Autism/9yr. old Austic Boy

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Expert: - 12/20/2009


Question
My 9 yr. old autistic son LOVES Thomas the tank engine...but has become obsessed. We would use it as a motivator but he wants to take them Everywhere.  I don't mind the trains but with Thomas there is more "silly and movie" talk. So..I took them all away. He still has trains...just big boy trains.  did i do the right thing? He keeps asking for them and I said they are gone and you can play with these trains.  What is the correct age that Thomas should go away?

Answer
Hi Nancy

There is no age, but I think you did the right thing. When obsessions interfere with function, I have often seen parents just eliminate the item and the child adapts with no problem as I see your son has done. My son had a thing about candles. When it got totally out of hand, we just made them ALL disappear. He seemed fine. Almost like he was released from some sort of hold that the obsession had on him. Once they were gone, he was fine. But of course he just moved on to another obsession!!

It's so weird how kids with autism are fixated on trains-especially Thomas. The theme of my therapy center was Thomas the Train.

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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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