[33-weeker]

PS.
My kids have all tested high for heavy metals - not because they have been exposed to more than the average kid - but because they have a genetic predisposition to being 'poor detoxifiers'. Their bodies can't get rid of the stuff as well.

We did some oral chelation for the two with PDD (mild autism) and saw improvement. With my son, we would see bursts of language after we did a round of treatment. My daughter, who had no FUNCTIONAL language (just words) at the age of 3, was mainstreamed by the start of kinder, and is now in 3rd grade doing on-level work with very little special ed support. If you met her on the street, you might not notice there was anything wrong.

My son should have been in kinder this year, but due to behavior issues, he is just now starting the mainstreaming process. He is very hyperactive, which is a difficult combo with autism. He is extremely bright, though. Probably the brightest of my three. He taught himself to read at 4 1/2 yrs. of age. He probably reads on about a first grade level now. Both of my kids with PDD are hyperlexic.

I'd also like to interject a comment here, if I may. There has been a lot said in the recent past about kids being over-medicated with drugs for ADHD, etc. I'm sure such misdiagnosis does occur. As a nurse, I realize there are fads, even within the medical community. But it really when people take it so far to assume that EVERY kid on medication has been misdiagnosed & doesn't need it.

My son with autism/ADHD and his fraternal twin, who we think has childhood onset bipolar disorder (that's a whole 'nother thread...) both NEED medication to function - even at home, let alone in school. They are not just active boys who need to run off some energy. They have REAL problems that NEED medicating.

When it comes to medicating kids, I'll be the first one to stand in support of not medicating the ones who DON'T need it, but I'll also be the first one to say, don't judge me on this unless you've lived with my kids and experienced their behavior firsthand. Every parent deserves the same respect.

[oldshoes]

Oh, look, Rush Limbaugh's doing the same thing:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15408508/

"Possibly worse than making fun of someone's disability is saying that it's imaginary. That is not to mock someone's body, but to challenge a person's guts, integrity, sanity.
To Rush Limbaugh on Monday, Michael J. Fox looked like a faker. The actor, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has done a series of political ads supporting candidates who favor stem cell research, including Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who is running against Republican Michael Steele for the Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes."

Okay, it's Parkinson's, not autism, but the attitude behind it is the same- complete ignorance, and a total lack of compassion.

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by oldshoes

Oh, look, Rush Limbaugh's doing the same thing:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15408508/

"Possibly worse than making fun of someone's disability is saying that it's imaginary. That is not to mock someone's body, but to challenge a person's guts, integrity, sanity.
To Rush Limbaugh on Monday, Michael J. Fox looked like a faker. The actor, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has done a series of political ads supporting candidates who favor stem cell research, including Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who is running against Republican Michael Steele for the Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes."

Okay, it's Parkinson's, not autism, but the attitude behind it is the same- complete ignorance, and a total lack of compassion.

You got that right. But we're supposed to overlook the aribag's abuse of prescription drugs because he ''has a problem''. Yeah, right! What a hypocrite.

[Deliasgone]

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a proud mother of a 4 yo boy with autism. I can totally relate to all the stares from the neighbors, fellow shoppers, even family. Fortunately, they have tried to learn more (some are more zealous than others) about the disorder.
In response to the first article, the neighbor was over the line with the sign but I do think that may have been some unaddressed issues with the mom concerning limit setting. I know that it is frustrating for the whole family but if your child needs constant supervision then your child needs constant supervision. Yes, it is sometimes inconvenient and yes, it takes away from normalcy but it is safer than your child running in front of cars, stranger danger, and complaints of innapropriate behaviors. I just hope that everything has worked out for the best for that family and that little boy.

[33-weeker]

Originally Posted by Deliasgone

I know that it is frustrating for the whole family but if your child needs constant supervision then your child needs constant supervision. Yes, it is sometimes inconvenient and yes, it takes away from normalcy but it is safer than your child running in front of cars, stranger danger, and complaints of innapropriate behaviors. I just hope that everything has worked out for the best for that family and that little boy.

Constant supervision 24/7 is not realistic if a parent wishes to stay sane and not keel over from exhaustion. I'm speaking from the perspective of being a working mom who is tired on her days off (no choice, I have to work $). I also have 2 other children with problems.

Also, in my son's case - this was new behavior. Before this, I knew when to watch him close and when he was entertained enough that I could turn my attention to something else for a few minutes to sometimes even a half hour. All of a sudden, the rules of the game changed.

What parents of these kids need is compassion... and help!

[nurs4kids]

Originally Posted by 33-weeker

Constant supervision 24/7 is not realistic if a parent wishes to stay sane and not keel over from exhaustion. I'm speaking from the perspective of being a working mom who is tired on her days off (no choice, I have to work $). I also have 2 other children with problems.

Also, in my son's case - this was new behavior. Before this, I knew when to watch him close and when he was entertained enough that I could turn my attention to something else for a few minutes to sometimes even a half hour. All of a sudden, the rules of the game changed.

What parents of these kids need is compassion... and help!

Mom of a awesome 6 yr old with autism here. I think the difference here is that when they are young like ours, it's easier to supervise 24/7. You child-autism-proof the house, you can take five or ten without much worry. You fence in a yard, you can let them play without having to constantly keep an eye on them. When they are older, they can unlock doors and windows, open gates, climb fences, etc. I imagine that is when it becomes very difficult. I know I am very concerned about the upcoming years.

I can't imagine three with autism, one is sometimes more than I feel I can handle..and he's mild. My heart goes out to you!

[nurs4kids]

As I said above, my angel is 6yrs old and autistic..probably PDD-NOS (I haven't sought a definitive form of autism since original dx at 3 yrs old). We've not had the problems from the neighbors, thank God. My son doesn't throw the tantrums. Our issue for the neighbors has been his affinity for jumping on the trampoline...nude. He'd be out there fully dressed one minute, next thing we'd know he's butt naked..in the dead of winter. He's also known to come out of the house, down the steps to the pool with his swim trunks in hand for me to put on...again, nude..oh, and to relieve his bladder in the yard. Only one neighbor can see into our backyard, and they are a family full of teen boys, so maybe they are more tolerant because of this. He does not strip anywhere but at home, thank God. However, we also have to watch him inside. Sister is a year older and she will have company over and he'll walk out of the bathroom in the buff. The kids and their parents have been great so far, but we're constantly working on the nudity issue. If my daughter was at someone's house and the brother was running around nude, I wouldn't like it..regardless of disability.

A couple of questions for the more experienced:
He has recently decided he likes to open the windows and throw things out, stick his arm out, etc. Once, he climbed out. He's removed (ruined) most of the screens. I thought I was going crazy last week. I left to take the kids to school and the cat was outside. I came home, opened the door and the cat was sitting on the sofa. I shook my head and went to bed. Today, it dawned on me that he had probably left a window open. Soooo, what are the options? We could screw the windows shut, but I really hate to do that to my nice windows. Any other suggestions? I'm terrified he is going to wander off while we're sleeping.

One of you mentioned teaching your child to avoid cars/traffic. How did you teach him? This is one of my greatest fears b/c I do not think he realizes the danger of cars. We've tried the "stay out of the road" thing, but then the next thing we do is go for a walk down the road. Sort of confusing for my son.

Lastly, we DO the 24/7/365 thing for the most part (except for five mins here and there) and have all his life (well, except for the 45 minutes he was lost at a 250 acre water theme park..lol). What do you guys recommend we do to prepare our children so they don't require constant supervision? I'd love to give him the freedom other children enjoy, but I'm terrified...mortified at the thought of letting go.

[mercyteapot]

nurs4kids, I don't think you have a choice but to put screws in your windows, at least temporarily. You can continue to work on teaching him about the danger, but until he learns that lesson, you can't take chances.

I don't have much in the way of suggestion for teaching your son to not need supervision. In my son's case, I also supervised him constantly until he was probably 8 or 9. He just became mature enough not to need my eyes on him every minute anymore. He still needs much more supervision and assistance than a typical 14 year old, and most likely always will.

[33-weeker]

There are latches that screw on the windows and can be taken off again. They leave no holes or anything. You can even adjust them to allow the window to be opened a couple of inches to let the breeze in, but not opened all the way. You can get them at places like Lowe's (hardware store). I have them. The kids have not bothered them so far.

[nurs4kids]

thanks! i'll head to lowes today!