Speckie

[speckie]

Hi Everyone, I am new to this site :- I am a great/grandmother. " don't laugh " I have all my faculties am fit and heathy,and have a vested interest in AUTISUM My G/granson Joshua is three yrs old ( 4 in August ) he is the pride of my life, what can I say,....I. love him so much

( incidently I have 9 grandchildren and 10 G/ grandchildren ) Joshua is the light of my life xx

I have never come across Autisum so I have a lot to learn !! any help, insight or information on this will be greatly appreciated, Joshua is non-verbal, but in many ways lets us know what he wants or not,my grandaughter ( his Mom ) is struggling, but manageing JUST.

[nssa]

Hello, I am a 38 year old female teacher with Asperger Syndrome, on the "high end" of the Autistic spectrum, I also have two diagnosed children. I am very verbal now but often found talking difficult as a child-although I was never completely non-verbal. Autistic people have differences in the way our brains are organised, this makes us a little different which can be tricky at times. It can also be wonderful at other times. Most of us have sensory differences, we can be under or over sensitive to light, sound touch, taste etc. Sometimes this is very difficult for us to manage. A lot of Autistic children really benefit from using communication cards, you can purchase these or make your own-always worth a try! You can also find them free on the internet if you google "free printable emotions cards" It is the expression of needs and emotions that are often the most tricky so maybe begin these, most autists are highly visual so make sure they have pictures on them! Whicht aspects of Joshua's behaviour is your daughter finding most difficult?

[speckie in reply to nssa]

where can I start ! he hates being dressed/undressed, when he can't express his self he smacks his face really hard sometimes marking himself, fortunately anyone involved with Joshua i.e. nursery etc., are aware of this, she is a " one parent " family so most of the care is down to her, he is nonverbal but with some things he can take you and show you what he wants,his motoring skills are not all that good, for instance ( she lives in an maisonette, upstairs ) he cannot climb stairs by himself, he is a sturdy little boy so this can be difficult, he still uses a pushchair and most P.C. are too small, shopping is a nightmare he hates shops !! loves buses, causes havoc when he has too get off, but you know what ? we would'nt change him for the world, we all love him so much and sincerely hope, when, September he goes to

" school " hopefully one for Special needs. things will get better. thanks for your interest. Speckie.....

[nssa]

It sounds like Joshua may be reacting to sensory issues, you could try earphones when shopping to see if it helps. He seems to struggle with change- dressing/ undressing and getting off the bus. One of my children is a little similar and I give count down, so "in 3 minutes we will be getting off the bus/ getting dressed, then count down in minutes. It may be worth also showing or talking about the same things on the bus ride so he learns and recognises when it's time to get off.

It may be worth printing some pictures of basic things like a toilet, drink, snack ect so he can show you them when he needs them. Increase the number of pictures as he becomes used to the method. I hope this helps. Your daughter should ask the paediatrician about any occupational and/or physiotherapy to help with the motor skills development and also ask if there is any support for children with sensory issues. I really hope this helps and I wish you, your daughter and Joshua the very best. x

[speckie]

Nssa, thankyou for your interest I will pass your comments on to Lianne, my grandaughter,

especialy with regard to the therapy help with motor skills and sensory issues,my particular observation is that most paediatricians know very little about Autisum and generaly provide little support ! however there are other areas where we might possibly get information.I too wish you and your family all the very best.

[rosie-in-the-garden]

Laugh, at what? The fact that you are two generations ahead of me as so far I am only a mum. I don't think so, envious yes but why would I want to laugh at someone who has surrounded herself with loved ones.

It is my nieces lovely little boy, Frankie, who has autism and as a close knit family, we all help out as much as we can. My role is to source out the best support available for when he starts mainstream school in September, a daunting task.

I came to this wonderful community after getting little support from the N.H.S. and having nowhere obvious to turn to. I was at my wits end when I stumbled across this site, our Frankie must be blessed with some powerful guardian angel because it's a wonderful community. From the people who are autistic comes the most uplifting stories of how they deal with the situations life throws at them and most helpful of all are their insights into how it feels to be autistic.

Reading some of what has been written on this site also gives me hope for my nieces little boy to have a bright and fulfilling future for there are some extremely intelligent people writing here, I feel honoured to be amid geniuses and so kind too.

I am certain that if you don't find your answers here, you will definetley find the support that will propel you in the right direction.

[speckie]

Rosie, thankyou for your comments, yes it's hard but like you we are learning all the time,it is so frustrating when our little prince cannot communicate his wants and needs, we are praying he will be able to go to a school for children with special needs including Autism, as he is nonverbal, lacks social skills and whose motoring skills are not good ! plus he is not toilet trained, really a mainstream school will not be suitable. lets hope the " Powers that be " will see and understand this .I agree this site,sharing with people who understand, is a source of comfort. Speckie .....

[speckie]

Hi Rosie, wanted to tell you, our treasure Joshua has been accepted in the school of

our choice, a special school that deals with autistic children. we are so pleased and look

forward to good things to come,hope your boy will get on well in his mainstream school

Speckie