My 2 1/2 Yr Old Autistic Son

HI Cristina, you need to hear expirience of my friend, call me I will connect you with her. Her child is normal now.
###-###-####. A. B.

I have been teaching kids with autism for over 10 years now, and, while I don't know the specifics of what your son likes/doesn't like, most kids with autism thrive on routine and order. Knowing what is going to happen will minimize many protest behaviors and therefore minimize the need for discipline. If possible, avoid sudden routine changes. For the times you can't, let him know clearly with simple language (or pictures) what you are going to do. You might want to try a first/then dialogue (First you put away your train, then you can read the book).

There is so much to learn, but the early intervention team will be there to help you. I have been so blessed by all the people with autism in my life, and I wish you the best!

I'm sure lots of moms here have some GREAT advise on discipline. I would like to share with you a little about what I've learned about preventing some of the behaviors that require so much disclipline.

Very often, food allergies or intolerances can cause autistic symptoms. Gluten (found in wheat, rye, barley and some other grains) and diary products have been found to be common problems in kids with autism.

I hope you have been advised by your son's doctor to read about the gluten-free casein-free diet. I continue to be amazed that doctors are not sharing this information with their patients. It is not always a cure-all but can make a huge difference in behavior. A friend of mine finally gave in a tried it and she noticed a difference within days! She took dairy out first and saw a change. Then she started taking out gluten and it got even better. many people have had this experience. If you haven't already, I BEG you to check it out! Just search "gluten autism" online and there will be tons of info.

These links can get you sarted.

Here are a couple of personal stories from people. The 2nd story may be more applicable to you but both are interesting:
http://www.glutenanddairyfree.com/ourstories.html

http://glutencaseinfree.tripod.com/gfcfdiet/id14.html

Here's a good book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1885477449/ref=sib_dp_ptu...

http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/158.cfm

You may also want to look into celiac disease and gluten intolerance to see if you notice the symptoms in other members of your family. It is a genetic condition and people with thesame condition exhibit very different symptoms sometimes. This website is a good starting point to see if it is something you may want to look into.
http://www.celiaccentral.org/What_is_Celiac_/Do_I_Have_Ce...

Read all you can! The information will start to come together. Reading will prepare you to ask questions of your providers. I hope you find some information that may help you and your family.

Take care.

Please, visit this website. http://www.autism.com/dan/ and read about some of the children who have recovered from autism. There is more you can do to help your son than you may know. Autism is now an epidemic, but it can be treated! Thank God! Your pediatrician won't tell you this, but if you take the time to do the research YOU can help your son recover. I'm glad you are getting services, but if you read up on the DAN! protocol you will find even more effective things you can do in conjunction with the therapy.
God bless you and your son.

Contact Sheila Ellison through "Singlemomsconnect.com" - She has a son who is autistic and she has accomplished so much with her son who is now about 18 or so.

She knew so much long before anyone else even ventured into this area as a mom. Her results are remarkable.

Blessings to you ,
B.

I'm not sure where you are located, but if you are in the Bay ARea check out Parents Helping Parents, www.php.com ###-###-####. They have lots of resources and support and a great library so you don't have to buy so many books.
At 2 1/2 years old you have a few things to get started on. In California, contact your local regional center and school district. There is a process of evaluations and stuff that needs to get done to become eligible for programs and services. Learn as much as you can and also don't hesititate to ask for support. A lot of times we moms don't like to admit that we can't do it all on our own. There is support out there from other parents and professionals.

Best of luck to you
J. Jaeger
mom of 16 year old with autism.

Hi, I was a behavioral therapist for autistic kids for 8 years before having my own son, so I have alot of experience here.First try to explain to your daughter (if you havn't already) about her brother. Then when disaplining him the key is to be consistent!! If he is prone to hurting himself make sure that he is in a place where that might be at a minimum then just remember please to follow through with the punishment (whatever you choose that to be).For example if hes having a fit over say a toy or whatever it might be dont give it to him or give in untill he is calm, then you are reinforcing the good behavior instead of bad. I would always tell parents if you want him to act typical you have to treat him typical. If you are getting in home therapy they will halp you with this process. It's going to take some time but he will get there.I hope this was a little helpful, its hard to go into alot of detail in email. If you need any advice you can email me anytime

My son was diagnosed with autism at 4 1/2 yrs. of age. I immediately started biomedical treatments, to detox the metals from vaccines. He was poisoned with mercury from vaccines and MMR triggered his autism. He was severely injured and I had to treat him biomedically first. His gut was very affected by the measles vaccine.
I chelated him (detox the metals from his brain and body) for about 4 yrs. He lost the diagnose in about 8 months. Here is the yahoo group address with all the info regarding the methods I have used: ____@____.com

Consider that most of his behaviors may be due to his medical condition, and it has to be addressed asap. Behavioral therapies are good when accompanied by biomedical intervention (that, is of course, an approach that is specialized for autism -not the regular drugs that drs. prescribe for autism -which do not treat, or cure, but only mask the symptoms).
Good luck and have tons of hope and patience. Don't try to discipline your autistic child as a regular child. Consider his special needs.
Blessings

In San Jose, Parents Helping Parents www.php.com has some support groups for autism.

For my son (now 18) I found the book "Let Me Hear Your Voice" by Catherine Maurice very inspiring. (php has a library). Regional Centers like San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) can provide therapy like that mentioned in the book. At age three the local school district can take over. (I'm thinking when you said your getting him enrolled in services that you have contacted your local regional center)

Displining my son has always been very different that my typical daughter. Time outs never really worked. Redirection has been the most reliable way to keep him out of trouble. For me its easier to keep him occupied than the chase him around and cleanup after him. That can by tricky with an older daughter and a son on the way. Make sure the regional center gives you respite time! You can either be a parent vendor and hire someone to watch/play with him or have them contract with an agency. I've often had a combination of both. The agency (vendor of SARC) Special Home Needs has been good at providing someone to watch my son when I want to go to parent meetings in the evening or out with my husband (and they watch the other kids, too)

Hi C.,

I am a wellness consutant and see children with this same condition. I would like to ask you a question. How does he sleep? That is very important. I work with several doctors that have put together children's wellness expo to address challenges that the children are faced with today, with solutions to help put them in balance.

These challenges are created by our environment, toxins in the body and nutritional needs.

If you would like to learn more email me and I will share some ideas with you.

Have a great weekend.

N. Marie

Hi there I am in MODESTO CA and think I can help you...email me ____@____.com
or call me at ###-###-####
just not today.. it is Friday 30th (4:00 am) and on my way down to Fresno... to have an endoscopy done!!!You can reach me tonight after 8:00 pm or tomorrow at anytime!!! I am also a parent of 2 ASD boys and a Reascue Angel for www.generationrescue.org we have a local parent groups here in the central valley!!

Love, G.. :0)http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

"I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin." ~ Jerry Newport

There is a great group in the area called d social thinking and I have seen a number of families find their resources and support incredibly helpful. http://www.socialthinking.com/

Hi, I agree with alot of what has all ready been said. I've worked with Autistic and other development delayed children for several years. I now work with preschoolers (age 3-5). At the age of your son a icon schedule may work best. You take pictures or clip art of the activity he will do (wash hands, read book, go to sleep, eat dinner, etc.) and cut them into small 1-2 inch squares and laminate them. Put velcro on the back. Then take a piece of cardboard or another board and put the oppisite velcro on it. Have a picture/icon for his whole day. As he finishes an activity (or it's time to go to the next) have him remove that picture and put it in a box (square kleenex boxes work well) or a cup. Then he can see what is next. Sometimes you may have to break the day into segments and just put up the morning, afternoon, and evening schedule at a time so that it does not overwelm him. Punishing an autistic child does not always work. It's better to redirect. If he was pulling his sisters hair you could say "pulling sissys hair is not ok", but then IMMEDIATLY show him what is ok...like "hugging your teddy bear is ok". Remember they do get frustrated and don't always know how to deal with their frustrations....show him the good way. This approach may take repeating before he understand.
These are just some helpful hints. Some of the organizations mentioned all ready are great resources and they should help you too. Email me if you need to vent or need suggestions ____@____.com
Good luck, and remember it can feel like the end of the world, it's not...just a bumpy ride.