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Things to do at home.... Posted By: lnb8694
Posted On: 04/18/2008
Is there anything that I can do at home that might be beneficial to my son while we are waiting around for his treatments to begin?
He is 3 1/2 years old. I would like to be doing something with him to help him instead of just waiting.
Thank you in advance.
Laurie
Tags:  Therapies,  at home
       
Motherof4 wrote this reply on 04/18/2008
There are Montessori techniques that you can use. There should be books on Montessori at your local library. Depending on where on the autism spectrum your son is, you may have to break each task down into very small pieces. Try to respond to everything he says, even if it's just a grunt. Read to him, even if it seems like he's not paying attention, as long as he stays in the same room-- my son never looked like he was listening, but when he did talk, we found that he had a really huge vocabulary, because he was listening, really. Hang in there, and if you can't get him to pick up all his toys, (not likely at that age, anyway) get him to pick up one, guiding his hand all the way, if you have to.

seymoursheep wrote this reply on 04/18/2008
If you go to the Autism Speaks Website there is a 100 day kit you can download which has all sorts of ideas for things to do in the first 100 days following a diagnosis...that is one place to start. I have a direct link to the kit on my web page www.allkidshavespecialneeds.org/autism.htm you will have to scroll down a bit.The next thing I would do is meet other parents with children with autism...just like you are doing here...because every child is so different and autism is a spectrum disorder how it is treated is very individualized...but if you talk to others then you will probably find tricks that work for you and your son faster than the therapists do,at least that has been my experience.I would reccomend reading the book Autism for Dummies...although the title is degrading, I assure you the book is awesome, it is written by Stephen Shore,who is autistic/aspergers himself and it is phenominal. It provides an overview of the different styles of treatment as well as some suggestions as to what to do right from the beginning...right until adulthood. I own a lot of books,and it is my most lent out, (I am going to buy a 2nd copy)The first year after diagnosis is such a period of adjustment, there is so much to take in, and such a sense of urgency to get going. I am glad you dont want to wait. It is hard to be patient. My advice is to always meet your child where he is and try and get him to come to you. If you ever want to talk email me apencil@telus.netSarah

MyEverest wrote this reply on 04/18/2008
You have the right attitute to want to help you son. I would recommmend learning ABA yourself, if indeed, that is the treatment you are waiting for. I learned ABA from DVDs from www.bridgesabatapes.com. If you like reading you might want to get the following books: The Verbal Behavior Approach by Mary Lynch Barbera; Behavior Intervention for Young Children with Autism by Catherine Maurice, Gina Green

KevinLivsDad wrote this reply on 04/18/2008
You know I know your situation. I am in the same boat. You know I have really just been following Liv's lead. And, joining in. Then I try to develop it a little further. Kind of the floor time model. If she is running in circles I join her. Then I turn it into tag. That is just an example. I do a lot of following her lead... Even if it is non-sense talk I will try

shannonj wrote this reply on 04/19/2008
My son was 3 years old when he was diagnosed and I felt this incredible sense of urgency that I had to be making use of every single moment he was awake to educate him. I read every book on ABA, hired babysitters to watch my daughter while I drilled and quizzed and just simply buzzed around him non-stop all day. He didn't even get a break on weekends. I had read somewhere( I think it was Catherine Maurice's book Let Me Hear Your Voice) that the reason her children succeeded was because she was "relentless"....And that became my mantra. Ten years later, I have learned and lived so much. One thing I know for sure, now, is that these kids, more than anything else, need to feel loved and accepted. Whatever their behaviors are that seem so "interfering" at the time, are coping mechanisms for them. Instead of trying to "replace" those behaviors with more "socially appropriate" behaviors, spend your time getting to know your child better. Learn to listen, to "hear" what their symptoms are telling you. Is he in pain in any way? Many of these children have digestive discomfort, or headaches, or infections.....Are they overwhelmed by the noises, the schedules, the lights? What calms them? When are they happiest? What brings them joy? Keep a journal and make really good notes about all these things. In the meantime, keep loving your child and accept them for who they are right now, knowing that your love will help them be their best in the future....

vicki wrote this reply on 04/23/2008
hi there i am in the same boat they say once you get the diagnses things will be easier. Not for me now things are more frustrating because we know and we are waiting..What happend to the saying time counts with these children.

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