My son, Tucker, is 5 years old, when he was 3 he was diagnosed with a speech delay which then in turn he was diagnosed at 5 with Autism on the mild to moderate level.  He went to a more at 4 class last year and did really well however, when kindergarten came up, his teacher felt that he would do better in a transistion class for kindergarten.  SO here we are, the first day of school, and Im a mess, when I took him into his classroom, I found out it was a blended class of students from kindergarten up to 3rd grade all with developmental delays, some much more severe than others, and I felt like Tucker was getting cheated.  I dont know if Im just being sensitive or im in some type of denial, I dont know what to do, my gut tells me I should take him out and home school him for the year and put him in kindergarten next year, even though I know that wouldnt be good for him, Help, really needing some input-

Many days and years have passed on her journey.  There is a need for transition and entering the adult community after this year. A correct fit need to be accomplished.  How she can live in a Messie World that always does not understand her autism.  She would like to live with her Grandma forever, she has much to offer and wants to work with children in daycare.  Which state would offer programs that would help with that entry.  (Grandma is already blogging and writing about our journey together at www.rewiredat75,com)  I really need some help in finding the right fit for life.  I have been in the RDI program and am learning much about "getting it" with friends and family.  I am sometimes confused about this growing up stuff.

Has anyone heard of the Clay Bath?

I've heard that between the Clay Bath and the Chelation, the best have been the Clay Bath. It has shown fast results. I've also heard that the Calcium Bentonite Clay is one of the best one.

I have a 6 1/2 yrs old son. He's autistic and is developmental delay. He's presently on meds and is taking Intuniv 1 mg, 2x's a day. I would like to know if anyone has experiences these bath or the Chelation while the child is on meds. Are there any side effect?

My son is a very hyper kid, one of the reason why he's on Intuniv is because of his hyperness. I'm just afraid if I give him these Clay Bath would it get him very hyper afterwards?

 Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

My daughter is 4 years old. She has not been diagnosed with Autism, but her testing is next week. We have taken her to 3 specialists now to rule out any chromosone abnormalities, etc. One of these doctors prescribed Risperdal. First off I am a mental health nurse. Second, I am devastated and not even sure why. Anyone else have a child on medications and feel as helpless as I do?

My 5 year old son Connor was recently diagnosed with aspergers, im feeling overwhelmed. I want to to the best mom I can be, and give him every opportunity to grow and learn to function in the world. im looking for friends and suggestions, resources anything you have to offer.

thanks 

Does anyone have software that they love?  I'd like something that could actually interest my son.  He is 19 and nonverbal.  Doesn't write much independently.  But he's smart, and reads children's books when no one is looking.

I wish I could be more specific about what I want to achieve with the software.  Mostly communication...

Anyone have something you love?  

Teresa 

I am divorced and my ex lives in Florida. My son visits his dad for 3 weeks every August. For the past 3 years, he has always stayed at his fraternal grandmother's house while he spent time with his dad. My ex bought a a crappy trailer in a nudist park in January and now wants my son to stay there with him for his visit. When we were married and our son was a toddler, we occasioned a nearby nudist camp in NJ. I was never 100% comfortable there. The people were nice, but I'm just not into the whole social naked thing. I was with my son every moment back then and he was really too young to understand it all.  Now my son is 9 and high functioning, and I have major issues with allowing him to stay at this Florida camp.  My son is over-friendly and has no problems speaking his mind. He has absolutely no sense of social propriety. I am afraid of a number of things... My biggest fear is child molesters. Now I know that these camps claim that they screen everyone, but I cannot be there to watch him and I don't trust my ex to do a decent job. My son is vulnerable. I am also afraid that he may unknowingly insult somebody verbally, who maya take it wrong, not understanding his disability. He also does not understand the concept on personal space and has no problem touching people. It's usually just their stomachs arms and legs, but God knows what he may do around nude people! I also fear that when he returns from his vacation and starts school in the fall that he may tell people that he saw naked people and such, then the authorities com a knockin' on my door! I don't even want to go there! My ex's mother says oh, he'll be fine, but she and her son don't know him well. I am very against him staying there. Any thoughts?

I am the sister and co conservator of an aggressive and self abusive 47 year old autistic woman living in California.  I am doing research and working with a lobbyist to try to educate California legislators who seem uninformed about the daily realities for families of severely disabled adults.   How are you coping with aggressive and/or self abusive behaviors for your disabled adult  living at home, in a group home or a developmental center.  What future do you see for these citizens as parents age?  Is the Regional center providing the services necessary to prevent injury to your loved one or to others?   In California group homes do not seem to be  equipped to protect self abusive and/or aggressive adults.  What is your experience.  Are you struggling to care for a aggressive teenager or adult in your home?  Have developmental center services been offered to you?  Have group homes services been offered to you?  What are the biggest challenges you face each day?  What help do you need?

How is it that a father and husband can say such hurtful words such as your son is not normal, or say "are you stupid" to their child when they know that his son has been determined to be Autistic?

How can I protect my son's ears, from hearing the tones and words that are so hurtful and may effect him now or later in life, from the people closes to him. They should be supporting him, finding ways to understand him, nurturing him and loving him. They are not suppose to be breaking down his self confidence or self esteem with hurtful words and actions?

Part of me understands but part of me doesn't. I am trying so hard to be understanding and patient with all that is in the home yet another part of me has little tolerance for the ignorance and lack of knowledge and I want to come out of the sidelines like a ragging lion to devour any person that would say such a thing.

I'm frustrated and tired. Frustrated with the feeling of no partnership on the issue of trying to find out or find help for what issues our son has so we can not only help him but help ourselves and find a way to improve the quality of family life. Frustrated on trying to figure out what changes or plans need to be made for J so that we can find a way to implement them in our home, our schedules, our lives, the lives of our family all alone.

I'm tired of the sleepless nights, overworked, often isolated and unsupported days trying to keep up with the house work, laundry and all the maintenance that seems to come with it all, only to be reminded of how the clothes or dishes have started to pile up rather clean or dirty. Tired when I ask for help on giving J a bath, brushing his teeth or reading a book to him so I may go to do something else, like take a shower or do those dishes I hear the exasperating breath that sounds like words of, "do I have to, or I have other more important things to do."  read more »

Hello,

I left Rhett's biological father in October 2008. Since then he has never given me so much as a penny for Rhett. He doesn't ask to see him or even call or message me online to find out how he is. My current boyfriend asked him how he felt about the fact that when Rhett says "dada" he is refering to Chad, not his biological father. Sperm donors response was "Better you than me."

I tried to go after child support when I obtained full custody, but because he had literally ZERO income they wouldn't put an order in for me. We live in Ontario, which probably makes a difference. Anyway- Since then the sperm donor has worked at least two jobs that I know of. Fled the province, came back to this town, and moved to another city. He hasn't ever notified me that he was working, and our custody order says he has to notify me within 7 days. I suspect he is also supposed to notify me when he moves.

There are two support papers I can file. One for table amount. He is lazy, so that would bring in, probably $10 or $20 a month for the little amount he works. Orrr I can file a request for "Other" amount. Because he has special needs, and a little bit out of spite, I'd like to request more than the table amount. I don't want to bleed a stone, however. Does anyone know what factors should be considered, relevant to Rhett's special needs, when requesting an amount? Has anyone had to go through this? I'm about to go to the Family Responsibilities Office tomorrow, but this is a small town and I bet they've got very limited experience when determining support for an autistic child.

Any advice would be welcomed,

-Trish