my 3yr old is mildly autistic. any educational suggestions. she is already in speech,behaviorl and ot therapy.
341753
It sounds like you already have your bases covered. Does your school district have a special needs preschool teacher certified in any of the Autistic-spectrum teaching methods? Is she attending it? Your IFSP should include the therapies you mentioned, plus social instruction programming (at a preschool), plus a social worker helping you access local and state resources.\n\nRight now, you should be shopping carefully and laying the groundwork for her kindergarten enterance. Does your district centralize their Autistic instruction at one of the elementary schools, or will they be expecting your neighborhood school's special ed teachers to take her?\n\nEither is fine, but if she will be going to the neighborhood school, you need to meet with the teacher(s) who will be working with her year after next. Find out if they currently have Autistic program training, prior experience with Autistics, familiarity with Autistic programs even if not currently trained... If not, you're giving them an alert that going to those conferences and doing some homework might be a good thing during the next year. They are (or should be) professional enough to prepare themselves for your daughter's arrival.\n\nIf you feel uncomfortable about the special ed kindergarten teacher's abilities at your local school after meeting with him/her, ask to observe the programs he/she is currently running.  If it still doesn't feel right, or the teacher is hostile to your questions about their training/experience, don't hesitate. Get hooked up with your local or state parent's advocacy group and let them know your concerns. They may know more about that teacher and his/her history. They will either reassure you about giving the teacher a chance, or they will come in with you to the district to arrange for a different teacher for your daughter.\n\nIf you can start her off right in kindergarten, with a good teacher and a good program, she stands a good chance of doing extrememly well by the time she reaches high school. My husband is a Drama teacher for 8th and 9th graders, and he has had a high-functioning autistic in his program for two years, with great results (his second in 10 years of teaching). Both kids were taking all regular ed classes, with continued therapies and a special ed teacher providing inclusion support.\n\nHang in there!
501999
I would first suggest speaking with the special education teachers at your child's school or other knowledgeable professionals who know your child and his needs. \n\nBased on the information that you have shared, I think that the best intervention for him now would be speech therapy. \n\nAs for the finger biting, you might try teaching him an alternative behavior to use when frustrated. Each child will be unique in what helps him or her, but you could try giving him something to fiddle with his hands, such as a small stretchy toy or a "stress ball" to squeeze. I would try a variety of things until you find what works for him. \n\nJust because a child has a label of autism does not necassarily mean that he or she needs intense early intervention. Each child is unique and has different needs. Many persons with high-functioning autism go through school in regular classes with little extra support. \n\nHere are some extra resources that may help.\n\nBooks: \n\nJerry Newport, "Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome"\n\nPaul Collins, "Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism"\n\nPaula Kluth, "You're Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Students With Autism in the Inclusive Classroom"\n\nWebsites: \n\nTeaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism by Temple Grandin, Ph.D - http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html\n\nWebsite of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. - http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html\n\nAutism Society of America - http://www.autism-society.org/ \n\n"Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm" - http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-autism,0,6196233.story\n\n"Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me. I may not be good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed I don't lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates, or pass judgment on other people? ... I probably won't be the next Michael Jordan, but with my attention to fine detail and capacity for extraordinary focus, I might be the next Einstein. Or Mozart. Or Van Gogh. They had autism too." - Ellen Notbohm
615936
There is no cure- only treatment.  Behavioral training, speech and occupational therapy, and parent education and support can often improve a child's problem behaviors, communication skills, and socialization. Medications are sometimes helpful as well. A child with autism responds best to a highly structured, specialized educational program tailored to his or her individual needs. However, specific treatment varies depending on the range of individual symptoms, which can combine in many different ways and change over time.
785616
Please tell me, are you in the U.S.A.?  Including your location will help us answer you better, because laws and opportunities vary and mentioning your area may encourage answerers from your location.\n\nIn the USA the laws  are such that the public school which cannot provide the appropriate learning environment may have the option to send the child (until 21 years of age if needed) to another public school in the county or an "approved private school" (at least that's the term in Pennsylvania, USA) and the public school pays the cost of tuition and transporation.\n\nIf your son has a specific diagnosis, you may be able to find the right public or private school by searching on the internet using the diagnosis for example "autism", "private school", "reviews", and your general location fro example "Montgomery county, PA"\n\nThere are schools and knowledgable & caring educators out there!   Your teenager is not the only one who needs special attention and structure.  There are also parent/guardian support groups on line and probably in your local area, ask the doctors or specialists you've dealth with or the area hospitals or libraries as groups often meet there.  Depending on your situation, you may find some ways to teach or support his learning at home with specifically designed learning materials -- ask his doctors or therapists for recommendations and since he is 16 you need to get him "on board" with the desicions, if he can help make some of the choices and work with you as a team he will be better motivated to work hard and continue to develop.\n\nAsk more questions about specifics as you need to, there are teachers, parents, siblings, and child advocates "listening" who understand your situation (I'm all of the above and still advocating for my adult brother and my teenager)  God Bless you!
653696
DON'T WAIT UNTIL HE STARTS SCHOOL!\n\nEarly intervention is key in cases of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Nonverbal Learning Disorder, and delayed speech.\n\nPlease ask her to take the following steps immediately:\n\nFind a pediatrician that specializes in children with developmental disabilities.\n\nContact the school system for a complete evaluation (this is free, and could have been before the child trained 3!).\n\nThe school system will choose a team of professionals to evaluate the child, including, but not limited to a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a school adjustment counselor, a school psychologist, a teacher and an expert in special education.  His parents  will be part of the team, and they may bring any experts they so choose to the team meetings.\n\nThe child's new pediatrician will submit a recommendation for the services the child needs.  The child may require an independent evaluation by additional specialists (pediatric neurologist, etc. to develop a treatment plan.\n\nMake sure that the team adopts the recommendations of his pediatrician and specialists in their entirety; appeal the team's decision, if necessary.\n\nThe team will develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that specifies the services to be provided and the frequency of the provision, as well as the modifications that will be made to "regular" education to accommodate him.\n\nHis parents have the right to accept or reject the IEP, in whole or in part, and appeal same, in whole or in part.  If they choose to appeal and another, independent evaluation is required, the school must pay for the evaluation.\n\nThe school system is required BY LAW to provide early intervention services beginning at age 3, so he will probably begin in a special program, immediately.\n\nThis is a very complex subject not easily dealt with in this forum, however the above is a start.  DON'T WAIT!
89258
I don't know, I live in FL and teach children with autism, but if I were you, I would check out the chamber of commerce.  Also, the following websites my be able to help you.  Good Luck
623474
My little sister had Downs Syndrome and she is also 5 turning 6 in June. I love her so much. she has just been a blessing from God. When she (your downs child) starts to want to talk, be patient, and have more conversations with her. try to put her in a advanced class with other kids, because kids learn from each other. therapy's is what my little sister benefitted the most, so see if you qualify for Medicaid that help with health insurance to pay for therapy's. play therapy, speech therapy, music therapy theres so many! but most of all, dont give up. yes downs kids need more attention and take a lot of caring for especially because the chances are very few  Downs kids ever  live normal lives. but the point is that no matter what, have hope. every time you see your childs face, it must bring you joy because thats exactly the way i feel when i look at my sister. she has that metal capability of a 3 yesr old, even though she's 6, but they way i see it, even if i do end up having to take care of her when im older and my parents are too old to take care of her, i will. Downs kids are stubborn, happy, one track minded, artistic, flexible, and truly amazing. one thing that you will REALLY gain from this experience is learning to be patient with them.
308748
For learning her ABC's, you can use any computer really. I would recommend including a Touch Screen, and a one-button mouse with your purchase, to make interaction with the computer much easier for her. You must be VERY patient with her regarding her learning to interact with the computer, and with her learning the content of the programs. \n\nWhat country are you in? If you are in the United States, then even if your daughter is on a "Life Skills" certficiate track at school, she should have goals relating to learning reading (actually, goals relating to each of the core academic subjects). Talk with your daughter's special education teacher about which goals tie in to the reading/language arts state standards and benchmarks. No Child Left Behind and the new reauthorization of IDEA requires that she have academic goals in the five core areas (Reading, Writing, Math, Science/Social Studies). However, your daughter may still be working on pre-reading and pre-writing goals that lead up to the regular standards. Ask about what activities they have been doing with her for the eventual acquisition of print recognition and writing. The school probably also has had your daughter on a computer already, for at least once per week (in the school computer lab or on a classroom computer).\n\nFrom your saying that you wish to "open up communication," I take it your daughter does NOT speak?  If she is not talking, then there are touch-board communication devices that greatly assist with basic communication. They range from 2 panels up to dozens of panels.  Once again, IF you are in the United States, your IEP committee should be looking at how to help her express herself in social communication. What does your Speech Pathologist say? Has your committee done an assistive technology assessment?\n\nFor your home computer, I would recommend the Reader Rabbit series, starting with their Infant, and then Pre-School programs, so that your daughter can learn how the computer works. Also, try the activities at these links (not all may interest her, but they are worth a try):\n\ngood training for computer interactivity and basic vocabulary skills at...\nhttp://www.pctots.com/infant-development.htm\n\nthen add...\nhttp://www.learningcompany.com/\nhttp://www.getreadytoread.org/content/view/101/317/\nhttp://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/?scrollerId=games\nhttp://www.4thekidstoystore.com/edso.html
219863
Since you didn't realize I was being sincere with my answer on David Duke, I want to let you know that I don't joke when it comes to children...so the below is sincere.\n\nEcholalia presents in many types of patients, and for a number of reasons.  However, echolalia in very young children is a natural means of learning speech.  In older children it sometimes presents along with a diagnosis of autism.  Echolalia is at times present with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.\n\nDoes the child simply repeat words or phrases that are spoken to him/her?\n\nDoes he/she present with symptoms of echophraxia? This is imitation of characteristics/movement of another person.  My 4-year-old daughter presents with echophraxia/echolalia, yet as she gets older this is disappearing.  She appears to be a normal child.\n\nI have often thought of autism as being a disorder than can be paliated by therapeutic approaches, however, it appears that in this approach, one treats behaviors as well.  There are several approaches to treating echolalia.  Apparently, therapists believe that echolalia is somehow intrinsically rewarding to the autistic child and don't attempt to mitigate.  However, research has come up with some approaches to treat echolalia.  I provide a link below that looks very interesting.\n\nPallalia is normally a symptom of Parkinson's Disease (PD).  Is there an elderly person staying with you? If so, I'm really sorry.  It can be very hard on your nerves when this symptom is pronounced.  I suppose stutternig could also be part of an autistic's symptoms, but I'm afraid that I can't help with that.  Best Regards.
906836
Hi\nSorry you got such a stupid first answer. And then, the second response was so unhelpful and patronizing! Gee, what does she think that every parent that gets such diagnosis is jumping in one leg with joy ?" cool, my child is autistic. Now we can be in the in crowd." She needs to have her head checked. We are just going through the diagnosis and I know it is a very painful and sad stage in the life of any parent in that situation. And I am sure that aside from maybe not speaking your child has other symptoms. Otherwise, you would not have gotten the diagnosis. \nAnyway, I just wanted to tell you that I posted yesterday a very similar question, so if you click in my profile, you will see the answers that I have gotten so far and they are all a zillion times more helpful that the ones you got. I hope they help! Also, I just found out through my sister that lives in Miami, that they have two great schools there. One is private in Dade County  "The Carrie Brazer Center for Autism and Alternative Approaches, Inc.' (visit their home page at www.cbc4autism.org) and a public one Mailman Center for Child Development in Broward County.\nRight now, I am living in Switzerland and they have a fabulous school in Mongre its called FEDEA and the instruction is in English or French. Each child has his own teacher!!! And they have daily outings, they use the ABA Method, and its an amazing school but there is no financial assistance and the cost is seventy thousand swiss francs per year with translates into $ 56, 000.00 per year. So needless to say, unless you are quite rich the cost is prohibitive. That is why I'll have to move back home soon. Good luck to you! And if you need someone to talk to or excahnge info just email me.
177527
I am a parent of a child with mild to high functioning autism. I have tried some support groups online and am not happy with them. Feel free to email me anytime at sbirch5@yahoo.com. I know what you are going through. I would love to hear about your child.
206430
My child is three, and autistic, and has sleep issues, too. I use products from Melaleuca, the one that helps him has chamomile, so you could try that. You can buy chamomile tea at any store. If he doesn't like the taste of it, make it up then mix it with juice, or whatever you give him to drink. Just don't let him see you do it. What I use helps him sleep, but doesn't knock him out, I even give it to him during the day to help calm his tantruming.
236437
From one special needs mom to another....you don't\nYou didn't mention what types of issues your child has  or your child's age but for most special needs children mouthing is a sensory issue ie they do it because it is soothing or helps them focus. Have a set of things that are okay to mouth and if they are mouthing something else give them one of the okay items. Since this may be a comfort issue for your child try not to make a big deal out of it as anxiety will increase the behavior my son finally stopped when he was about 4. If this is a major concern for you talk to a occupational therapist that specializes in working with sensory issues they will have lots of good ideas \nGood Luck\n\nBTW in most states it is considered child abuse to put pepper sauce on anything and give it to a child to break behaviors so please be aware if you choose to try something like this
830540
There are several networking services and autism discussion forums in your area. Some you may want to check out include:\nhttp://www.autismlink.com/discussion/\nhttp://www.autismlink.com/states.php?state=CT\nhttp://www.autismsocietyofct.org/\nhttp://www.ctfeat.org/\nhttp://www.ct-asrc.org/\nhttp://www.ctautism.org/\nBest wishes!\n~Shanynn
292997
This may be a long shot but get in touch with Devereux NJCA and perhaps they could direct you in finding a way to locate a preschool for Autistic Children. They network alot in several states.
546747
I agree, the AQ and other similar tests are the most prevalent. You can download one yourself at http://www.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/default.asp\n\nto look at, very interesting, and there are other good indicators at that address as well, notably the checklist for autism in toddlers (CHAT)\n\nAll the best, if you are facing autism I wish you all the luck!
1014790
Congrats on your baby! The most important thing you can do is spend time with your child. Sound too easy? It is well worth it. Love them, care for them, talk to them, sing to them, read to them, play with them, cuddle them, show lots of affection. The "teaching" part will come easily enough. You will discover that your child wants nothing more than your attention and time, and when they get that, they will shine!