Raising Awareness!?

Question

I know most people would ave come accross the word "Autism" at 1 point in their life, mostly 2 do wiv Aspergers Syndrome.

I ave a unique brother which since an early age was diagnosed wiv a condition called "Kanner's Autism".

my parents ave done a great job in lookin after him all his life,

my Mother has written 2 books so far 2 help raise awareness his condition, as not many people ave herd of this..

Answer 1

my 12 yr old has autism and its been hard especially his early years when people didnt know quite how to handle him or what to do with him-he is now the most loving co nsiderate boy(i have 3 other children) he is in the top sets for every subject in school-hes a credit to his school (as his teachers ring me every other week to tell me) and hes definitely heading for university-i do worry about his future but at least  the days dont seem as dark now good luck to your brother and family-with any child you get what u put in and its paid off for your family and mine x

Answer 2

Actually you are right in saying that asperger syndrome is spoken of

much more than autism.  Most of the news, radio and media coverage in

general tend to concentrate on those who are higher functioning.  

People at the lower end of the spectrum with Kanner autism are seldom

acknowledged, e.g those who do not speak or even understand broken

sentences, those who do not have any life skills and are fully

dependent on families and those who need 24 hour care.  Asperger's and

autism are both fascinating conditions, but as you rightly said, the

lower end of the spectrum is very different and does need to be

acknowledged and discussed.

Answer 3

Great to hear from you Michael.  Sounds like your mum has done a fantastic job.  I am the father of a little boy who suffers from autism so I know how stressful the situation can be.  I shall definitely be buying a copy of your mum's books.

Perhaps you could recommend my book to her.  It is called 'Autism: A guide to understanding and helping your child.'  It is available through the following website.

http://www.snowdrop.cc

Best wishes.

Answer 4

I think anyone with a passing interest or child with autism or an autistic spectrum disorder will have heard of Leo Kanner who first diagnosed what would become Kanner's autism. This classic form of autism has since been divided into sub groups such as the one diagnosed by Hans Asperger. Many psychologists have since discovered that because autism is a very large and varied spectrum there are many different varieties contained within it. I do think it is a little naive to suggest that people have never heard of such an eminent psychologist as Leo Kanner.

Answer 5

Yes I have heard of Kanners Autism. It's sometimes known as "early infantile autism".

I have a child with Autism. Child....what am I talking about? He's nearly 22.....

My husband and I have spent many, many years getting him to where he is today.

He was first diagnosed at almost 10. We put all our energies into him, and have been to h**l and back with him.

He has a tendency to be violent, and we as a family have suffered at his hands, and so has my home.

But all our efforts have been worth it...... I would say he is now more like Aspergers (higher functioning autisic).

We taught him everything we could. How to cook, how to manage his money and we tried hard to improve his uncontrollable rages. And how to read, write and use money.

And most of all we had to try to sort out his social skills and improve them too. We spent many, many hrs explaining everything, probably to the detriment of his 2 siblings....unfortunately.

He, now has a fiance, and a young child. He copes financially. And they all live together in their house. They have their problems like any young couple. More so when he finds life too complicated and doesn't understand people, life and the ways of the world. But he is much, much clamer and seems to be able to control those rages better. With age comes better wisdom, and after all it's his home/things he now has to replace!! Lol!!

Our most proudest moment was last week when he passed his driving test. He found the theory difficult to pass, but persevered, and finally passed it. Then he made his dream of driving a car come true.

So to all you parents out there in despair with a child like mine that are worried what the future may bring, may I bring a bit of light relief, and say walk on with hope in your heart, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, because we have done it. We have been there, with little or no outside help from the social services, we taught our son how to live in the big outside world. He has independence from us!! this has to be good for all of us.

You can do it...we did!!