AboutCatherine Ridenour Expertise I can answer your questions about parenting your High Functioning Autisic or Asperger`s Syndrome child. In particular, questions about family life, discipline, siblings, finding resources, and working with (sometimes opposing) the educational system are welcome.
Experience I am the parent of an Asperger's Syndrome child who is now 22 years old. She went undiagnosed for 14 years of her life, so I have done extensive reading and Internet research into the possible cause of her difficulties. Even a short 8 years ago, A.S. was practically unheard of by the public educational system.
We fumbled our way through her childhood and early adolescence without any effective outside support. In some ways, that may have been a blessing as we were focused on her abilities rather than a label for her disability. However, I can think of many times when knowing WHY would have been comforting.
Had we known very early on, some social skills interventions might have made her life in school easier. At this point, I like her for who she is so I do not regret how things have turned out. More importantly, she likes herself.
Education/Credentials I have a Bachelor of Science in Education.
I have worked to educate myself about Autism in general and HFA/AS in particular.
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Question He has not been diagnosed with autism/ we are just worried. The doctor just tell his mom he's fine. I know he is different. He repeats what we say to him over and over. He will ignore us to the point of walking out in traffic. We can yell and yell stop but he just keeps going like he cant even hear us. On the other hand he smiles and plays well by himself. He does ok with others (He is 2 1/2) He is also very good at memorizing songs. He can hear a song once and recite it back. Kind of like a savant. He seems so smart yet he will look at you and act like he doesn't understand a word you are saying. I know he does because later he will repeat it to my other nephew. He seems to play with his toys normally but if any one messes with his toy he freeks and cries for a long time. I noticed he was different from about 6 mo. His dad was diagnosed with ADD, but Landon can play by himself for hours. He likes people it seems though I think he would rather play and watch tv alone.
Answer HI Terry,
This sounds like high-functioning autism, to me. These kids are very bright, have steel-trap memories and even the ability to interact with others though not always appropriately.
His echolalia (repeating what he hears), losing it when someone messes with his toys, lack of fear in dangerous situations, the "deaf" behavior, playing by himself for very long periods of time all concern me. (By the way, people with ADD/ADHD can concentrate for long periods on things like video games because there is constant motion/change. But, they cannot concentrate on more mundane things like reading or listening to the teacher.)
One thing that may help make the determination about whether to seek a professional evaluation is how he uses language. Can he communicate what he wants in words? Does he say "more milk", "go potty", and similar things like that? Does he point to interesting things and try to get others to look, "a bird!". Will he look when someone else points?
When he plays with other children, is he always in charge? Can he play a game someone else things of? (He's a bit young to determine this, but watch him play and see). This observation gives you a clue as to whether he is beginning to understand that others have thoughts and feelings. Kids with autistic disorders lack "theory of mind" which means that people are more like objects to them. They don't realize anyone else has ideas or feels pain.
All in all, getting a pediatric autism specialist's evaluation would probably be a good idea. Maybe he is just "different" and we need that in our world. In fact, some of our greatest scientists and inventors were probably autistic. But, in today's school system, there is little latitude for children who cannot follow directions and participate. If he is found to be on spectrum it's not the end of the world. He will need help in school, but he can have a very productive life.
