autistic childern

You are right. I used to work with nonverbal low functioning kids with Classic Autism. They were often on the "Severe to Profound" scale, with a few with normal intelligence, but very severe communication and sensory functioning. If one looks at the stats there are really no more of these kids, per 100,000 people, then there was 20, 30 or 40 years ago. The less severe types "on the spectrum" are what we are seeing more of now. Not the Classic, Rimland diagnosis Autism. And, I think even seeing "more" of these "spectrum" children is more a case of better diagnostic skill, and opening of the diagnostic umbrellla, then more actual "autistic" children. The thing is, there were ALWAYS people with these "spectrum" issues. My family as well as my dh's are full of them. Until about 20 years ago, they were simply considered either "Mentally Retarded" or just "odd" if they could function. It's good that these children are being recognized and diagnosed, but the terms need to be changed, so that children who are truely Autistic can get the help they need so badly. These are not kids who are going to be able to function in society, in any way, without help.

I think that when the diagnosis has been broadend then the kids who have severe Classic Autism (which you still see rarely) miss out, as the money and the resources are too spread out. My kids are NOT "Autistic" and I think that kids who truely are need to be diagnosed in their own classification, so they can get the help they need, as many of these children can't even communicate at ALL, even though you know there is someone in there......

 

I think this is why we held off for so long in learning what was different about my son. I just saw my son as possibly having OCD and craving extreme structure. And yes, I agree... the "umbrella" needs to change. The concept of Autism is being watered down to where people think ANYONE under that umbrella just needs a pill or a diet change & they'll be right as rain. That's not fair to anyone. I'm coming from the other end of the spectrum where people hear that Asperger's is a type of "high functioning autism" and constantly want to know things like if he's every going to be able to hold down a job or live independently.

Things need to change, so people from BOTH ends of the spectrum can get the help that they need. It's just too broad to really help anyone at this point.
love,
mom

 

Amen!



:agree:

 

Do you have your child on any kind of therapy? Diet can help a lot but it won’t do too much. Most states offer assistance for autistic children to get them the help they need so that can function and a "normal level".
I don't want to offend any one by saying norm all that means that in many cases they can gain language, social skill, raise IQ and much more through behavioral treatment. There are no drugs of any kind involved. Dr. Ivar Lovas did and still does amazing work with autistic children with amazing results. http://www.lovaas.com this website talks all about what does. It is a very intensive treatment and the younger that child is when it starts the better. It is the best treatment for autistic children and parents and involved in every step of the process and trained how to do all the therapy techniques. I have worked with autistic kids and seen amazing results.

 

Wow!! I don't feel so alone now. We have tried the wf/gf diet but Freedom only eats a few types of foods. Mostly carbos and a few fruits. He has an undying love for chips, cheese, salsa(he eats this daily and is one of the only foods that can touch each other) and granny's homemade soups. We try to buy most of our groceries if not all from our local organic store.
At school, Freedom has speech, occupational, physical, and reading therapists. In the school's kitchen, they have a frig shelf with "trusty back-ups" for lunch.

 

Oh wow, a bump! My son & I went gluten-free on November 1st of 2006. He was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, Dysgraphia, and "possible OCD." He is now 12 years old.

Before the switch, my son worried about literally everything, vented his aggressions physically, and was absolutely obsessed with following rules AND making sure that others did as well. He also had some facial tics that were "odd" but not necessarily a problem. Since the switch his aggression has diminished incredibly. He still has "physical days" where he's got to be moving & swinging at things, but the fact that he's able to see this in himself and say "I've gotta run around" or "I've gotta go punch something" is a miracle unto itself. He is able to concentrate on his lessons now without having a tantrum or going stir-crazy, and we have been able to discuss rules with him - and what we say is finally sinking in. The tics are all but gone as well. They come back when he's highly excited (Christmas) or worried about something, (sick pets) but for the most part they've gone as well.

I don't think it would be fair to claim that the GF diet did ALL of this. We have also been working on in-home OT & anger-management techniques, and... he's "growing up" for lack of a better term. He's older now, and is just plain better at thinking of others & controlling his temper than he was at 10 years old. But I DO feel that it helps. I asked him about the GF diet on his one-year anniversary, and this is what HE said:

"I think the Gluten-Free diet is a good thing. I didn't want to change, because I thought it would mean no more pizza or cookies. But it's not like that. I like the new recipes we've tried, and how much fun it is when we find a safe food we haven't had in awhile, like those oats. What I like most though, is it's easier to sit and read now. I still get mad at people, but I don't have to yell about it. And (little sister) says I don't hit her as much anymore either. So she is happier with me, and that makes me happy too."

I guess that about sums it up
love,
mom