my son is 3 and has autism and is developmentally delayed. He's like at the level of a 1 to 2 year old, and he still doesn't say words much. I'm afraid he might have a learning disability, because he doesn't learn things quickly or pick up on things, like following simple commands and other things. He goes half day to a preschool in the afternoons, their morning session is full and so he had to adjust to missing his afternoon nap. In the evenings he love to watch his little kiddie movies, but I feel guilty letting him watch movies for an hour or two because I feel like I should be working with him more. Most of the time I just don't know what to do for him. Does anyone have experience with this? There's got to be some way to break him out of this shell and get him to speak words (a lot of them) and use his brain for things like imaginative play, building things, ect. that other 3 year olds do. I feel like he's missing out on so much because his brain isn't developing much and he doesn't even know and that breaks my heart. He is getting therapy but there's got to be something more I can do.?
S. it sounds like you are doing all you can right now, he is only 3. I have 2 children in my care that had autism one was very severe one was less severe. The two i had did a lot of mimicking, but at times played quietly in a corner by themselves, one thing I didn't so was treat them any different than the other kids, do blocks puzzles, and be very patient, he is only 3. J.
He should also be receiving Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy.
If you live near an university, they may have a Speech therapy program that needs real children to work with. I have found this to be a good way to get more therapy without breaking the bank.
Read to him alot and be brave enough to go out and have him have experiences like the zoo, parks, museums, etc....Talk, talk, talk to him. You can use pictures to help him with words like a picture of a zebra, say zebra, go to the zoo; see a real zebra.
Good luck. Though my son does not have autism, he had a severe language delay with gross and fine motor delays. There was a time that I wondered if he would ever speak. He is now 7 1/2 years old and is above grade level in school. Though obviously every child is different, don't ever give up hope on your child and learn to be his advocate.
Is your son attending preschool in an Early Childhood program? He should have an IEP to specifically set goals for all areas of his development. If he is not, contact your school district administration tomorrow and request that your son be evaluated for the Early Childhood preschool program in your district. Really -- call tomorrow.
If you are getting therapy through the school district, you may want to consider additional (private) therapists for your son.
It's so important for you to talk with his current therapists and have them set concrete goals for him. Tell them exactly what you hope he will be able to do...and see what they say. Find out what they believe he is capable of right now...and what is realistic to expect in the next 6 months and next year.
The most important thing you can do for your son (after loving him!) is to become his Advocate. If you are not seeing results from his therapy -- address it. Explore the different types of therapies (Floor-time, ABA, etc.) and pick one that sounds like it fits you and your son. Ask your therapists to teach you how to help continue his learnings at home. They will have a million play-based ideas.
Unfortunately, and very sadly, there is no single way to solve this problem and "break your son from this shell." With the right therapists, the right therapies and the right early childhood cirriculum, he will make progress and can learn some, if not all, of the things you want him to do. You need to work hard to get your son what he needs...even though no one will exactly know what he needs.
I'm sorry you are going through this. Please try to find a support group in your area for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They will give you SO much excellent information (and will know the best and worst therapists in the area!)
ETA -- If your son is 3, he is no longer eligible for Early Intervention programs. After a child turns 3, services are provided by the school district via Early Childhood program. That's why you need to contact your School District Administration.
Every State, has an "Early Childhood Intervention" organization.
Up until 3 years old, services are free.
They come to your home.
They do an overall developmental assessment. Tell you the results and discuss it with you. It is voluntary.
My son had that for his speech delay. He and I loved it.
They were really great.
I did NOT have to be 'referred' nor by a Pediatrician. I just called them myself.
Do a Google search for the ECI in your State or area.
The only way you will get help and a proper assessment, is from a Professional. That way, you AND your child... will receive proper skills/tools/ideas, on how to help your son and address HIS concerns.
Since your son is 3 already.... through the schools, they have on campus Special Needs classes. My friend's Grandson, is in one at our local public school. It has been great for him.
Oh sorry, you said your son IS receiving Therapy already. Well in that case, your Therapist SHOULD be also informing you of what you can do, as the parent. Because, it goes hand in hand.
Teach him sign language while saying the words for simple things like "More" and "All Done". You can find the hand signals on line. Make him a picture book of photos that include people in his life like you and dad and things he uses every day, like his bed, the TV, any of his favorite toys. Give him small toys in containers so he can take them out and put them back in again. Let him play with a little water in a small plastic tub (like dish pan size) or give a plastic doll a bath. Set up a ramp to race small cars down. Fingerpaint with pudding. Sing songs. Put on music and dance. Maybe you can make sort of a schedule (even though sometimes it will be hard to stick to it) so that you do an activity with him either before or after dinner, then let him watch his movie to start settling down for bed, then read a story (or look at a homemade picture-photo book) then off to bed. Ask his therapist for other ideas and ask how it is best to try to engage him and how frequently you should be trying to engage him vs. letting him rest a bit from his day. I wish you all the best.
My son is 2 and has some "red flags" for autism. One of them is speech delay. Our therapist has us using sign language. We use the signing times dvds from the library. We watch the dvds together and learn the signs together and then reinforce it. He can now sign juice, milk and eat. It's reduced the tantrums and crying a lot and may be helpful to you. We've been doing it for 6 months and he is starting to say juice and milk as well as sign them.
Get involved in a parent group for help, doctors aren't usually very helpful. Consider biomedical treatment it can be very helpful. www.tacanow.org generation rescue and Dr. Bock's book Healing the New Childhood Epidemics may be helpful. My son is 8 with autism. I wish I would have been more aggressive with his treatment when he was young. My son didn't speak until he was 4 1/2. At 8 he still cannot speak in complete sentences. Look into Son-Rise, RDI, and ABA.
I just looked into a school in KCMO on Main street that works with Children with Disabilities. Even if you want to keep him at home, maybe they can help you with any questions you may have. It is called Children's TLC- ###-###-####
hope they can help
Also Parents as Teachers can help. not sure what the number is in Missouri
Talk to his therapist about the ways HE learns best. Ask him/her for suggestions on additional ideas for activities BUT he IS a child and they just need to play their way sometimes. As does ANY child. Differences? Certainly. Similarities? Absolutely!
"Communicating Partners" is a program by James McDonald that people have had lots of success with. Also check out the Floortime method devloped by Stanley Greenspan.
It sounds like you are doing a lot for him, and that you need to give yourself some credit (and a hug!).
If you haven't contact First Steps, please do so, as they can offer assistance.
http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced/FirstSteps/
Also, I 2nd & 3rd the idea of doing sign language; if he likes DVDs, get some sign language for kids/toddlers DVDs (ask your library to help you find good ones).
Something that at least a couple of the universities are doing is having schools that have a high percentage of "normal" kids (what's normal really, but anyway) and autistic kids in a class; the normal kids help the autistic kids learn how to interact socially and do things like imaginative play. You can contact your local state university's education dept and see if they know of anything like this.
And find a autism support group for yourself, so you can talk to other moms & dads who know exactly where you're coming from, and can give you the hugs and support you need, as well as helping you find local resources. This might be a good place to start: http://www.missouriautismcoalition.com/
(((hugs)))
If your son has been diagnosed with autism your son's doctor shold be able to provide you with a variety of resources that are at your disposal. A good friend of mine has an almost 3 year old that was diagnosed ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) becuase he was a little to young to just lable him with autism. For the last year he has been recieving EI (early intervention therapy) speach and occupational therapy each once or twice a week. Some are in home and some they go to the office for. My friend doens't pay for any of this insurance covers it all. Look into what is avaliable in your area.
Can you spend some time watching the movies with him and talking to him about what it happening? That way you are interacting with him in his world. Check out Floortime therapy - it follows the interests of the child so you are able to make a more natural connection with him and therefore encourage more spontaneous responses http://www.icdl.com/DIRFloortime.shtml
Dear Sara:
i work for the Missouri Family-2-Family Disability and Health Resource Center at the Institute for Human Development, UMKC. We have resources that can assist, as well as mentor parents that are raising or have raised children with the same or a similar diagnosis who could talk with you and share tips and ideas. Please give me a call or send an e-mail to me--info is below--there is no charge for these services!
J. Hatfield-Callen ###-###-#### ____@____.com
