My son @ 4 years old has been diagnosed with Autism (ashbergers)with echolalic speech.?

Question

we have him in special preschool, speech therapy, and even babysitter is certified for specific condition. he has vocab of a two year old. and hard to communicate. we read, play, and learn with him every day at home as well. any parents with children with autism have any suggestions.

Answer 1

I've given this same response to a couple of other people and stand by this approach. I do not have a child with autism but I work with children with this condition everyday as an occupational therapist and I believe wholeheartedly in this approach, along with sensory integration treatment that is provided by an occupational therapist.

Look into the P.L.A.Y. Project designed by Richard Solomon and Stanley Greenspan. You can find some preliminary information on www.playproject.org about the program. There is some really exciting evidence that the PLAY Project is really effective in improving function in children with autism. I have seen children go from nonverbal and nonresponsive to very verbal and affectionate within 1-2 years time.

It stands for Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters and is just what it says. A PLAY consultant comes to the home once a month and teaches the parent/caregivers how to support the child at the level he/she is at through play and how to help the child move into the next level. You may or may not have PLAY consultants in your area. It is a very nonobtrusive treatment and it works for a lot of children. Not only would the PLAY consultant train you, but anyone else you want to play with your child (i.e. the babysitter).

Also check out www.floortime.org and www.stanleygreenspan.com

PLAY is based on Greenspan's DIR/Floortime model as developed with Serena Wieder.

Answer 2

aspergers (spelling will help you google) is usually not diagnosed so young, and usually is diagnosed as autism without the speech delay. If he's speech delayed, it's probably high-function autism rather than aspergers. I would find another doctor to do an evaluation. It sounds like quibbling, but the right diagnosis will help you design a more appropriate program and get better funding for home programs.

quote
What distinguishes Asperger's Disorder from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger's Disorder may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's Disorder may just seem different.
unquote from www.autismtoday.com

For speech, I would look into picture exchange communication and floor-time. Both were very helpful for my daughter with autism. Schools trained my husband and I both to use the cards, and helped to train my daughter.

I hope all goes well with you and your family. Autism is a gift, most people don't see it that way.

Answer 3

There's a lot of resources out there, and I'm sure you'll find them.

I'm reading this book right now, called "Animals in Translation" by Temple Grandin, and although it's not going to give you hints about how to raise your child (since it's about using the mysteries of autism to decode animal behavior), it's incredibly interesting AND written by a woman with autism.

I know you didn't ask for pleasure reading loosely related to autism but I still wanted to reccomend it because although it is a book about animal behavior, the author's knowledge about and personal insight into autism is amazing. I'm certified as a behavioral specialist, and go into families homes to work with their autistic kids, and I've learned a lot more about autism from this book than in my state certified training.

Answer 4

It sounds like you are off to a good start! Speech therapy is often very helpful for kids with autism. I'm not sure what specific advice that I can give you, since I'm not familiar with your situation, but the following resources are great and very helpful. Best of luck to you and Happy Holidays!

"Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm - http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-autism,0,6196233.story

Website of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. - http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html

Positively Autism (free online magazine, includes free materials/activities) - http://www.positivelyautism.com

Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. - http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html

"The Discovery of "Aspie" Criteria" ~ What if Asperger’s Syndrome was defined by its strengths? - http://www.thegraycenter.org/sectionsdetails.cfm?id=38


Books:

"Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by Jerry Newport

"You're Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Students With Autism in the Inclusive Classroom" By Paula Kluth

"Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism" By Paul Collins

Any book by Temple Grandin

Answer 5

My six year old has Asperger's. Patience and persistence are the keys. You'll definitely see the most improvement over the next year or so. Three to four was by far the worst for us (he began to communicate better around the age of four). Good luck.

Answer 6

I suggest that you look for a support group in your area. These can be extremely helpful, you can talk to other parents going though the same things as you and how they deal with them.

Answer 7

Your son is special. He's the one in one hundred and sixty. It sounds like you're doing all you can. Just be patient.

Answer 8

Sounds like you are doing all you can do and you should be congratulated for your good parenting skills

Answer 9

(he is 1-166) you are doing good