All About Autism

[belachanbabe]

Problem is: signs and symptoms of ASD can be so varied that we easily think that maybe they are just late bloomers and that they will eventually grow out of it. Best to get a professional diagnosis as early as possible if you have any doubts, so that early intervention can be administered.


Just to share: My DSs are also extremely hyper and we were worried that maybe they had ADHD on top of ASD. When we consulted with the psychologist if hyperactivity is possibly caused by ADHD separately, she said no- it is one of the signs of ASD.

One of the ways that we try to wear out their endless energy is to bring them to wide open places, i.e. Parks or playgrounds (not the indoor kind). They love animals so we try and take them to the zoo often. Give them room to jump/run/shriek as long as possible. A lot of parents hate to do this due to germs and heat and are scared that they will injure themselves. So start small, maybe station a few more adults around a set perimeter and ready plenty of wet wipes to clean them.

[ImMeeMee]

ruru cat:

Hi everyone,


I have finally finished reading all the 480 pages! Have jotted down the useful info for future reference. Thank you all for sharing.

Feeling very depressed and yo-yo-ing between denial/grief and acceptance. My mom who stays with me is not helping the situation as she feels it is perfectly fine for my son to play happily with his toys alone.

Now contempting to do a private assessment (so expensive!!!) but it seems to be the only way for the whole family to move on emotionally? It has been a week since the psychologist mentioned the word 'suspected autism' and I had not slept/eat well all these while. Sometimes when my 21mths old son comes and hug me (without prompting) or take turns playing peek-a-boo with the family, I felt he is ok but once he plays with his toys he seem to be in a world of his own. Haiz.....

Will be visiting a private child developmental specialist (not a pyschologist) to get a 2nd opinion as she was referred by my PD. I told my HB and mother that if she also thinks Ds has suspected autism then we all MUST accept the hard truth and move on with it.

ruru cat

When I was first grief-stricken upon hearing my doter's diagnosis, I chanced upon the Kubler's cycle of grief, which I found extremely helpful in understanding my own emotions. You can google it for the different stages of the cycle and what each stage entails.

Not that it reduced my grief, but I found that when I could understand my emotions better it helped me take better control of myself and it helped me cope better. It also allowed me to be honest with my own feelings and emotions, and not deny them because of fear or guilt.

And when I don't deny my emotions, this gave me strength and the energy to push forward and do things to help my doter.

This was what helped me and I hope it could be of help to you.

[ImMeeMee]

Perhaps another way of looking at things other than the official diagnosis or ‘label’ is to deal with the issue that the child has - where the child has speech delay, go for speech intervention; where the child has sensory issues, go for occupational therapy or other appropriate intervention.


I find that this may be a helpful way since nowadays there seem to be a lot of ‘borderline’ cases, and the diagnostic criteria seem to be changing too now with the new edition of DSM.

JMHO

[Maple leaf]

ImMeeMee:

Perhaps another way of looking at things other than the official diagnosis or 'label' is to deal with the issue that the child has - where the child has speech delay, go for speech intervention; where the child has sensory issues, go for occupational therapy or other appropriate intervention.


I find that this may be a helpful way since nowadays there seem to be a lot of 'borderline' cases, and the diagnostic criteria seem to be changing too now with the new edition of DSM.

JMHO

:goodpost: I totally agree. I do not know my kid is borderline case or not. I think what he need is to go through speech therapy since he excels in non verbal tasks I did not send him to the therapist. Moreover, he is often uncooperative; we find it stressful to even try it.

Now that he did badly for all his orals. speech therapy is essential after all.

[Summer tan]

Nebbermind:

Summer tan:

Thank you so much. Do u mind share the contact with me? My child not diagnosed for adhd ( i mean he is asd but we didnt send him for adhd) but he's always full of energy. Endless I would say. Thanks ya.

I found this info

[quote]My son sees Dr Loo at 1 Coleman, #B1-25 The Adelphi, Singapore 179803. Tel 63367110

After 3 sessions, he has improved eye contact and been talking more.

She works on Mon, Wed and Fri only

http://singaporemotherhood.com/forumboard/messages/5/2458801.html[/quote]
Thank u for the help. :))
May I know if u give any special diet to
Ur kid? I switched from cow's milk to soy milk but not significant difference.

[Nebbermind]

I remember adding lecithin in the food and probably to avoid soy product.

Sugar and chocolate are energy booster so try to control if kid is fond of them.

Also, plenty of fish oil…efalac.

[Summer tan]

Thanks Nebermind for the contact. One of the parents gave me this too but my hb is hesitant. Thought they said soy milk better than cows milk for active kids? My boy is taking nordic natural fish oil but I don’t see much changes leh…


Btw we happened to meet this retired doc and what he said really strikes us. That is, active kids will eventually grow out of it n settle down if not now then later. Hmm food for thoughts.

[Double E]

Mummies

Just sharing this for your consideration. Not sure if you all remembered if I also send my son for weekly neuro-feedback. I have to say that it has helped my son to stay more focus and absorb better.

I concluded this because during the two weeks which he missed his neurofeedback sessions, he was less focused and daydreaming more when he had his sessions. At first, we couldn’t conclude why the behaviour change. But then, when he resumed his neuro sessions, his ability to focus came back. So we thought it must be the neurofeedback sessions.

If you have concerns about your kids not focusing, you may want to give neurofeedback a try. Once a week, per session is abt 40mins for $60.

[Nebbermind]

Summer tan:

Thanks Nebermind for the contact. One of the parents gave me this too but my hb is hesitant. Thought they said soy milk better than cows milk for active kids? My boy is taking nordic natural fish oil but I don't see much changes leh..


Btw we happened to meet this retired doc and what he said really strikes us. That is, active kids will eventually grow out of it n settle down if not now then later. Hmm food for thoughts.

I've no doubt about them growing out of it...just that the odd behaviour would be detrimental to their learning and association with peers and may end up being ostracise by teachers and schoolmates, which may lead to other behavioural issues. therefore intervention is needed so that he will not be a liability to the society.

[Double E]

Agree, and sometimes the energy is due to them not knowing where to channel it. That’s when intervention will come into place and we can learn from the experts how to manage their energy.


One way I learn is, before he is asked to do a task, his OT will get him to work out such as jumping, climbing etc to let him channel out his energy before getting him to sit at the table to complete a task.