seeking advice

[tennesseeangel_2007]

my son was recently diagnosed with adhd and autism what is to be expected?

[mjthewriterdad]

What a loaded question?  Autism is a specturm disorder.  There are soo many levels of functionality from the low-functioning persons to the high functioning persons.  Low functioning autistics MAY be non-verbal and cannot speak, may have lotsa tantrums, need samenes and predictable scheduled life very sensitive to changes and environmental stimuli.  Typical things tha may generate outbursts and agitated behavor: burned out florescenmt lites that flicker, smoke alarms, any change in routine, any break a pattern (even floor tiles and walpaper  in some cases).

High functioning types maybe verbal but lack the social skill to make conversation or some conversation may be facsinating with vivid  detail on a single subject.  Persons on the high functioning autisic spectrum may  share some of the sensory sensitivities I just mentioned.  My daughter can't stand all the stimuli at wal-mart.  Persons with Asperger's syndrome tend to be a master or  the language and have very picturesque speech.  One person with AS spoke to me for about an hour on the Norman/Saxxon war.  There is a lack of social finesse.  We take for granted the non-verbal cues in social conversations.  We don't even think about things like winks and shoulder shrugs and those tiny facial expressions that express flirting, boredom or interest, or "I want to hear more of what you are saying, but I gotta go to the bathroom."

You may (or may not) see:

Impaired Social development
Autistic infants may not respond to social stimuli, like smiles or may not respond to calling their name.
limited eye contact
they may approach others spontaneously and interrupt a conversation
or have problems in taking turns in a game
echolalia (repeating words verbatim from others)
If you point at something, they may tend to look at your finger than the object
Some autistic children may not understand sacasm or humor or abstract concepts
you may see many forms of repetitive behavior such as hand flapping, or rocking.
Compulsive behavior  such as arranging objects in a certain way.
Sameness is resistance to change; for example, insisting that the furniture not be moved or refusing to be interrupted or wanting to do things the same way each time.
SiB or self injurous behaior like biting himself or hair - pulling or head banging.
splinter skills example: Dustin hoffman's character in "Rainman" counted toothpicks as soon as they fell on the ground (he based his role on an actual autistic individual he observed)  or sometimes knowing the weather at any date in 50 yeart history.
Sleep problems
maybe other I forgot to mention.  you may or may not see all these traits.

You can watch "Rainman"  (Dustin Hoffman) or "PS I Love You" with Harry Connick jr for what to expect with high functioning forms of autism/Asperger syndrome.  Other movies:  "The Boy Who Could Fly" (non-verbal child)  or "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (Leonardo DiCaprio). I remember an episode in "Touched by an Angel"

[MJIthewriter]

How old is your son?  You can try clicking on my profile to read my journals. I recommend you read both my journals to get an isnite what it is like to live as an autistic person and read my dad's journals to know what to fight for in the school system.