Discussion
http://www.autism.org.uk/
is a great resource and could raise both questions and answers.
Autism has a spectrum so it really does depend on the individual and their needs. What is your location, how old is the child and what are the needs .
One question is easy to answer; no they never grow out of it it is a lifelong condition, however they and you can learn to deal with it. It is as easy or as hard as you want to make it.
Have a think and PM me if you want with more details, my wife is an Autistic specialist and head of a secondary centre for Autism, oh and she is herself Aspergic so it certainly does not hold one back.
Getting others to understand can be more of a challenge.
is a great resource and could raise both questions and answers.
Autism has a spectrum so it really does depend on the individual and their needs. What is your location, how old is the child and what are the needs .
One question is easy to answer; no they never grow out of it it is a lifelong condition, however they and you can learn to deal with it. It is as easy or as hard as you want to make it.
Have a think and PM me if you want with more details, my wife is an Autistic specialist and head of a secondary centre for Autism, oh and she is herself Aspergic so it certainly does not hold one back.
Getting others to understand can be more of a challenge.
mad4amanda said:
http://www.autism.org.uk/
is a great resource and could raise both questions and answers.
Autism has a spectrum so it really does depend on the individual and their needs. What is your location, how old is the child and what are the needs .
One question is easy to answer; no they never grow out of it it is a lifelong condition, however they and you can learn to deal with it. It is as easy or as hard as you want to make it.
Have a think and PM me if you want with more details, my wife is an Autisic specialist and head of a secondary centre for Autism, oh and she is herself Aspergic so it certainly does not hold one back.
Getting others to understand can be more of a challenge.
I see mine (although admittedly, I'm hardly a bad case) as a part of who I am, not an 'illness'.is a great resource and could raise both questions and answers.
Autism has a spectrum so it really does depend on the individual and their needs. What is your location, how old is the child and what are the needs .
One question is easy to answer; no they never grow out of it it is a lifelong condition, however they and you can learn to deal with it. It is as easy or as hard as you want to make it.
Have a think and PM me if you want with more details, my wife is an Autisic specialist and head of a secondary centre for Autism, oh and she is herself Aspergic so it certainly does not hold one back.
Getting others to understand can be more of a challenge.
There are some great reads out there to help with the understanding of this. Tony Attwood is a particular specialist, particularly with AS. In terms of how "hard" it is, it really depends on the level of executive function that the individual possesses (hard to judge in a 3yo, I know).
Lots of high-functioning folks out and about in society, many of them possibly undiagnosed. Probably a good thing to have a youngster diagnosed early, will help muchly in the long run.
Lots of high-functioning folks out and about in society, many of them possibly undiagnosed. Probably a good thing to have a youngster diagnosed early, will help muchly in the long run.
We built and managed www.talkaboutautism.org.uk - definitely worth signing up, lots of really friendly people over there. Also worth look at NAS - http://community.autism.org.uk/
Depends on diagnosis - at the very extreme end of autism it is FULL ON - very difficult I can tell you - no hope of respite - we've 20 yr old who will need care 24 hrs for rest of life. No hope of independent living.... very different to high functioning or, dare I say / use phrase, common asperger sufferers.
Do seek support from all sources - cannot be handled alone or in family.... see the tragic cases in last couple of years of poor mothers' who've take both their and childs life - heart-rending.
Do seek support from all sources - cannot be handled alone or in family.... see the tragic cases in last couple of years of poor mothers' who've take both their and childs life - heart-rending.
No, its far from the be all and end all.
Have met many pupils with learning "disorders", be them social, aspergic, autistic, dispraxic... The number of labels is myriad, muddy and deliberately confusing.
It may be they are a little particular. It may be they just did not want to play ball during the test.
My advice is that senco's, and all "attached" to the specific educational needs industry need to be approached with caution and taken with a large pinch of salt.
The more they "diagnose" (ahem, label) the better they are, more needed they are and more important they are.
Kids is kids and will sort themselves out in 90% of cases. The other 10% will take some help and then amaze you with what they can achieve.
A bit like St Johns. Actually bloody useful if you have several broken ribs, a compound leg fracture, arterial bleeding and have stopped breathing - but they will bandage you up that way even if you only stopped to ask for directions and a headache tablet.....
Have met many pupils with learning "disorders", be them social, aspergic, autistic, dispraxic... The number of labels is myriad, muddy and deliberately confusing.
It may be they are a little particular. It may be they just did not want to play ball during the test.
My advice is that senco's, and all "attached" to the specific educational needs industry need to be approached with caution and taken with a large pinch of salt.
The more they "diagnose" (ahem, label) the better they are, more needed they are and more important they are.
Kids is kids and will sort themselves out in 90% of cases. The other 10% will take some help and then amaze you with what they can achieve.
A bit like St Johns. Actually bloody useful if you have several broken ribs, a compound leg fracture, arterial bleeding and have stopped breathing - but they will bandage you up that way even if you only stopped to ask for directions and a headache tablet.....
KardioKate said:
mad4amanda said:
http://www.autism.org.uk/
is a great resource and could raise both questions and answers.
Autism has a spectrum so it really does depend on the individual and their needs. What is your location, how old is the child and what are the needs .
One question is easy to answer; no they never grow out of it it is a lifelong condition, however they and you can learn to deal with it. It is as easy or as hard as you want to make it.
Have a think and PM me if you want with more details, my wife is an Autisic specialist and head of a secondary centre for Autism, oh and she is herself Aspergic so it certainly does not hold one back.
Getting others to understand can be more of a challenge.
I see mine (although admittedly, I'm hardly a bad case) as a part of who I am, not an 'illness'.is a great resource and could raise both questions and answers.
Autism has a spectrum so it really does depend on the individual and their needs. What is your location, how old is the child and what are the needs .
One question is easy to answer; no they never grow out of it it is a lifelong condition, however they and you can learn to deal with it. It is as easy or as hard as you want to make it.
Have a think and PM me if you want with more details, my wife is an Autisic specialist and head of a secondary centre for Autism, oh and she is herself Aspergic so it certainly does not hold one back.
Getting others to understand can be more of a challenge.
An autistic child will grow up to be an autistic adult - no exceptions other than if it's actually a mistaken diagnosis and there's some other issue. At risk of telling you something you already knew (sorry if so!), everybody with - and indeed without - autism is different so try to avoid projecting what you know of anyone else with autism onto your friend's little'un.
That doesn't predict what the person will be like though or what potential they have for leading a good life - some children who appear very severely autistic as youngsters will calm down and learn to communicate much more effectively as they grow up, and likewise some autistic kids who seem relatively mildly impaired when young can develop more major problems around puberty, for example. Some aspects of parenting a disabled child are obviously different and potentially more challenging than bringing up a non-disabled child but it's SO individual, depends on loads and loads of variables around the child's needs, the parents resources (especially emotional resources), outside support available and so on. My partner had 3 foster sons, brothers from the same family - one with very very severe autism, one with quite mild autism/asperger's, one non-autistic. She says in many ways the one with very severe autism was by far the easiest to bring up!
All kids, autistic and not, will still grow up and develop with time, and all have the potential to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
See this post for some discussion of Asperger's Syndrome, which is the term for one part of the higher-functioning (less severely impaired) side of the spectrum of autistic spectrum conditions.
That doesn't predict what the person will be like though or what potential they have for leading a good life - some children who appear very severely autistic as youngsters will calm down and learn to communicate much more effectively as they grow up, and likewise some autistic kids who seem relatively mildly impaired when young can develop more major problems around puberty, for example. Some aspects of parenting a disabled child are obviously different and potentially more challenging than bringing up a non-disabled child but it's SO individual, depends on loads and loads of variables around the child's needs, the parents resources (especially emotional resources), outside support available and so on. My partner had 3 foster sons, brothers from the same family - one with very very severe autism, one with quite mild autism/asperger's, one non-autistic. She says in many ways the one with very severe autism was by far the easiest to bring up!
All kids, autistic and not, will still grow up and develop with time, and all have the potential to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
See this post for some discussion of Asperger's Syndrome, which is the term for one part of the higher-functioning (less severely impaired) side of the spectrum of autistic spectrum conditions.
Marty Funkhouser said:
Once a child is officially diagnosed as 'Autistic' is that it - do any kids 'grow out of it'?
How hard is it raising an autistic child (all kids are hard to raise I understand, but how much harder does it make it?)
Sisters child (son) is slightly autistic and appears to be getting more able to control things as he gets older (may appear to some to be growing out of it) should be able to have a decent lifeHow hard is it raising an autistic child (all kids are hard to raise I understand, but how much harder does it make it?)
colleagues son at work is very autistic and has no chance of having a normal life and needs round the clock observation , most recently filled up the family car with a hose pipe , colleague has some amazing stories but must be under a tremendous amount of stress IMO
Our oldest - 15YO step-son - is diagnosed with ADHD & Aspergers and his behaviour is undermining family life so dramatically that I'm on the verge of insisting we find him somewhere else to live. My wife is a short distance behind me on this curve and is finding it monumentally stressful but can understand where I'm coming from.
He has been difficult from birth but is becoming bigger and stronger - coupled with the fact that there are 4 other children in the family who never have pocket money and have to request access to the kitchen even for a glass of water it's not a great situation.
We've started getting 1-2 nights respite each week over the last couple of months during which we get a glimpse of normal family life - kitchen left unlocked, pointless bickering subsides, food or money accidentally left unattended doesn't disappear without trace etc.
To answer the question, as I understand it children don't 'grow out of' autism, but many will learn how to respond appropriately rather than acting on impulse. Personally I'm beginning to wonder how far down the spectrum my own wife is...
He has been difficult from birth but is becoming bigger and stronger - coupled with the fact that there are 4 other children in the family who never have pocket money and have to request access to the kitchen even for a glass of water it's not a great situation.
We've started getting 1-2 nights respite each week over the last couple of months during which we get a glimpse of normal family life - kitchen left unlocked, pointless bickering subsides, food or money accidentally left unattended doesn't disappear without trace etc.
To answer the question, as I understand it children don't 'grow out of' autism, but many will learn how to respond appropriately rather than acting on impulse. Personally I'm beginning to wonder how far down the spectrum my own wife is...
Marty Funkhouser said:
I know, its a ridiculously generalised question.
A friend has just had their 3 year old diagnosed and I was just wondering if PH had any experiences that may enlighten me.
As a father of an autistic 14 year old boy I sympathise hugely with your friend. If you are still his/her friend in 10 years time and have the guts and resilience to get properly involved then you, sir, are one of a rare breed.A friend has just had their 3 year old diagnosed and I was just wondering if PH had any experiences that may enlighten me.
My life and that of my family has been systematically ripped apart by autism. It reached a stage about 3 years ago when Mrs H was on the brink of a mental collapse, my daughter was under a shrink and about to run away and, well I won`t say what I was contemplating.
Something had to give, so my son, my only son, the son that made my family complete for a brief time before autism stole him from me, now lives with a permanent foster family from whom we have regular visits.
OP, your friend is facing a situation I wouldn`t wish on my worst enemy.
Marty Funkhouser said:
I know, its a ridiculously generalised question.
A friend has just had their 3 year old diagnosed and I was just wondering if PH had any experiences that may enlighten me.
it's a complete broad range of things A friend has just had their 3 year old diagnosed and I was just wondering if PH had any experiences that may enlighten me.
certain jobs and past-times attract people with Aspie / Autistic traits but they have never been diagnosed as such - and perhaps wouldn't be even today unless someone really pushed for a diagnosis...
it's not called a spectrum for no reason and that spectrum runs from people who are considered a little 'odd' or 'eccentric' by neurotypical norms but manage to live perfectly normal lives with little or no support needs to people who are severely disabled by it and require heavy duty 24 hour care packages in specialised residential care via everything inbetween
Lemmonie said:
There is no medication at all for Austism.
And in answer to the OP's question people do not "grow out of it"
while there is no medication 'for autism' there are medications that could help symptom control especially with regard to anxiety , depression , OCD type behaviours ...And in answer to the OP's question people do not "grow out of it"
scdan4 said:
No, its far from the be all and end all.
Have met many pupils with learning "disorders", be them social, aspergic, autistic, dispraxic... The number of labels is myriad, muddy and deliberately confusing.
It may be they are a little particular. It may be they just did not want to play ball during the test.
My advice is that senco's, and all "attached" to the specific educational needs industry need to be approached with caution and taken with a large pinch of salt.
The more they "diagnose" (ahem, label) the better they are, more needed they are and more important they are.
Kids is kids and will sort themselves out in 90% of cases. The other 10% will take some help and then amaze you with what they can achieve.
A bit like St Johns. Actually bloody useful if you have several broken ribs, a compound leg fracture, arterial bleeding and have stopped breathing - but they will bandage you up that way even if you only stopped to ask for directions and a headache tablet.....
The reason that more children are being diagnosed, is that this subject is becoming more widely understood and dealt with, rather than historically, simplistic labels being attached by those that have no real knowledge. Children with autism do not "sort themselves out", it is a condition that will stay with them for life. They may learn to adapt and to adopt strategies to cope, and indeed be amazing in what they achieve, but this won't be on their own, and it won't be without be with a great deal of help. Have met many pupils with learning "disorders", be them social, aspergic, autistic, dispraxic... The number of labels is myriad, muddy and deliberately confusing.
It may be they are a little particular. It may be they just did not want to play ball during the test.
My advice is that senco's, and all "attached" to the specific educational needs industry need to be approached with caution and taken with a large pinch of salt.
The more they "diagnose" (ahem, label) the better they are, more needed they are and more important they are.
Kids is kids and will sort themselves out in 90% of cases. The other 10% will take some help and then amaze you with what they can achieve.
A bit like St Johns. Actually bloody useful if you have several broken ribs, a compound leg fracture, arterial bleeding and have stopped breathing - but they will bandage you up that way even if you only stopped to ask for directions and a headache tablet.....
Chris_ said:
The reason that more children are being diagnosed, is that this subject is becoming more widely understood and dealt with, rather than historically, simplistic labels being attached by those that have no real knowledge. Children with autism do not "sort themselves out", it is a condition that will stay with them for life. They may learn to adapt and to adopt strategies to cope, and indeed be amazing in what they achieve, but this won't be on their own, and it won't be without be with a great deal of help.
and the more you, and other important people whom you attach great importance to (with swishy offices, long words and often white coats) tell them that, the more it will become true.Different methods of coping i guess?
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