My little monkey and asd

[Babiecakes91]

Hi my little monkey was diagnosed on Thursday with asd.
He's 2 years 8 months it was a shock to be told our instincts were right so soon.
He currently goes to a pre 3 speech class and we are doing the hanen course and he's at a specail nursery 3 days aweek.
We have been told he is going to get an occupational theripist to help him with his behaviors, I was wondering how to explain autism to family members that seem to not understand that he is different, they assume he will start talking soon and not need help.
And if any one has any tips on helping my little monkey to be able to communicate or how to handle aggression that would be helpful.

[autumnsmum]

Hi babie91 welcome I have a son and a daughter with autism you've come to a great place . With families it can be hard mine are still being awkward at times ! Just explain your sons having lots of help and your helping him . The occupational therapist will help to see if he has any tantrums set off by things like loud noises or bright lights my son hated handryets in toilets take care

[Strikeuptheband]

It sounds like you are already well underway with helping your son. My DD was diagnosed at a similar age.
Things that have helped after diagnosis:

1. A visual timetable. If you don't use one at home already see if you can get help to set one up.
2. PECS helped my DD to learn to communicate her needs.
3. The Earlybird course. It helped give me time to meet other parents and think critically about how I handled

DD and how I could find solutions to problems myself. It wasn't perfect, but now as support is tailing off I am still left better equipped to manage and grateful for that.

[Babiecakes91]

Thankyou we have just been to a makaton class to see if it helps.
My son seems to be ok not being in a routine ATM so we are trying to keep him out of one.
His meltdowns are caused by closed doors, busy places and if he is made to walk outside that normally results in him being carried as he will lie down screaming and not moving so hoping the occupational theripist can help with thoses and also sleeping at night he won't sleep on a bed so wakes up scratching on the floor with his eczema x

[sammythemummy]

Hi

I would say forget family! Tell them what they need to do with him but don't worry about their comments, get non with helping your son and worry about him. Sometimes family will take longer to accept it.

Good luck with your little man

[Strikeuptheband]

Babiecakes,

My DD was not bothered about a routine, but that's not the same as a timetable. She has little pictures of all yhe sorts of things she does in a day. The hard spiky side of the velcro is stuck on a strip of strong material to make a timetable. The little pictures have a bit of velcro on the back. You can use it to explain what is happening which reduces anxiety. This has benefits over just telling the child as they can look back on it.
Apparently the reason why makaton isn't used as much as PECS etc with autistic children is that often they don't realise that the speech needs a recipient. Children were sometimes sitting in an empty room, signing for a drink. With PECS the child is taught very carefully how to give the card to a recipient.

[Strikeuptheband]

As far as being made to walk is concerned he a ounds a bit like DD. She has her pushchair for shops etc and we keep it y o a minimum.