AboutJene Aviram Expertise How do you know if your child has autism? If you're concerned about your child's behavior and would like to know if they're symptoms of autism, I can help you. If you need behavior and parenting strategies, I have many suggestions and ideas to help you. I can also help you with questions on ABA therapy. I cannot answer biomedical questions.
Experience I am one of the co-founders of Natural Learning Concepts, a manufacturing company for autism and special education materials. I am an author and writer and my work on the autism spectrum is frequently published by many organizations and renowned magazines. My son has Aspergers and my nephew has autism.
Publications Autism/Aspergers Digest
Autism Society of America
Autism Today Issue
Spirit Magazine
The Autism Perspective Magazine
Yahoo News
Parenting Magazine
Education/Credentials My original background and education is computer network engineering. A turn of events led me to switch careers in early 2000 when my passion and driving force became helping people on the autism spectrum. I then co-founded a successful company that helps people on the autism spectrum every day.
Question My son is 7 years old. He will be 8 in September. He performs well in school, as far as academics go. He does not make friends well though. He always seems to be the "odd one out". It seems as though he is around other kids, just not participating. He also MUST have routine. He cannot just go to bed. He must follow the same order of snack, brush teeth, watch TV, say "Night, night. See you in the morning. Love you. Bye-Bye", then go to bed. He can be told to settle down and quit making noises, but will continue on, to no avail. He will continue even if punished. His clothes must meet a certain "softness" or he will not wear it. We have cut several tags out of shirts. If he gets in trouble (even for minor things), he will cry out of control. When something makes him mad, he will throw something and yell. He will not eat outside the house. I can make a sandwich from the house and take it with us. He still will not eat it. It is a constant battle to get him to eat at a restaurant.
We have every type of parenting technique out there. Nothing will work. He has been deemed the "difficult" child and is the reason why my husband doesn't want any more children. (We have one more, 3 year old girl that is fine.)
Answer Hi Sherrie,
One of the hardest things is searching for answers. It's really tough when you feel that your child needs help, but don't know exactly what's wrong or what you can do make things easier for him.
While it's impossible to diagnose over the Internet, especially with one paragraph of information, I can't help thinking that your son fits the profile of Sensory Integration Dysfunction. While many people with Asperger's also have this, you did not mention any of the communication or social difficulties prevalent in Aspergers, which is usually the parent's main concern.
The great thing about sensory integration dysfunction (SID) is that it can be helped very easily with the correct services. Typically an OT (Occupational Therapist) who's experienced with SID will work with your son. It's usually great fun for the child who learns systematically to deal with stimuli from the environment.
As you've said, you have every parenting tactic in the book, but SID is not behavioral, and therefore doesn't respond to behavioral tactics. I suggest you get an evaluation right away. Tell your pediatrician that you're concerned about SID and ask for a referral in your area for a full evaluation. There are many websites where you can read about sensory integration dysfunction but take a look at this one for starters. http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/index.html
Another article you'd like to read is called "The sensory challenge".
This will give you an idea of how your son might feel sometimes. You can find it at this link. http://www.nlconcepts.com/autism-sensory.htm
I know that it might feel very overwhelming right now but a good Occupational Therapist will make the world of difference.
I wish you the very best.
