All About Autism

[2ppaamm]

Last year, I shared about how DS2 was asked to go to Pathlight because the mainstream (GEP) school just could not help or teach him. Though he is gifted, he is unable to function in a school setting.


I visited Pathlight and I was impressed by their facilities and all. I was told that there are two categories that will do very well. Those who cannot function in mainstream schools do very well in special schools. Those who are just slightly off ‘normal’ and they function well in mainstream too. DS2 is somewhere in between, and these are the ones the most difficult to help.

Since he was diagnosed with ASD (Asperger), I did a lot of research on this and since he is also tested profoundly gifted, I started to do a lot of research on this as well. Then, as I wrote to more people and spoke to more twice exceptional parents all over the world, especially in the US, I realized DS2 could be misdiagnosed. Some KSP parents helped me a lot too.

I started to look for a cure for my son. I refused to believe that there is no cure for his lack of social abilities. We started a program with a German genius in Singapore. You know, having gone through as many therapists, OTs and psychologists as we have, you would be as cynical as I was. I did not believe anyone could tell me what is wrong with my son, or for that matter, help him.

This German scientist did some tests on my son. He believed he could help (I did not believe him but tried anyway, since I have no other options). He did not believe my son was autistic. It did not matter, he did not need confirmation on that. We started a program to help him on his body rhythm. Initially, to humor him, I attributed every change in my son to his program, since he had no other therapies during the holidays. I seriously believe my son improved because there was no school in November and December, and he is just ‘at peace’.

We finished 10 sessions. We were on holidays in Phuket. My son shocked me by his abilities to withstand outside his comfort zone and abilities to act appropriately in public. Again, this must be because he is just comfortable with us, and he is not ‘threatened’ like in a school environment.

Then, school started. We held our breath. To our amazement, he made a 180 degrees change. He could listen in class, behave appropriately, obey instructions, withstand discomfort, no more strange noises, sleeping, ignoring teachers and rocking in class! :!:

Maybe it is too early, it has only been 2 weeks but we cannot attribute this to anything else but the sound therapy that he went through. We signed up another 10 classes and he is only improving. Today, he even planned his own birthday party and arranged all ingredients that need to be bought. He also planned the games and the food menu.

I have no clue how this thing works, but it works. I have seen some low functioning kids lining for appointments as well. So if anyone wants to give it a shot, please let me know. PM me.

This scientist will not take your child if he does not think he can help your child.

This has been the greatest gift for my family last/this year. I am so thankful, thought I’d share.

[2ppaamm]

ImMeeMee:

There was an article in ST Forum this morning about insurance coverage for ASD kids.


Any views?

Paying for OTs, therapists, and behavioural, social classes are much more expensive compared to regular medical fees. Insurance helps a lot. Singapore is so slow to implement this.

[cnimed]

Hi 2ppaamm


wow, this is exciting! I’m glad for you and your son! Does this guy employ mainly sound therapy? Can you pm me the details please? Ds1 may be able to benefit from it. Thank you so much!

[2ppaamm]

deminc:

Hi 2ppaamm


wow, this is exciting! I'm glad for you and your son! Does this guy employ mainly sound therapy? Can you pm me the details please? Ds1 may be able to benefit from it. Thank you so much!

Hi Deminc,

Yes, he uses music for therapy. There was a test before he does start the therapy as he wanted to make sure there is benefit for the kid. I'll PM you the contact, but make sure you call and give details of the child first before you make an appointment. His services are not cheap, but his assistants on the phone can give you an idea whether your child can benefit and that advice is free.

All the best!

[pingsped]

2ppaamm:

This German scientist did some tests on my son. He believed he could help (I did not believe him but tried anyway, since I have no other options). He did not believe my son was autistic. It did not matter, he did not need confirmation on that. We started a program to help him on his body rhythm. Initially, to humor him, I attributed every change in my son to his program, since he had no other therapies during the holidays. I seriously believe my son improved because there was no school in November and December, and he is just 'at peace'.

We finished 10 sessions. We were on holidays in Phuket. My son shocked me by his abilities to withstand outside his comfort zone and abilities to act appropriately in public. Again, this must be because he is just comfortable with us, and he is not 'threatened' like in a school environment.

Then, school started. We held our breath. To our amazement, he made a 180 degrees change. He could listen in class, behave appropriately, obey instructions, withstand discomfort, no more strange noises, sleeping, ignoring teachers and rocking in class! :!:

I have no clue how this thing works, but it works. I have seen some low functioning kids lining for appointments as well. So if anyone wants to give it a shot, please let me know. PM me.

This scientist will not take your child if he does not think he can help your child.

Hi 2ppaamm

Thanks for sharing.

Can u PM the contact and any website? would like to pass that info to some parents. Some parents are not very discerning but they have not many options left, having tried just about everything.

Have u talked to your son abt his condition? What is his take on this latest therapy? How does it, in his view, help him?

I'm glad u found something that's working for your son :celebrate:

[schweppes]

2ppaamm:

I have no clue how this thing works, but it works. I have seen some low functioning kids lining for appointments as well. So if anyone wants to give it a shot, please let me know. PM me.

This scientist will not take your child if he does not think he can help your child.

This has been the greatest gift for my family last/this year. I am so thankful, thought I'd share.

Well done, 2ppaamm. Glad that this is working out for your ds.

[2ppaamm]

pingsped:

Hi 2ppaamm


Thanks for sharing.

Can u PM the contact and any website? would like to pass that info to some parents. Some parents are not very discerning but they have not many options left, having tried just about everything.

Have u talked to your son abt his condition? What is his take on this latest therapy? How does it, in his view, help him?

I'm glad u found something that's working for your son :celebrate:

Hi Pingsped,

I will PM you his contact and his clinic details in Singapore.

I was recommended to see this scientist by my son's OT. The OT did some tests on my son and found that he does not have a ear dominance which is rare. His auditory senses also fatiques easily. So the OT suggested I go to this scientist.

At the lab with the scientist, my son did not seem to have problems with ear dominance, and he can also filter out noises. So all those talks about SID does not seem to show up upon further tests. He also went on to observe and test his vision versus auditory skills. While his auditory skills is about that of an average person, his visionary skills was three times faster. His aim was to match those. We came to about twice since the last check.

Since last year, I have started to speak to my son about his auditory condition, and he is now bigger and more aware, so he becomes more aware not everyone experiences things like he does. I told him it is a gift and not a deficiency. However, to handle this 'gift', he has to know how others view and experience differently and he therefore has to adjust and act socially responsibly to be acceptable. For example, it is not normal for others to hear a person whispering across a 50m pool. When he does, he has to explain to his coach how he knows someone is gossiping about.

He begins to see things from other people's perspective a bit more now. For example, when the rains was beating against the window, he asked me, \"Do you know that sounds like this? \" He clapped his hands loudly. So now, whenever his ears are hurting from noises too loud for him, he tells me nicely that his ears hurt instead of throwing a tantrum. He still goes into a room and hide and cried once when the car alarm went off, as the ringing in his ears continued for five days.

When I brought him to the German scientist, I didn't want him to feel that he has some kind of deficiency. I told him that the scientist is a genius (and he is) and the genius will bring out the genius in my son. I told DS2 that he will teach him how to bring out the best in himself, and make him function well in the classroom and get along socially. We went in with that aim.

I spoke to him just 3 days ago. DS2 loves to go to the lab as there are always fun games to do and he loves the challenges the scientist poses to him. I think this is the first time DS2 enjoys going for any kind of therapy.

I did not ever imagine sessions like these can ever make any change to anyone but I was proven wrong. This is still very early but in this very short time, it has worked miraculously for me. I am praying that this is a long term change.

Meanwhile, the scientist also asked me to do a lot of coaching on my own. For example, when we work on strategizing, I will make him plan and organize during the week. Getting him to think ahead, plan in advance, think about plan B's and contingencies. These are skills he never had before. He is now quite strategic and able to see a few moves ahead (and many times better than me).

The scientist told me that his program works best with younger kids (my son is already 11) and the more ASD ones. But it worked for my son anyway.

My son just want to blend in the crowd and attend a normal school, and foster some great friendships. So far, he managed to do so with great success. He is a simple boy with a complicated problem. We'll peel the onion layer by layer and we are confident we will get there one day.

[2ppaamm]

schweppes:

Well done, 2ppaamm. Glad that this is working out for your ds.

Thanks schweppes for always encouraging to helping. I do appreciate that! I do hope he will start to move forward from here. I think DS2 is just more excited than anyone else with his new found confidence and now knowing how to use some of the resources within himself. :celebrate:

[pingsped]

2ppaamm:

Thanks schweppes for always encouraging to helping. I do appreciate that! I do hope he will start to move forward from here. I think DS2 is just more excited than anyone else with his new found confidence and now knowing how to use some of the resources within himself. :celebrate:

I'm very happy that it's working out for you. will check my PM inbox later

Do talk and listen to yr son as much as you can so that he can learn to frame problems and brainstorm possible solutions. I can't find some of my old resource books. There are some books written specifically for ADHD kids with social skills problems.

There may be a couple of meltdowns at times. Be sure to be supportive and encouraging so that he can learn from each experience by confiding in you.

Things will get better as he learns to read more complex social situations. It will probably take some time & hard knocks to master certain emotions when hormones kick in.

I believe every verbal child has the means to understand his condition and self-regulate/problem-solve. Often times, they just need someone to point out the way/method.

cheers :celebrate:

[2ppaamm]

pingsped:

2ppaamm:

Thanks schweppes for always encouraging to helping. I do appreciate that! I do hope he will start to move forward from here. I think DS2 is just more excited than anyone else with his new found confidence and now knowing how to use some of the resources within himself. :celebrate:

I'm very happy that it's working out for you. will check my PM inbox later

Do talk and listen to yr son as much as you can so that he can learn to frame problems and brainstorm possible solutions. I can't find some of my old resource books. There are some books written specifically for ADHD kids with social skills problems.

There may be a couple of meltdowns at times. Be sure to be supportive and encouraging so that he can learn from each experience by confiding in you.

Things will get better as he learns to read more complex social situations. It will probably take some time & hard knocks to master certain emotions when hormones kick in.

I believe every verbal child has the means to understand his condition and self-regulate/problem-solve. Often times, they just need someone to point out the way/method.

cheers :celebrate:

thank you for the tips. I think i'm learning a lot myself these few months.