Autism/hand flapping, etc.

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Expert: - 7/24/2006


Question
A child in the family exhibits hand flapping, especially when excited. Sometimes he also bounces. He has sensitivity to sound, light, and especially smell. His motor and speech skills seem to be average or above.
He is six and a half years old and we live in Southeast Missouri.

Answer
HI Barbara,

Maybe this is a symptom of an autistic spectrum disorder and maybe not.

If his speech and motor skills are normal, he may have a mild form called Asperger's Syndrome which primarily affect social functioning. The sensitivities do fit this syndrome.

If you think this is the case, try to share some books or articles with his parents. It is far better to identify this early. He will be entitled to services from the school district to help him both in and out of school. Asperger's students often go unidentified until high school because many are quite bright, just a little "odd." But once the social demands increase, they can't cope.

Here is a list of web sites where you can find more information:

http://www.patientcenters.com/autism/news/resources.html (books and resources)

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperger.htm (the definitions and government links)

http://www.autism.org/temple/meds.html (about medication)

http://www.autism.org/ (many links to information)

http://www.autismasperger.net/intro.htm (Stephen Shore’s web site)

http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/as/asteachersites.html (teaching resources)

http://www.aspergers.com/Adolesc.htm (adolescence issues)

Best wishes,
Catherine

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Catherine 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.

NOTE:

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