About Trey McGowan Expertise My primary expertise is in the area of the social, psychological, and mental development of Aspergers Syndrome and other high-functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorders. I am also very knowledgeable in the communication disorders and common co-existing issues. I'm well-read on most of these as well as having experienced it myself. Other aspects of autism, I can do fairly well at as well, from the oversensitivity to the recognition of it.
Warning: I am *not* a medical professional, and while I can research answers through books and online, I can not give direct medical expertise.
Experience I am 14 years diagnosed Asperger's Autistic, and have been reading up and studying it, as well as taking 'first hand accounts' for most of those 14 years. In addition, I have had three children, adopted elsewhere, all of whom are varying degrees of autistic from mid to high functioning. My mother has done some research on the subject as well, and passed some of it on to me.
Education/Credentials I have completed grade school and most of high school, and achieved a GED. I've also received home schooling.
Expert: Trey McGowan Date: 7/7/2008 Subject: 3 year old Grandson
Question My 3 year old Grandson has not been diagnosed with autism--other than his pediatrician has suggested it. He is a late talker and is in speech and motor skill therapy. He is doing very well with his therapy, but at home he dors many repetitious sing and reciting...he memorizes songs he hears, children's programs on TV. Before he was 2 years old, he knew the alphabet and could count to 20. My daughter tried a preschool in Georgetown, but the teachers were not trained very well and did not really know how to handle him. He does not have any children close for him to play with, although he enjoys being around them. My daughter is so overwhelmed because she does not have a good support system or other mothers to talk to about this.
He is her first child at age 40....how can she find a good support group and are there any really outstanding schools for autistic children? She lives in Georgetown, Texas...
Is there any new research on autism? It seems to be a growing epidemic among children....
Thank you,
Joan
Answer Hello there, Joan!
My first comment, rather unusually, will be an answer to your *last* sentence: there is *always* new research being done into autism. That is, in fact, *why* it is growing. Not because it's an epidemic, but because it is being diagnosed more and more often. Sometimes even incorrectly. Autism is often seen as the new 'in' diagnosis, and thus a lot of children who didn't have a label are now able to be diagnosed as autistic, Asperger's, or any of the variety of ASDs. Fortunately, this means that it is being seen and recognized more and more, and that more and more individuals who need the treatment, early intervention, or what-have-you, are actually able to get it!
Which brings me to your actual question: the support groups in the area.
http://www.texasautismadvocacy.org/
This is the main (apparently) advocacy group for Autism in the area. That means that they should be able to help her with the diagnosis and the actual *doctor* sort of things, as well as education where I couldn't.
http://tinyurl.com/6kfjh5
A tinyURL that I made (because the old one was a hideous mess) that leads to the Greater Austin Texas Chapter. It mentions, specifically, some Georgetow summer groups that might be of some assistance. Plus, people there might be able to point you in the direction of other support groups.
http://tinyurl.com/55rkcd
Here is the TinyURL to the Greater Austin Texas Chapter in specific. They seem to do a lot out of Georgetown, so they're probably situated quite near to there. Hopefully not so far off that contacting them will be difficult, and that commuting will be possible.
Hopefully that was a help to you! If there's anything else, you know where to find me!
