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Autism/Autistic Children's Honesty

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Expert: - 12/19/2008


Question
My grandson, a 9 year old high functioning autistic boy, has told me his teacher has squeezed his throat and he can't breathe.  I have discussed this with the school and they have dismissed. He has been questioned by his counselor and by an investigator at the school and the teacher that abused him.  His story never varied.
My question is this, Do you believe him capable of telling a lie of this magnitude and sticking to it even through all the questions.  I believe him with all my heart and am trying to prove he cannot be lying.
Thank You...Kay Culver

Answer
Yes I do believe he is capable of telling a lie, but that doesn't mean he did. I have several questions for you:
1. Does he have a history of lying?
2. Has he seen something recently on TV that he may be confusing
3. Does he dislike school or the teacher that would make him tell this lie to get out of going to the school?

If the answer to the above questions are "no," then I would look into this situation seriously. It would be quite unusual for your grandson to all of sudden tell a lie if he hasn't ever lied before or if he is happy at school.

Valerie Herskowitz, MA
valerieherskowitz.com

Autism

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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