AboutMichelle Fattig Expertise I can answer questions about educational testing, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Special Education, IEP, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Processing, Parent Advocacy, Response to Intervention, living and parenting with disabilities, parent rights in special education, school psychology, and more. I cannot provide a medical diagnosis.
Experience I am a school psychologist, medical technologist, author of the Annie Books series: Experience Aspeger's Syndrome and Attention Deficits Through the Eyes of a Child, RTI facilitator, ILCD facilitator, parent advocate, presenter, and researcher. My children and I have Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, and learning disabilities.
Organizations National Association of School Pyschologists, American Medical Technologists, Learning Disabilities Association of Nebraska
Education/Credentials Ed.S. in School Psychology, doctoral studies in SPED Law, SPED Systems Enhancement Leadership, and doctoral candidate Education Leadership. MT(AMT) and MLT(ASCP)
Expert: Michelle Fattig Date: 4/24/2008 Subject: my three year old grandson
Question I don't know much about autism but am hearing more and more about it. My grandson is three years old and he has some traits behaviors that don't seem normal to me. He runs around in circles and jabbers, he doesn't respond to discipline, he sometimes seems like he isn't looking right at you when you talk to him. He seems to be out of control and doesn't stay focused on playing. I don't know where to start, I live in Florida and he is Texas and I have not mentioned this to my daughter. Please help. Thanks a bunch, Pam Robinson, concerned grandma
or by typing "Susan Mayes Autism Checklist" into any search engine. Also, a sensory dysfunction screener (often a part of autism) found at: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
These tools may be helpful in deciding if there may be a need for evaluation, or if he just has a few quirky traits. If the screeners do flag in multiple areas, your grandson can be referred to the local school district for a free multidisciplinary evaluation and I would suggest asking specifically for an autism evaluation to include an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, and School Psychologist. Provide the team with the checklists and if he qualifies can receive free services through the school's early childhood program. Direct social skills instruction with direct instruction in creative social play is recommended for best outcomes according to research. I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you. I wish you the best.
