A question about autism in children

Question

My nephew is 3 years and 6 months. He cannot talk yet apart from a few words and even then cannot pronounce it correctly. He also doesn't know how to socialise with other children, loves opening and slamming doors and had terrible crying tantrums as a baby. He is also still in nappies. My sister has had him assessed and although the word "autism" has never come up, the doctors say he has not developed in some areas of learning, although physically he is normal. I just assumed that he would be a bit slow, but once he gets to school he would catch up and be normal. Then last night I saw on TV a boy who was similar to my nephew at the age of 3 then again at the age of 9. He still found it difficult to talk, held his hands in an odd way and was only socialising with his younger cousin. I then realised that my nephew may not grow to be normal. I don't know anything about autism. How will it affect his life? Will he be able to have a job, wife, family?

Answer 1

A sure sign of Autism is if he won't look a stranger in the eyes, or if he won't let them touch him. But here's a little info on Autism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

P.S. If you think he has it, talk to your sister, she may get sad or mad, but tell her you are there for her and that she needs to take him to see a doctor and get tested.

P.P.S I'm sorry but most children with autism can't really get married and have a family, let alone get a job.

P.P.P.S I really recommend this book, The curious incident of the dog in the nighttime. It's about a child with Aspegers, which is very similar to autism. It's really good, and it helped me understand the disease. The book is told from the point of the boy.

Answer 2

My nephew is now 18 and is autistic. When he was a little boy they first taught him to use pictures to show his mother what he needed. Then he was taught sign language and finally he started to speak using words and signs at first then his own words. He has been in school since the age of 3. He will never be married, drive a car, have children as most young men do. When he was 16 , he was sent to a home to live, not because his mom wanted to , believe me it was the hardest decision she ever had to make and still cries about it daily. But he is doing well in this home. They told his mother when he was 12 that he had learned all he could, boy were they wrong!!! He is still learning every day! Please have his mom to take him to be assessed again. He will be ok! My nephew is considered high functioning, he has a great sense of humor, he loves music and art. He is very special to me !!!

Answer 3

My cousin has autism. See how he reacts to different thigs such as toys, music things like that. Does he laugh at funny things? Does he get scared when something comes up behind him? If he doesn't have a normal reaction you might have him assessed again my someone different.

It depends on how severe the autisim is. My cousin will probley never be able to have a job, drive, have a family, or any of the normail things people do.

Best of luck and God be with you and your family!

Answer 4

First, you need to talk to your sister about these concerns.  He may be autistic, and he's not too young to be diagnosed.  Also, depending on what state you live in, he may be eligible for various services including occupational and speech therapy as well as pre-school or headstart.  A good place to start is your local children and youth agency-- they are a great resource and can help you/your sister find various services/providers.  The important thing is to get him the help he needs sooner rather than later.  Thiswill give him his best shot of living the fullest life he can....And to spite what some other people have said, there is a chance that a person with autism can get a job, possibly have a family, drive, etc.  It really depends on the severity.

Answer 5

hi there,

u can go to this website where u can know more abt autism:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autis...

as long as i know, these autistic children are normally have beahviour problems. they dont like loud sound and tends to change their behaviour frequently. some like to suck their fingers, play with water and so on. but they are very clever. some autistic children are hyperactive where they'll start to cry,shout and jump if they dont like the environment. i think u better consult physician to know more abt autism. and the best way u can do is visit any training centres where they offer training for all kind of disabilities. if there's any autism centre nearby, u can just have a look on how they behave and so on. it may help u more rather than reading an article.

Answer 6

Please please please read the book "A friend like Henry"

It is all about a boy and his family who struggle with Autism. There are also a lot of great resources and websites listed in the back of this book.

Try to remember that there isn't any such thing as "normal" only "unique" and it really doesn't matter what people do and don't achieve so long as their happy.

No matter what the diagnosis or outcome love can go a very long way and often the happiest people in life are not neccassairly the happiest.

Answer 7

You need to look up Jenny McCarthy and her new book. She is with Jim Carrey, and has recently written a book about the HUGE changes in her autistic son, and how he talks to them, and even more. They have really been speaking out about it. There is so much hope, and changing nutrition/intake changes them for the better, for real!