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BS: National Autism Awareness Month
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BS: National Autism Awareness Month |
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Subject: BS: National Autism Month (Sorry folks) From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Apr 03 - 12:04 AM Yeah, I know, it's always some damn month or another and I'm sure you're sick of them, but I thought about not posting this and then decided it was one of those things I owe my son Tristan. Below you can read a bit about what autism is and isn't and also link to the Autism Society website where I got the information. I urge you to go there and read more. For many of us, the closest we have come to an autistic person is through Dustin Hoffman's excellent portrayal in "Rain Man." As you will read, autism involves a large group of symptons and as each person is an individual, the symptons kind of mix and match so not everyone will have them all but they may have many within the autistic spectrum. Karen and I are blessed to be the parents of a wonderful 11 year old autistic boy named Tristan Alan Patterson. He is the light of our lives as he is also the biggest frustration. His brother Michael would agree with the frustrating part! Looking at the list below, Tris shows almost all of them except for his ability to connect with love and a smile! He has always been one of the happiest kids in the world and other people have always found him a delight to be around. He is very delayed in learning, but is high functioning and doing well with special ed classes. His motor skills are improving and his writing is unbelievably better. He's even reading some now which we figured was probably going to be beyond him. He surprises us every day. He and Karen go to my sister Connie's signing class now and Tris has really learned sign very quickly which helps to eliminate the frustration he has with his inability to speak distinctly. Those of you who remember the bicycle training wheels episode and Gervase's help, will be happy to know he LOVES his bike and rides exceptionally well....and he just got a new Schwinn no less for Christmas!! On the other side of the fence, it can be interesting to say the least.......Well really, more like hair pulling. One of Tris' worst traits is the repetition thing. Remember Tom Cruise going berserk when Dustin Hoffman just keeps repeating the address of the K-Mart in Cincy where he gets his underwear? Never a more accurate scene has ever been portrayed!!! "Daddy, my bus come soon?" "Yeah Tris, it'll be here." "Bus come soon?" "Yeah Tris, real soon now." Daddy? Daddy? Daddy?" "What Tris?" "My bus come?" "Yeah it'll be here." Daddy?" "Yeah?" "Daddy, bus come soon?" "Yes Tristan, the bus will be here soon!" "Bus here now?" "No but it will be here soon!! LOOK AT ME...It will be here soon, we'll watch for it when it's time but it isn't time yet. Your bus will be here soon....understand? Your bus is coming, it will be here soon!!!" Now with a big smile he tells me happily, "Daddy, my bus will be here soon," and wanders off. Meanwhile, Daddy is madly looking for Valium...... I also need to say a word here about my son Michael who deals with the same things we do and at age 10 does it quite well. Oh yeah, he whacks Tris occasionally and let's it get the better of him, but he does a great job in handling it. And he knows, even at his early age, that Mom and Dad won't be around forever and Tris will be his responsibility......and the little guy accepts that. Make me want to cry every time I think about it. That's a lot of responsibility to understand when you're 10. Karen and I are very proud of him too! So read on if you like and I thank you and also thank whatever powers that be that brought these two fine young men into our lives. Autism Society Website Every person with autism is an individual, and like all individuals, has a unique personality and combination of characteristics. Some individuals mildly affected may exhibit only slight delays in language and greater challenges with social interactions. The person may have difficulty initiating and/or maintaining a conversation. Communication is often described as talking at others (for example, monologue on a favorite subject that continues despite attempts by others to interject comments). People with autism process and respond to information in unique ways. In some cases, aggressive and/or self-injurious behavior may be present. Persons with autism may also exhibit some of the following traits. Insistence on sameness; resistance to change Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead of words Repeating words or phrases in place of normal, responsive language Laughing, crying, showing distress for reasons not apparent to others Prefers to be alone; aloof manner Tantrums Difficulty in mixing with others May not want to cuddle or be cuddled Little or no eye contact Unresponsive to normal teaching methods Sustained odd play Spins objects Inappropriate attachments to objects Apparent over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to pain No real fears of danger Noticeable physical over-activity or extreme under-activity Uneven gross/fine motor skills Not responsive to verbal cues; acts as if deaf although hearing tests in normal range. For most of us, the integration of our senses helps us to understand what we are experiencing. For example, our senses of touch, smell and taste work together in the experience of eating a ripe peach: the feel of the peach fuzz as we pick it up, its sweet smell as we bring it to our mouth, and the juices running down our face as we take a bite. For children with autism, sensory integration problems are common. Their senses may be over-or under-active. The fuzz on the peach may actually be experienced as painful; the smell may make the child gag. Some children with autism are particularly sensitive to sound, finding even the most ordinary daily noises painful. Many professionals feel that some of the typical autism behaviors are actually a result of sensory integration difficulties. There are many myths and misconceptions about autism. Contrary to popular belief, many autistic children do make eye contact; it just may be less or different from a non-autistic child. Many children with autism can develop good functional language and others can develop some type of communication skills, such as sign language or use of pictures. Children do not "outgrow" autism but symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment. One of the most devastating myths about autistic children is that they cannot show affection. While sensory stimulation is processed differently in some children with autism, they can and do give affection. But it may require patience on a parent's part to accept and give love in the child's terms. |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: open mike Date: 05 Apr 03 - 03:51 AM I have worked with autistic kids and also have read Temple Grandin's book which name escapes me. She has incredible insight and she was one of the case studies featured in Oliver Sack's book An Anthropologist On Mars. I applaude your patience, and wish the best for you with your sons. I remember playing for some special kids once and was fascinated with the child who wanted to get inside my guitar to see where the sound came from! Sometimes a different point of view is like a second opinion...gives you a different angle to observe life from! The most amazing thing i remember Temple Grandin describing is the hugging machine she invented as a child to satisfy her need to feel secure, and held tight, but without the discomfort of being physically close to people, which ws actually replusove to her, as i recall. http://www.americanradioworks.org/features/mcdonalds/grandin1.html http://www.autism.org/contents.html http://www.autism.org/ http://www.opengroup.com/babooks/044/0446671827.shtml |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: open mike Date: 05 Apr 03 - 04:17 AM http://www.autism.org/interview/temp_int.html |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: katlaughing Date: 05 Apr 03 - 04:18 AM For those who may have not seen it, click here for a couple of pictures of Tris' great and joyous smile when he first started to ride his bike. What a happy looking kid!! Thanks for posting this, Spaw. It's good to hear how everyone is doing and the education and links are invaluable. luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: Banjer Date: 05 Apr 03 - 05:15 AM Thank you 'Spaw, for sharing one of the greatest joys in your and Karens lives with us. I recall very well the time of Gervase and the training wheels. I remember also the time you shared Christmas memories with us. It involved Michael, Tristan and Wyane's kids. Also the pictures of the Halloween costumes. All beautiful stories and memories...I am glad you DID decide to share this with us. I feel like I have known you and your fine family for much longer than the four or five years we've inhabited the 'Cat together. One of these days our paths will cross and we will all get to meet up close! Untill such time please continue to keep us up to date! Thanks again... |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: Morticia Date: 05 Apr 03 - 09:39 AM always good to get an update from the Patterson household....thanks and much love Terri xx |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Apr 03 - 05:51 PM Thanks friends......and Banj, the weather is getting warmer and the greens are starting to come back so I figure we'll wait til it's pretty and nice before I take the pictures. Thanks kat for the picture posting.....That's my boy! But Lord has ever gotten bigger! Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: Banjer Date: 05 Apr 03 - 09:16 PM No big rush, 'Spaw, he's been there ten years now and I don't expect he's going to leave anytime soon. How about some updated pictures of teh boys so we can keep up with their progress?? |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: Blackcatter Date: 05 Apr 03 - 09:19 PM Spaw, you conversation with your son reminds me of a friend of mine who had a similar conversation with his 9 year old son with Autism. My friend decided to give his son a watch to "solve" the questions. He son would be able to watch the time to see when the bus would come. His son did just that . . . and at intervals of 5 seconds he gave his dad a countdown to the arrival of the bus. We recently had a discussion at Mudcat about Asperger's Syndrome and musicians (I'm both). I'm glad to see the information about Autism and it's related disorder Asperger's getting talked about here. |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Month From: catspaw49 Date: 07 Apr 03 - 10:13 PM A thread here at Mudcat on autism and Special Needs kids would be incomplete without Barry Finn's song included. And again to all, thanks. YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT TO LOOK AT ME (Barry Finn) "You're not listening to me. Are you deaf in both ears? Don't you see what you've caused? Have you been blind all these years? Could you just give an answer, so I know you're not dumb? For Christ's sake, you bird brain, has a cat got your tongue?" Cho: I'm as cute as any other kid. I can run, jump and shout. You wouldn't know it to look at me. At times, I can't work things out. I'm not stupid. I'm not lazy. I try very hard. With a little compassion, I could go pretty far. Well, school is a torture. The teasing won't quit. My thoughts go off track and my aide has a fit. There are some things I excel in, so much that I'm bored. You wouldn't know it to look at me. It takes all that I'm worth. The kids scorn and laugh at me. I don't have a friend. You can feel my heart break. I wonder when this will end. The mistreatment and abuse I take, it's really a crime, But I'm told to ignore it, though it happens all of the time. I know it's hard on my family. I can't change a thing. The aunts and uncles blame it on my folks and say it's poor upbringing. The love and affection others get all the time, I only hear people yell at me, when I ask, "Where is mine?" I never feel comfort, no shoulder, no hug. A system to support me was pulled out like a rug. If you can't understand this, you may be worse off than me, But I won't hold it against you, 'cause you're deaf and can't see. I may be mildly autistic or just plain O. C. D. I may twitch with Tourette's, or have A. D. D. If you see me cross my eyes, instead of my T's, You wouldn't know it to look at me that I have special needs. Words, (c) Barry Finn, 1998. Tune, traditional Australian, "One Of The Has Beens." Spaw |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Awareness Month From: Melani Date: 07 Apr 03 - 10:54 PM Hey, Spaw, at our house it's always National Autism Month (and day..and minute). Daniel, who is almost 15, learned to ride a grown-up bike last year through a special group called something like Disabled Sports USA (my husband, not home at moment, has the info). They also taught him downhill skiing--we had been working on crosscountry for years. He didn't learn to pedal until he was about 12 or 13, so biking was hard. He is also now a protest march veteran--several anti-war marches (I keep meaning to post that picture), and today we just returned from Sacramento, where we went to tell our wonderful governor that we don't think it's a very good idea to cut most funding for disability programs, including the after-school program that enables me to hold a job. Daniel liked it much better than school. We originally considered taking the kids to the budget hearing, turning them loose, then locking the doors behind us and going out for coffee (NOW do you guys think these kids will fit into a regular YMCA program??!!), but settled for having parents testify instead. A good time was had by all, and we have fond hopes that the budget committee will figure out that daycare for the kids is gonna be cheaper than welfare for the single parents who could not work without it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Awareness Month From: GUEST, heric Date: 08 Apr 03 - 03:01 PM Yesterday I spoke with a psychologist, definitely not one prone to exaggeration, who claimed there is a current autism "epidemic" of one in 500 births. (He said worldwide; We didn't get to discuss regional issues.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Awareness Month From: GUEST, heric Date: 08 Apr 03 - 03:13 PM Hmmm. Worldwide, apparently, 1 case in every 2,500 births is accepted as the norm. In California, however, diagnosis rates have ballooned to 1 in 500, a fact widely known since 1998. Whatever on the statistics. Good luck with your one. http://www.prevention-news.com/disorders/autism-epidemic.htm |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Awareness Month From: Morticia Date: 08 Apr 03 - 06:59 PM interesting.......better at diagnosis,I'm thinking? |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Awareness Month From: GUEST,Melani Date: 08 Apr 03 - 08:52 PM No, not just better diagnosis. That implies that whatever symptoms the kid has could be mistaken for something else, but most of the cases I am familiar with are way more clear-cut than that. My kid is seriously weird; there is no question he needs to be in special ed. He has a very severe speech problem, among other things--syntax of a two-year-old, and difficulty understanding spoken language. I have heard that in some areas the incidence of autism is about 1 in 150. That argues for environmental factors, perhaps combinations that are different in different places. I mean, think about it--how many autistic kids did you know growing up in say, the fifties or sixties, and how many do you know now? The answer for me is "none," and "at least three that I met OUTSIDE Daniel's special programs." Counting the kids in his programs, "a whole lot." And by the way, autism has never run in our family. So something is up. |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Awareness Month From: Blackcatter Date: 08 Apr 03 - 09:27 PM There continues to be a dispute as to what bring Autism on - It appears to run in families, but that may be that they don't have an Autism gene - just have something that makes them more suceptible to become Autistic. On top of the increase of diagnosis, the parameters for what is Autistic has increased - that's even wher eAsperger's Syndrome came into play. For years I knew that I had aspects of Autism in my mind and body, but I clearly was not Autistic - Then a friend suggested the book Shadow Syndromes and I first learned that people can be "mildly" affected by different syndromes. |
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Subject: RE: BS: National Autism Awareness Month From: catspaw49 Date: 08 Apr 03 - 09:50 PM I think that perhaps BC's point is well taken here. It wasn't so many years ago that Tristan would not have been considered autistic as one of the chief criterion was the "disconnect." In the past 20 years we have learned far mor and only within the past 10 or so has the broad concept of the "Autistic Spectrum" come into play. Most have more than one of the symptoms but it is necesary to have only one to be considered autistic. That said though, the incidence of is increasing anyway. I'm 54 and I can think of several kids I grew up with who would certainly be considered autistic now although back then they weren't. Most who had only a mild few symptoms were just goofy, dumb, or spaz.....We were soooo nice back then! Spaw |