happy to talk on the phone also. This is something that we have been invovlved for a while now.

Here are a few more articles
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1029

http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2008/07/16/autism_cures

Best of luck to you and your family

Matt
 
Hey John,

I am sorry to hear of your latest challenge, but in reading some of the foregoing posts, it seems there is lots of room (and opportunity) for optimism.
I know almost nothing about autism, so I can offer nothing of value in that regard, but I can tell you that you and your family have my best wishes.

Doc
 
*smoke*


I live with a 13 year old autie. I've helped her mother drive her to levels that are really unexpected. A complete lack of casein, sugar, and gluten in her diet has helped. So has a LOT, and I mean a LOT of touch therapy. Hugs, medicine balls, hugs, medicine balls, and heavy play. Mariel has the best muscle tone and core - and health- in her entire district here.
 
Talfuchre said:
Riley,

Get this book: "Parenting a Child With Sensory Processing Disorder". I have a son the exact same way - and my wife teaches these kids.

This is NO BIG DEAL - just more work - and makes the child unique. I am up for a chat ANY TIME on this. Trust me - this is a cool thing overall. It makes the child really cool and fun.

Honestly fella's this is nothing to be sorry for. Especially if it is mild - he or she will just have quirks. My son is SUPER smart - he is just anxious, has a billion questions, is easy to rile, needs to have things fairly quiet and has odd things he obsesses about - but it just makes him, over all, VERY unique and a ton of fun.
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I'm with you TF, I worked with autistic adults covering the full spectrum and it sounds like you might be in for some interesting times and possibly some hard ones, if you see it as a challenge not a burden you'll be fine, I found a good read is this one by Mark Haddon, lets you see some of how it might be like.
BTW every client I worked with was different, there is a reason they label it a spectrum disorder. All the best mate, I'm sure you and yours will be ok. Smoke sent for good measure.
 
well, sounds like there's several of us in here with spectrum experience, and that will definitely help!

---
even if I'm on the natural foods weenie and sensory integration nutjob side of things instead of being a neo-skinnerian :D
 
Smoke sent from Wyoming. Best wishes for you and your family. I keep a copy of the Serenity prayer in my wallet:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
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I find these simple words extremely comforting and motivating.
 
Sending some your way RR...

SmokeGrenade.jpg
 
RR

It's good to know early.

Regardless, I'm sure he's going to love the outdoors with his Dad :thumbup:




Kindest regards
Mick
 
This was hard to hear about. I'll be praying for you all. There is new strength and grace available for you every day in the midst of this. One of the greatest things that come from families dealing with these sorts of problems is that they learn how to find it. Mac
 
Praying for you and the whole family. You will all get through it. Just stay strong and keep your faith!!
 
sweet grass and sage burnt, and prayers sent for you and your family Bud !!

Hoping, wishing, and praying for the best !!;)
 
Talfuchre said:
Riley,

Get this book: "Parenting a Child With Sensory Processing Disorder". I have a son the exact same way - and my wife teaches these kids.

This is NO BIG DEAL - just more work - and makes the child unique. I am up for a chat ANY TIME on this. Trust me - this is a cool thing overall. It makes the child really cool and fun.

Honestly fella's this is nothing to be sorry for. Especially if it is mild - he or she will just have quirks. My son is SUPER smart - he is just anxious, has a billion questions, is easy to rile, needs to have things fairly quiet and has odd things he obsesses about - but it just makes him, over all, VERY unique and a ton of fun.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this one. There is nothing wrong, just a few things out of the norm. Regardless my friend, you have my prayers.
 
Riley,

I was talking to my mother (on vacation) and she said that raising my oldest (Lambert - who is diagnosed PDD) is a LOT like raising me. I see the word differently for sure - but it has made me unique I think. I function just fine and many people around me say that they enjoy my perspective.

Ask yourself this: Did you want an average kid? Well, you have a diagnosis now that your kid will not be average - he will be unique. It will be awesome bro - trust me - it is for me.

TF
 
John, …smoke, prayers, and lots of positive energy headed your way.


My best to you and yours my friend.



Big Mike

”Scaring the tree huggers.”

Forest & Stream
 
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