I have 2 Awesome Grandsons with Autism! Brian, my 9 yr old that I am
raising,
has always been a little different. He is very intelligent but has problems
socializing with other people. He has always been ahead intellectually, of
his peers. Very interested in science and outer space! He is 2 - 3 grade levels
ahead of his class in reading and math. He wants to be an engineer or a scientist.
But he was considered a trouble maker or a child with uncontrollable
anger.
People would look at him funny or avoid him. He wouldn't have much to
do with other kids. The school even wanted me to send him to special classes
for 'bad kids' Then one day his Principal suggested I get him tested for Aspergers,
A mild high functioning form of autism. I took him in to be tested and was told
by the Dr. he wasn't going to even test him because EVERYONE thinks their kid
has Autism nowadays! I went online and started to learn about Aspergers.
This kid had almost ALL of the symptoms! It took almost a year but he was eventually
diagnosed. Now that more and more is being learned by the medical community,
Everyone can see the signs in Brian and there is no doubt in ANYONES mind!
He has various triggers that will make him angry or sad. He doesn't like
people he isn't very close to.. to be around him. He hides from people he knows
IF they are not in the 'right place' for example, if a teacher is somewhere other
than school, he will leave or hide behind me and not talk to them. He gets very
nervous when there are a lot of people around. He can get very angry and lash
out with words or even hit someone without realizing he is doing it until it's done.
Loud unexpected noises is another trigger. A balloon popping, a book falling,
loud music or someone yelling will make him cover his ears and cry.
One of the big things that upsets him is change in routine. If all of a
sudden
something changes without warning, he has a hard time adjusting and gets
very upset! He does much better now that we and the school tries to
'give him notice' of a change. He doesn't like surprises. They scare him. Even good ones!
Now that we know the triggers and ways of helping him.. he is learning to
cope and learning to control himself. He is a very loving child in most situations
with the people he cares about or someone he sees hurting, whether it's an person
or an animal.
*He has also been diagnosed with Anxiety/Depression disorder.
I am also raising a grandson with ADHD and other developmental problems.
Now they say that ADHD is part of the AUTISM Spectrum.
I also have a 3 1/2 yr old Grandson Zacky, who we know has Autism but
has not been
officially diagnosed. He is believed to be lower on the spectrum (worse) This child is
VERY smart!
He is in preschool and should probably be in 1st grade! he lives in California with my
daughter (his Mommy)
and his Dad. It took him a long time to get use to even me.. his Gramma who he only sees
now and then.
The last couple times tho he came to me for play or hugs and very recently he
said I love you on the phone to me!!!
Zacky is a little harder to deal with.. he is just now starting to talk
though if you
don't know him well you won't understand him much. We call it 'Zacky talk' lol.
He is happy playing by himself though is learning to join in with certain things
in school now. He doesn't play with toys like other kids his age. He STUDIES
them.. what makes them work? How many can he hold? They are nicer in patterns
He can take things apart or put them together.. even stuff his own teacher had
no clue about!
He gets very angry if things don't go his way or his wants are
not understood. People look at him and act like he's just a spoiled brat when
one of his triggers sets him off in public. They don't understand that it's NOT
lack of discipline.. it's AUTISM! But, with more and more people learning
about Autism, they will understand.
Zacky is an amazing child to watch. He is so handsome and has a
beautiful smile!
A person can learn a lot just by watching him play!
I miss him very much and go see them
as much as I can. My daughter also has an 8 month old son. Thankfully, it doesn't
look like he is on the Autism Spectrum! It's very hard on her as a stay at home Mom to
raise
one child with Autism and a young baby. She's exhausted ALL the time and rarely
gets a minute to herself taking care of Zackys needs and a very young baby
who is breast feeding. She can't leave the kids with a sitter because Zacky
is so hard to handle. The only break she really gets is when I go to visit...
I'll try to help in any way I can.. Like babysitting so mom and Dad can have a couple
hours to themselves. Most people avoid a child with Autism.
She now has a section on my site where she makes pages for
scrapbooking..
to help raise money for her sons medical care. Please check it out,,,
Elizabeths
Scrapbooking
I never heard of Autism on the day that it begun
The day I found my Grandchild is different from everyone
At first it all seemed hopeless, I didn't have a clue
What is it God has sent my way? Whatever did I do?
Now I have a second Grandson who has Aspergers too
He's also an extraordinary little boy who just learned to say "I love you!"
How do you help a child with things even YOU can't bear?
You help by learning about him and making others aware
Medline Plus - What IS autism?
