Expert: James Michael Roan - 11/19/2008

Question
Hi James

I recently was asked to help a friend in need, she is a young mother with a 3 year old little boy. He displays strong symptoms of Autism, but has not been diagnosed with Autism as yet. I have spent the past two and a half years working with a number of kids with learning disabilities including ADHD and ADD, and kids and adults with mental and physical disabilities. My lessons consist of general age related school work provided by teachers on subjects in which they are battling, physiotherapy and educational play. I am not qualified as a teacher nor a therapist, but have been given awesome opportunities to work with these kids.
I have never worked with an autistic child and when I was asked for help I was reluctant but I did some research on the net for activities and general information on autistic children. I learnt a lot on the internet, including that you have to earn their trust and they have to be comfortable with you. The importance of  having a good routine and various activities that we could do together.
I sat with Jivaan for an hour last Thursday and it seemed hopeless. He ran around aimlessly for the whole hour, climbed the tv cabinets and the security door, sat on the dining room table mumbling and bashing the chairs against the wall He has loads of energy and excellent balance. I brought a variety of toys that could attract his attention, but I had to remove a few that he was interested in cause he was putting the parts into his mouth or throwing them around. I don't know if I can help, but Im not going to just give up. Jivaan does not talk at all, his communication between his mom is only a scream and a pointing of his finger when he wants something. If I could help with anything it would be to teach him to call his mom "mommy" and his dad "daddy". How do I get through to this little boy and how am I going to offer encouragement to his family?

Answer
Hi Jassmine;

This a very broad question for me to address properly, however, there are no quick fixes here. You have a big heart and are probably to doing the best thing for Jivann and his family. You are right, take your time and develop trust and become a comfort zone for him.

Kind regards,
James










James Roan Bio:

James Roan (roanpsych@gmail.com) has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disability and with enforcement of their rights. James Roan was the consulting psychologist responsible for many of the autism and ADHD screening tools and other content for www.accessspecialneeds.com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors.