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Autism/Questions Answered by Expert Melanie R Jones, PT MTC
| Subject | Date Asked |
| reaction of autistic child to his feeling sick | 4/25/2012 |
| Q: I would like to know if children with autism might display feelings of sickness, or a reaction to ... A: Yes Anything that makes the child feel overwhelmed or stressed can bring out extremes of autistic ... | |
| PDD-NOS | 3/30/2012 |
| Q: My son is 3 years old, and was diagnosed with pdd-nos. He only visually stims occasionaly. Is it ... A: I can understand you're confused. PDD is very pervasive, affecting just about everything in one's ... | |
| PDD-NOS | 3/26/2012 |
| Q: My son is 3 years old, and was diagnosed with pdd-nos. He only visually stims occasionaly. Is it ... A: NOS stands for not otherwise specified. A doctor will use this category when s/he cannot specify ... | |
| My 25-year-old son concerned about relationships | 2/29/2012 |
| Q: I have a 25-year-old son with Asperger's syndrome who is depressed because he can't get a ... A: It's taken me so long to answer you, I need to get this out to you now. Although I find questions ... | |
| Peeing in his pants at 11 yrs old | 2/15/2012 |
| Q: I have an 11 year old son with autism who is non-verbal. He has been potty trained since he is 4 ... A: My heart aches for you and others who so clearly struggle to provide the best possible environment ... | |
| autism spectrum disorder symptoms | 2/14/2012 |
| Q: My son is 4 who gets stuck on things very easy; repetitive. For example, he loves to play with ... A: Tom, I assume from the way you worded this that your son has been diagnosed with ASD. Most of the ... | |
| Meltdowns | 1/1/2012 |
| Q: . I have written before regarding my son who is now three and have recieved some fantastic advice ... A: First and foremost, though it is understandable and quite normal to feel the way you do, DO NOT let ... | |
| Help with adult Asperger's child | 12/31/2011 |
| Q: My adult child is in desperate need of a psychologist, mentor or a coach who can understand him as ... A: Oh, Nan, this is a classic issue! My heart breaks for you and your child. Even with a diagnosis, ... | |
| meltdowns | 12/12/2011 |
| Q: . I have written before regarding my son who is now three and have recieved some fantastic advice ... A: You bring up a lot here. Many would categorize the majority as standard child rearing questions, ... | |
| meltdowns | 12/6/2011 |
| Q: . I have written before regarding my son who is now three and have recieved some fantastic advice ... A: Please pardon my delay in answering and the brief reply. I jammed a finger and cannot easily type ... | |
| MMJ for autism symptoms | 12/6/2011 |
| Q: I have a 4 year old autistic son who in non-verbal. He was diagnosed in 2009 with autism/lead ... A: It sounds as though you're going through a very traumatic time. Acquired autism is often less ... | |
| i-pad | 12/2/2011 |
| Q: I work with a low functioning non verbal autistic student, we have tried many different forms of ... A: Barb, I think it's a wonderful idea to get him an i-pad, but unfortunately I don't have experience ... | |
| Is there any thing I can do to help my daughter with speech. | 11/14/2011 |
| Q: My daughter is 9 years old. She is very delayed in speech and is in special classes in school. ... A: I applaud your efforts thus far. It can be very frustrating, as you well know. First of all, don't ... | |
| Autism dilemma | 10/24/2011 |
| Q: I know that you are not a doctor so therefore am unable to diagnose so I write to you as a mother ... A: I'm glad you find my answers helpful. It's my desire to help in whatever I write or say, so your ... | |
| Autism dilemma | 10/22/2011 |
| Q: I know that you are not a doctor so therefore am unable to diagnose so I write to you as a mother ... A: Sandra, First let me mention that in order to receive a diagnosis, a child does not have to have ... | |
| Autism dilemma | 10/20/2011 |
| Q: I know that you are not a doctor so therefore am unable to diagnose so I write to you as a mother ... A: Your question is one that I expect most mothers of atypical children (autistic or otherwise) have ... | |
| Why does my son slap his face? | 9/18/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could help me with this question. I have a two-year-old son. Even though was ... A: I notice that this question was asked a while ago, but I have just joined the site. Perhaps I can ... | |
Answers by Expert:
Melanie R Jones, PT MTC
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am an adult with autism, and have an educational and professional background which helps fill in where needed. Answering questions about autism is extremely easy for me, because I have lived it daily for my entire life. Although individuals with autism are all unique, we have many things in common, especially in the interactions we have with neurotypicals (or those often referred to as "normal"). When something confuses you about an autistic's behavior or needs, I can help. I am not a doctor, however, so I cannot diagnose.
Experience
I have four children, all of whom have special needs related to ASD. I have worked with autism from just about all directions, as a child, peer, parent, employee, patient and therapist. There is so much misinformation about the autism spectrum, partly because it has been described comparatively recently in the medical literature and partly because most of the information published has been provided by those "outside looking in".
As a physical therapist I have had training and experience in behavioral management and rehabilitation which blends well with the neurological, psychological and medical education I persued in college.
Education/Credentials
BA Biology/Psychology Wells College 1981
BS Physical Therapy Upstate Medical Center CHRP 1983
Manual Therapy Certification 1988
Independent Studies
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