my nephew is autistic

[FrenchTickla]

saw him decemeber and now in june he just looks different. mawga dung, not talking, not as vibrant. well mi mum had contacts and we got slipped in to see a specialist at UWI hospital. so we got the early diagnosis.

the boy is bright but has short attention span, speaks few words, loves to line up things and count stuff.

so further tests in septemeber but he will also be participating in a research program at the university hospital.

amazingly jamaica does have resources for autistic kids so i am hoping my sister takes advantage of it for his sake.

[Skelly]

Re: my nephew is autistic

early intervention is the key...as the parent of an autistic child myself I can relate. My child is on Birth to 3 and about to transition into the preschool this fall. I had to fight from the very beginning to now because the pediatrician to this day does not believe anything is wrong with her, and when she does evaluations they usually cannot detect that something is not quite right. But anyway, all I know is the child has come a long way and is sooooo bright which is why people keep assuming she is fine. Tell your sister to find out what programs are available, and assert herself to get the child whatever help is needed. She is his main advocate and needs to speak up on his behalf.

[SandiF]

Re: my nephew is autistic

I've heard same about early intervention...

My oldest niece son is autistic. She struggles and run out of patience with him which is not good. He does not speak...just "made up words" but if he is with a focused trainer who is consistent and effective, he will pick up. But with his mom, he lags behind. She struggles with him. I should give her a call now to see how both are doing...

[mountaingal]

Re: my nephew is autistic

FT, maybe your nephew will become the next Stephen Wiltshire (in his own field, maybe)

Stephen Wiltshire

Stephen Wiltshire MBE, (born 24 April 1974) is an architectural artist who has been diagnosed with autism.[1][2] Wiltshire was born in London, England, to West Indian parents.[1] He is known for his ability to draw a landscape after seeing it just once. He studied Fine Art at City & Guilds Art College. His work is popular all over the world, and is held in a number of important collections.

[FrenchTickla]

Re: my nephew is autistic

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MGee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FT, maybe your nephew will become the next Stephen Wiltshire (in his own field, maybe)

Stephen Wiltshire

Stephen Wiltshire MBE, (born 24 April 1974) is an architectural artist who has been diagnosed with autism.[1][2] Wiltshire was born in London, England, to West Indian parents.[1] He is known for his ability to draw a landscape after seeing it just once. He studied Fine Art at City &amp; Guilds Art College. His work is popular all over the world, and is held in a number of important collections. </div></div>

thanks for this reminder MGee. i saw a program on him. i will send this to my sister.

[FrenchTickla]

Re: my nephew is autistic

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SandiF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard same about early intervention...

My oldest niece son is autistic. She struggles and run out of patience with him which is not good. He does not speak...just &quot;made up words&quot; but if he is with a focused trainer who is consistent and effective, he will pick up. But with his mom, he lags behind. She struggles with him. I should give her a call now to see how both are doing... </div></div>

this is how i think my sister is. she will say he speaks more when i come home. that is because i am not screaming at him and restricting his every move and thinking he is a problem child! i get down to his level and speak to him and repeat stuff. yesterday alone he learned &quot;mine&quot; because mi juss keep saying it when him waan tek weh mi phone.

mi sister struggling to keep herself afloat but she need to put him first.

[FrenchTickla]

Re: my nephew is autistic

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skelly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">early intervention is the key...as the parent of an autistic child myself I can relate. My child is on Birth to 3 and about to transition into the preschool this fall. I had to fight from the very beginning to now because the pediatrician to this day does not believe anything is wrong with her, and when she does evaluations they usually cannot detect that something is not quite right. But anyway, all I know is the child has come a long way and is sooooo bright which is why people keep assuming she is fine. Tell your sister to find out what programs are available, and assert herself to get the child whatever help is needed. She is his main advocate and needs to speak up on his behalf. </div></div>

thanks skelly. i think my nephew is gifted too - especially with his need to count things i am hoping he'll be a mathematical genius

i will just have to stay on my sister about it.

by the way, he is 3. are there any off the shelf things that can be used to help him? i want to see how i can help from afar 'cause i cannot guarantee that my sis will do th right thing as she struggling as it is.

[f0rTyLeGz]

Re: my nephew is autistic

http://www.wrongplanet.net

This is a site for and about autistic people and autism. The discussion forum is very helpful... and interesting.

[FrenchTickla]

Re: my nephew is autistic

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: f0rTyLeGz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.wrongplanet.net

This is a site for and about autistic people and autism. The discussion forum is very helpful... and interesting. </div></div>

thanks forty

[Diplomat]

Re: my nephew is autistic

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skelly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">early intervention is the key...as the parent of an autistic child myself I can relate. My child is on Birth to 3 and about to transition into the preschool this fall. I had to fight from the very beginning to now because the pediatrician to this day does not believe anything is wrong with her, and when she does evaluations they usually cannot detect that something is not quite right. But anyway, all I know is the child has come a long way and is sooooo bright which is why people keep assuming she is fine. Tell your sister to find out what programs are available, and assert herself to get the child whatever help is needed. <span style="font-weight: bold">She is his main advocate and needs to speak up on his behalf. </span></div></div>
Re the bolded portion, you said it well. Caregivers have come a long way in understanding autism, though because the spectrum is so broad, diagnosis and treatment remains a bit of a challenge. Kudos to you for being such an active participant in the process involving your child and all the very best to you both in getting access to the treatment and educational opportunities not just for now but also as she gets older.