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[A792]Autistic Spectrum Disorder Symptoms

by Michaela Scherr, Mic

As parents we’ve reinforced to him that he doesn’t have a disability, just a different way of processing information and viewing life. He exhibits minor smatterings of this disorder and medically, he’s totally fit and healthy and has never been on medication (though this had been suggested).

We often re-affirm how smart he is and discuss with him the many different types of genius each person has. In his case, it’s the amazing cartooning style he has and his black and white sketches and although totally colour blind, his paintings using colour are also unique and beautiful.

I recently asked his permission to write about him and ASD as my intention was to write how we dealt with this as a family, and that someone else might also benefit from it. He kindly gave me his permission and here’s what he says:

I don’t really understand things – I look around and see what everybody else in class does but I can’t understand what’s going on (in maths class).

I get very upset and stressed with myself and feel stupid with what’s going on around me in class and I hate myself for it.

I always suspected that there was something different about me. It was confirmed when my parents finally told me.

I feel good that I’ve been told, but not good about the ASD. Now I feel more stupid and dumb as well as disabled.

The fact is I fall under ASD but I would rather know than not, it explains why I have difficulty with certain things.

Dad could’ve told me in a different way about the ASD, he should’ve just got straight to the point. He (dad) told me in a roundabout way as did mum and I’d rather have been told more to the point and then had it explained to me more.

It makes me angry when I tell other children about the ASD because they think I’m joking and say there’s nothing wrong with me. It’s sort of good to know they don’t believe me because it makes me feel more normal.

ASD makes me angry because I have to deal with the fact I have ASD.

When I think, I move my fingers, it clarifies things for me.

I really need help with mathematics.

All I want now is to become very intelligent.

Flowers essences have helped me to calm down, release stress and to think better.

My advice to other parents of ASD children is to give them more attention, not just from the parents but also from teachers. Give them extra tuition with subjects they have trouble with, and tell them there’s nothing wrong with them, they just think differently.

What we did that worked for us:

Never making idle promises. When he was very little and something had been promised it became his reality, when the promise didn’t eventuate all hell broke loose;

If old fashioned parenting didn’t work, something new was tried. Yelling and screaming makes things worse not better;

Set firm boundaries which were explained and why, and then enforced them;

Willingness to try new/alternative health therapies, I’ve tried many, some with great success;

Turned to brain exercises by visiting a brain gym® instructor. Brain gym (educational kinesiology) enhances learning and performance in all areas. We noticed a difference in our son almost immediately and followed up with teachers and after school care coordinators who also noticed a difference;

Flower essences;

Some coaching but only when he was in the right head space;

Listening and noticing changes however subtle (he’s quite introverted);

Chose an age where we felt he’d understand what ASD means without adding too much technical information.

Several weeks ago he was one of the top ten Community award winners for water-saving strategies. We met the Lord Mayor as well as the other nine water-saving families of the city at an awards ceremony. Today we found out he’s also been awarded a Young Star Award in the category of Community and have been invited to an awards evening in the coming weeks. He’s also in the running for the overall Young Star Award to be awarded in June 2006. To say we’re proud of him is an understatement.

It’s been hard work and at times very tiring, particularly the very early years, and has required a ton of patience, thinking outside the square and consistency with our parenting techniques.

Reflecting on my life now I simply couldn’t imagine life without him in it. He’s opened my heart and expanded me as a human beyond my wildest imagination and for that I shall always be thankful.

It was not until the mid 20th century that the world became aware that autistic spectrum disorders existed. In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner began to study a group that included 11 children and labeled the disorder that affected them as being what we know today as autism. At the same time, Dr. Hans Asperger, a German scientist, was describing a milder disorder within the same spectrum known as Asperger syndrome.

Today, we know it to be one of five developmental disorders that are often referred to as the autism spectrum disorders. Each illness in the autism spectrum will vary in degrees, with regard to an individual's impairment. The impairments include problems with communication skills, the inability to socially interact with others and behavior patterns that are both restrictive and repetitive.

The parents of a child are normally the first to notice the signs of an autistic spectrum disorder. These disorders can actually rear their heads before the child is even three years of age. Children who have autism spectrum disorders do not act like other children.

They may be withdrawn socially and may stare off into space and not respond when their name is called. However, there are instances of the disorder not showing up until later, such as when a child, who once acted as a normal toddler, suddenly begins to show signs.

Disorders may range from the milder form in the autism spectrum, normally referred to as Asperger syndrome, to a more severe form known as an autistic disorder. There is also high functioning autism, which shows symptoms very close to Asperger syndrome. If a child seems to have symptoms of autism, either the mild or the more sever form, yet does not fall under a certain criteria for one of these disorders, then they are normally diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder.

While it may not be a concern if a child is showing signs of delayed development, they should be evaluated by a doctor. It is important to let your physician know if you see any developmental delays in your child. If they do indeed have one of the disorders within the autistic spectrum, then there are steps that can be taken to help the child increase their development and also help the family to deal with the disorder.

Even after an autism spectrum disorder is found, individuals can, in many cases learn to be functioning individuals; however, if the disorder is disregarded and nothing is done, then there is a possibility of severe delays in both communication and social skills. It is always important when any developmental delays seem apparent that the child's physician be consulted.

Article Source : classic autism

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Both Michaela Scherr & Mike Selvon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Michaela Scherr has sinced written about articles on various topics from Stress Management, Energy Healing and Autism. Copyright requirements are that it remains with Michaela Scherr and for the link to be clickable or ‘live’.Michaela is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and intuitive who is totally co. Michaela Scherr's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Mike Selvon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Camping, Allergies and Personal Desktop. Enrich your knowledge further about disorders from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our. Mike Selvon's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.