Re: Son with Autism/Aspergers

[Guest guest]

I believe he has sensory issues. I suggest you have him see a child psychologist as soon as possible. There are children who eat their feces and smear it all over, etc. I forgot the DX for that but when I worked for a licensed psychologist for 12 years...she had one case of this. I am not trying to scare you but putting these bodily items in his mouth and/or eating them sounds like he is lacking in his sensory area. Pick up some reading material on that or google it. I know my son has issues in this area...he has never done that but he will put lots of weird object in his mouth and chew on them ...pen tops, paper clips, soda can pop tops. Can you grandson chew gum? Would he? This seems to satisfy my son. My son

is now 14 and I think he is self-regulating himself in this area.

Keep us posted to this.

Jan

"In the Midst of Difficulty lies Opportunity" Albert Einstein

Success is not measured by one's position but by the obstacles one has overcome to obtain that position

From: Evon <evonmc@...> Sent: Thu, July 1, 2010 11:56:50 PMSubject: ( ) Son with Autism/Aspergers

Just joined the group and desperately need some help. We have had our 6 year old grandson since he was 3 months old. By the age of 5 weeks he had 18 fractures and had been gagged by his father (who is in prison). We got him from the courts at 3 months of age. At 3 years of age he was diagnosed with autism determined by his fixation on objects, spinning everything, not making eye contact and not wanting to be close to anyone. He was a loner but never shut up. He began talking at 18 months and repeated 7 and 8 minute movie skits by the age of 3, word for word. At the end of his pre K year, he was not potty trained and could not tell you any of his needs. His ONLY conversaton was sentences out of his movies which he had memorized. He played with the train and all those engines just like he was in the movie. He pushed them around the tracks using the exact scenes in the movies.In May 2009, we put him on digestive enzymes and within 60 days he

was potty trained and could carry on a limited conversation with us. We thought we had it made. He only eats food that does not have to be chewed: (breads, ravioli, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc.). If he has to chew it, he gags on it and throws everything up. He is not on any medication other that severe allery meds (allegra, singular, nasocort and breathing treatments). He takes digestive enzymes, Young Living Mightyvites, and Mineral Essence for extra minerals. However, we are now facing things we are not sure how to handle. For the past 3 months, he has been eating things from his body. He has never put anything in his mouth that he was not forced to eat. We have never worried about balls, coins, marbles, small objects because he would not put anything in his mouth and still will not. He will not even put a piece of candy in his mouth. But for some reason he is facinated with his nose, earwax, feces, etc. What do we do? He has become such a

loving child over the past year, we just do not know where to go with this one.

[Guest guest]

Please tell me what types of digestive enzymes you mean? I really think my

daughter could benefit from that.

> In May 2009, we put him on digestive enzymes and within 60 days he was potty

> trained and could carry on a limited conversation with us.

[Guest guest]

I believe it's called "pica".

Roxanna

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

( ) Son with Autism/Aspergers

Just joined the group and desperately need some help. We have had our 6 year old grandson since he was 3 months old. By the age of 5 weeks he had 18 fractures and had been gagged by his father (who is in prison). We got him from the courts at 3 months of age. At 3 years of age he was diagnosed with autism determined by his fixation on objects, spinning everything, not making eye contact and not wanting to be close to anyone. He was a loner but never shut up. He began talking at 18 months and repeated 7 and 8 minute movie skits by the age of 3, word for word. At the end of his pre K year, he was not potty trained and could not tell you any of his needs. His ONLY conversaton was sentences out of his movies which he had memorized. He played with the train and all those engines just like he was in the movie. He pushed them around the tracks using the exact scenes in the movies.

In May 2009, we put him on digestive enzymes and within 60 days he

was potty trained and could carry on a limited conversation with us. We thought we had it made. He only eats food that does not have to be chewed: (breads, ravioli, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc.). If he has to chew it, he gags on it and throws everything up. He is not on any medication other that severe allery meds (allegra, singular, nasocort and breathing treatments). He takes digestive enzymes, Young Living Mightyvites, and Mineral Essence for extra minerals. However, we are now facing things we are not sure how to handle. For the past 3 months, he has been eating things from his body. He has never put anything in his mouth that he was not forced to eat. We have never worried about balls, coins, marbles, small objects because he would not put anything in his mouth and still will not. He will not even put a piece of candy in his mouth. But for some reason he is facinated with his nose, earwax, feces, etc. What do we do? He has become such a

loving child over the past year, we just do not know where to go with this one.

[Guest guest]

Yes, Yes...you are so Right!

"In the Midst of Difficulty lies Opportunity" Albert Einstein

Success is not measured by one's position but by the obstacles one has overcome to obtain that position

From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Sat, July 3, 2010 9:23:41 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Son with Autism/Aspergers

I believe it's called "pica".

RoxannaWhenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

( ) Son with Autism/Aspergers

Just joined the group and desperately need some help. We have had our 6 year old grandson since he was 3 months old. By the age of 5 weeks he had 18 fractures and had been gagged by his father (who is in prison). We got him from the courts at 3 months of age. At 3 years of age he was diagnosed with autism determined by his fixation on objects, spinning everything, not making eye contact and not wanting to be close to anyone. He was a loner but never shut up. He began talking at 18 months and repeated 7 and 8 minute movie skits by the age of 3, word for word. At the end of his pre K year, he was not potty trained and could not tell you any of his needs. His ONLY conversaton was sentences out of his movies which he had memorized. He played with the train and all those engines just like he was in the movie. He pushed them around the tracks using the exact scenes in the movies.In May 2009, we put him on digestive enzymes and within 60 days he

was potty trained and could carry on a limited conversation with us. We thought we had it made. He only eats food that does not have to be chewed: (breads, ravioli, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc.). If he has to chew it, he gags on it and throws everything up. He is not on any medication other that severe allery meds (allegra, singular, nasocort and breathing treatments). He takes digestive enzymes, Young Living Mightyvites, and Mineral Essence for extra minerals. However, we are now facing things we are not sure how to handle. For the past 3 months, he has been eating things from his body. He has never put anything in his mouth that he was not forced to eat. We have never worried about balls, coins, marbles, small objects because he would not put anything in his mouth and still will not. He will not even put a piece of candy in his mouth. But for some reason he is facinated with his nose, earwax, feces, etc. What do we do? He has become such a

loving child over the past year, we just do not know where to go with this one.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

First of all, I have to give you a lot of credit for taking such good care of

your son! He is so lucky to have you, and to receive your care and nurturing.

My DD is on the autism spectrum. I knew that she was different from my other two

children fairly quickly after she was born. (I lost a twin when I was 8 weeks

pregnant). At her Pre-Kindergarten Screening, my suspicions were validated and

she had evaluations completed.

Back to your son, the school district you are in should be taking a more hands

on approach. They have the programs and tools to provide services such as:

Speech & Language, Occupational Thaerapy, Physical Therapy, Counseling, etc.

There is a program called: " Child Find. " This is for younger children, and I am

wondering why he was not found with this program so he could receive services?

My grandaughter is 3.5 yrs., and she is receiving services.

Evaluations are usually the first step. The Doctor should order them, and the

school district has them done. The results are complied, and a IEP (Individual

Education Plan) meeting is set up to go over the results with you. Both you and

the school district are equal team members regarding the IEP and goals. I think

the school may present this idea, if they haven't already. It may be a good idea

to call your State's " Protection and Advocacy " office to obtain a free advocate

to assist you. Each State has these offices.

Tha Autism Spectrum is complicated! Yes, I also believe in co-morbidity. There

is usually another challenge along with autism/aspergers. But, there are many

programs and services available to your son. Most States do NOT have a " Single

Point of Entry. "

Which leaves it up to the caregivers to find what services are available. We

were very lucky, we had a great occupational therapist who helped to educate me

on what I should ask for as far as services.

My child would put things in her mouth, so the OT worked with her and was

successful in redirecting my daughter. It took quite a while for my daughter to

be successful, but I believe that the services she received for a solid five

years at a young age has impacted her life today.

When your son receives the proper therapies, (and please let me make this very

clear: this is not your fault!), you will see an all over improvement. The

therapists work together on the goals your son will have.

If you live near an Autism Center, there is help from them also.

So much can be done now for the sensory issues!

There is also help from your Dept. of Human Services. If he qualifies, they

offer special medicaid waivers. Most States have a waiting list, so it would be

a good idea to get him on the waiting list now.

I will keep you in my thoughts, and hope you receive all of the services for

your son. PICA- yes that is the correct word for eating odd things.

Oh, one last idea: I found it very helpful to keep a looseleaf, and document

everything. Many times, I have had to go back and look at when I called someone,

who I spoke to, and the outcome. These notes come in handy for Dr. appt's also!

Take care,

Donna O., Mom to M, (20 yrs.) with PDD, MR, Epilepsy, Receptive & Expressive

Language d/o, Sensory d/o, Fine & Gross Motor Skill deficets, Sub-mucous cleft

palate, many allergies, etc.

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