How can i HELP my son with autism?

Question

i want to do as much for my 3 year old son with autism/pdd-nos as i possibly can...speech is our main concern but not only limited to that...help!

Answer 1

http://www.snowdrop.cc

Answer 2

Here is some information specifically on PDD-NOS

http://www.autismspeaks.org/navigating/p...

My advice is to learn as much as you can about it.  Find areas around your home that might have early inervention.  The earlier you start treatment, the better the outcome.

Answer 3

Early intervention is essential!  Depending on where you live, there may be services (i.e. preschool, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, and behavioral interventions) available to you at little or no cost.  My family lives in Arizona and my youngest sister has autism and has been receiving services through the state since she was diagnosed at the age of 2 (she is now 9 years old).  My sister is involved in a verbal behavior program and my mom has a board-certified behavior analyst come to our home every few months to work on a behavior plan that will also increase her use of language.  There are tons of "cures" and treatments but there aren't too many that are proven effective.  Ultimately, you know your child best, so learn as much as you can and decide what types of treatments you believe to be beneficial and practical to you and your lifestyle.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Is your son enrolled in school?  He should be in a public school program for children with Autism.  The school system has to start educating children at the age of 3 with a disability.  

Ask the special education teacher was techniqes they are using at school so you can do the same thing at home.

My child using the picture exchange communication (pecs) system.  Speech was a main concern and now she is using pec's all the time.

Try your local community autism resources or autism society of america.

Answer 5

There is no simple answer to the complex situations that you face as a parent of a child with autism.  However, here are some suggestions that may help you in the process of addressing your son's needs:

* Learn all you can abut autism

* Learn about ABA

* Develop close and supportive relationships with those that service your son

* Join an autism parent support group

* Develop of circle of friends and family that can help share the responsibility

* Take time for yourself to unwind without him

Answer 6

I am interested in reading problems. I have found a homeschooling group on yahoo groups that specializes in dyslexia. I am sure there are similar groups for parents of autistic children, and for autistic adults. Start googling, and good-luck!

Answer 7

I think that recognizing the top limit of this disability is most important.  Then work with your son to always aim toward that top limit.  Speech will come, along with social training and understanding of social things...not that you shouldn't work on speech, but if I am right, the social deficits are causing your son some trouble and this is the area that affects his adult happiness and abilities most significantly.  I have worked w/kids whose adult outcomes were quite successful, and they  CAN be happy and productive adults.  Early childhood training and intervention in the social areas, was what I felt helped the most - other things fall into place.  Example:  with the ability to get along with others, a high-functioning boy with pdd/nos or Asperger's, who graduated from my program about 6 years ago, lived in a college dorm room with another boy and did well.  Without early intervention, that would be very unlikely to happen.  (However, at first his parents did have to pay extra and get him a private dorm room until he learned a few extra social graces pertaining to dorm mates).

I can't say enough about the social areas affecting EVERY area of pdd spectrum problems - so even if the educational areas aren't as good, a student can grow up to be a happy person.  I stress this because if you've seen kids on some area of the spectrum and they just CANNOT be happy, but are mainly nervous, fearful, unhappy, etc. - booklearning can't help them with this....only the social skills training.  And also

intervention w/talk therapy/counseling, etc. to build confidence and self-esteem, once they realize what their disability truly is and want to be "like everyone else."

Froggie #1  (retired SPED teacher)

Answer 8

Join a support group...educate yourself about autism...get on it as soon as possible because ages 3-5 are KEY with autistic children...get him in a head start or some kind of program asap....set up a routine that you can live with at home that can be done day in and day out with him...kids with autism do well when things are regimented and predicable.  Find other parents in your situation.  They are out there.  Cut yourself some slack, because it isn't easy and it is a lot of work.  Think outside the box for solutions.  Speech is a great focus... don't give up on that goal.  Good luck!