Posted by Barbara J. on February 23, 2001 at 12:51:25:
In Reply to: Re: Reality check with autism posted by desiree on January 29, 2001 at 17:27:38:
HELLO OUT THERE! I HAPPENED UPON THIS SITE BY MISTAKE. I WAS LOOKING FOR A PUNCH BOWL CAKE RECEIPE WHEN I CAME UPON THIS BOARD.
I NEED HELP. MY SON IS 9 YEARS OLD. I HAVE NOTICED THAT HE IS NOT LIKE OTHER CHILDREN. HE DOES NOT LIKE TO PLAY WITH OTHER CHILDREN BUT WANTS TO HAVE FRIENDS. HIS SOCIAL SKILLS ARE VERY POOR. HE IS MOST COMFORTABLE WITH ADULTS AND HIS SIBLINGS, ALL OF WHOM ARE OLDER.
WE THOUGHT HE WAS A SHY BOY BUT NOW I THINK HIS INABILITY TO MAKE EYE CONTACT AND HIS GENERAL SHYNESS MIGHT BE SOMETHING ELSE. HE HAS FINE MOTOR SKILL DELAYS AND STILL CANNOT DO CURSIVE WRITING. HIS STUDY HABITS ARE TERRIBLE AND HE IS FAILING 4TH GRADE.
HIS BEDROOM IS A PERPETUAL MESS AND HE HAS IMPULSIVE/COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS. HE PICKS HOLES IN HIS MATTRESSES UNTIL THEY ARE RUINED AND HE ALSO DIGS HOLES IN THE PLASTERBOARD OF HIS WALLS. I AM BEGINNING TO WORRY THAT HE MIGHT HAVE PDD.
HE ALSO LIKES TO PLAY WITH THE COMPUTER OR HIS ELECTRONIC GAMES BUT NOTHING MUCH OF ANYTHING ELSE. GETTING HIM TO GO OUTDOORS IS IMPOSSIBLE AS HE IS AFRAID OF BEES, BIRDS, SQUIRRLES, CATS, AND DOGS. CLOTHING TAGS ARE EXCRUTIATING TO HIM AND HE IS VERY SENSITIVE TO TOUCH, ALTHOUGH HE IS AFFECTIONATE AND LIKES TO GIVE HUGS.
HIS TEACHERS DO NOT AGREE WITH US ABOUT THE PDD, I'M AFRAID THEY'VE WRITTEN HIM OFF AS LEARNING DISABLED. WE KNOW THAT HE CAN DO WELL IF HE IS INTERESTED IN AN AREA. HE HAS A GREAT KNOWLEDGE OF DINOSAURS AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND LOVES GEOGRAPHY AND MUSIC. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE AT OUR WITS' END. SORRY I WAS SO LONG, BUT CAN SOMEONE HELP US?