Do you know what autism is

[workin'mumof2]

this is a serious question..

the reason i ask is this

i will be honest and say this

I had absolutly no idea what it was all i thought it was that people who had autism was the full scale autism.. i never knew there was 5types of autism.

here is a link to explain them all that i found helpful anyway

http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/diagnosis/

ive added a poll too.

and may i add either there are alot of rude people out there or they just dont know but i got so many rude looks today when seth was crying while walking basicly chucking a tantrum.

all i could do was laugh because if i didnt laugh i swear i would have burst into tears from the rude looks i got.

:(

sorry if that sounds bad but i really dont like being stared at and im sure my son doesnt either..

thank you for reading

[Just Add Water]

There will always be people who give you rude looks when your child is throwing a tantrum - autism or not... that is not because of anything to do with your son so don't take it to heart :) I do know a bit about autism but will still read your information as I like to learn things...

Just remember... a lot of people simply stare because they don't have the courage to speak, this is where adults could learn a lot from children. The children would just ask "What's up with him, not having a good day?".

[3blue&1pink]

Yes I do know what it is :yes:

[Sunnygal]

No I don't really know much about autism, thanks for posting the link! Im going to read up on it :yes:

[Milliner]

Yes, my BIL is autistic.

[JorBai]

Nope I had no idea there were 5 types of Autism and like you just assumed all Autistic people suffered the same type illness (hope that makes sense).

Im off to read your link, thank you.

[MimiGrace]

I know what it is, and my heart goes out to you!

Do you know if your son has autism, or is he more on the asperger spectrum? i love lots of someones with aspergers:flowerz: they're beautiful people, just different

Don't take the peoples looks to heart. They would happen whether your child had autism or not, purely for having a tantrum...:hugs:but I'm sorry it makes you feel uncomfortable!

[raisingthree]

I had absolutely no idea until about 6 months ago when my b/f's son was diagnosed.

I still need to be educated to completely understand but I am learning.

[neostudded]

:yes::yes:I have Aspergers.

[missie_mack]

Yes I knew. My nephew is currently being assessed for autism. I was talking with MIL about it the other day and she was carrying on that it couldn't be possible as he doesn't have 'funny eyes' (ie downs syndrome) :rolleyes: We spoke to her at great length and how common mild forms can be like aspergers and how they are able to go to standard schools and not 'special schools' Don't think she really absorbed all of it but she softened a little and I heard her repeat some of it to someone else (thankfully she repeated it correctly too)...

I guess the hard thing with others and autism is that they would have no idea your child is autistic and this is associated with the tantrum he was experiencing. The important thing is you know and not to let their judgement effect you and your son. Sometimes (while it is hard) we have to be above peoples judgements whether it be autism or anything really :hugs: (which I know is difficult in theory but something to aspire to)

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Can't really say yes or no, because the answer is neither.

I know a little, not enough to recognise it or understand it properly but I know some basics.

[studyingECS]

Yes, my cousin is autistic and I have also babysat for autistic children before.

[teenie]

Yes, I know all about it. This is mostly because I am a teacher. I have taught a couple of autistic kids.

[Deserama]

Nobody knows what it is. Meaning it cannot be defined to a 'set' criteria...the spectrum is just sooooooo wide...even the experts have trouble defining it. I should know...my brother apparantly has traits of aspergers...but yet has never been properly diagnosed because they don't really know.

[pinkandblue]

I voted no. I didnt know there were different types of autism. I thought it was just like the kid in The Sixth Sense.

I have been told by the paediatrician that DS has autistic traits but they are not going to diagnose him until he is a little older so am just learning about it now.

[SweetSerenity]

My son's being assessed for aspergers on tuesday :(. I'm trying to learn more about it.

[Jamaica]

I read a great book writen by Jenny McCarthy (i think thats her name- Jim Carreys wife) anyways its about her son and his journey with autism. I picked it up randomly and think my life and wisdom were all the better for reading it. I cant remember the name as I passed it on and told the friend I gave it to the only condition was that once she read it she too had to pass it on.

I think sadly its human nature to stare when someone does somthing loud or socially 'abnormal' but I think like anything else education is the key.

As I kid whenever we saw a disabled person we were told 'dont stare' but no one ever explained anything to us and I found I grew up a little scared of disabled people because I just didnt understand and the way in which we were ordered 'not to stare' made me wonder - why? what will happen. So I make an effort to try to explain to DD that these people are a little different and special and that we shouldnt stare because they will feel uncomfortable.

[benji's_mum]

My son has suspected autism. As sad as it is, we were crossing our fingers and praying that it was a milder form like aspergers. He is 27.5mths old and probably wont get a diagnosis for a few months/years yet.

Its great that everyone posting on this thread is trying to educate themselves about variations on the ASD. I'm more than comfortable telling strangers if they are giving me "the look" while we are out in public. Most people find my honesty just as confronting as I find their dirty looks.

[Nowhere]

Yes sure do

I think that autism and the rest of the Autistic spectrum disorder are starting to become beter diagnosed and more people are becoming aware of them KWIM which I think is a good thing many years ago when ASD wasnt as highly dignosed the people wth ASD was classed as odd or weird or what is so discusting they was classed as MR or brain damaged which as KNOW is not the case but many years ago there was no understanding of the disorders

People are not aware that alot of the times with the right therapy children that are afected with an ASD are abdle to grow up and lead a great life style

At the moment autism is one of the main focuss of early intervention and there is alot of government funding going into these therapies (as ABA therapy is not covered YET) I think this is a great thing as I have seen my self the great things ABA has done with my nephew and its sad to see that ABA was only available to those with money to pay for it, With the grant that is out now for autistic children they can at least use the grant towards ABA therapy, I know it has cost my SIL upwards of ten thousand dollars already this year, but to them its been well worth the money as the change in him has been ten fold, worth millions to his parents

[guerin]

I voted no as my answer, not because I have no idea but because I do not have a clear enough understanding to vote yes.

As you pointed out there are multiple levels of autism which is why I think it is so hard for people to pin point what causes it, if it is anyone things.


I just have a question; is there any concrete, no anecdotal, evidence of a child being fully functional and then after an event, showing signs of autism?

[3blue&1pink]

I read a great book writen by Jenny McCarthy (i think thats her name- Jim Carreys wife) anyways its about her son and his journey with autism. I picked it up randomly and think my life and wisdom were all the better for reading it. I cant remember the name as I passed it on and told the friend I gave it to the only condition was that once she read it she too had to pass it on.

I have been searching for that book! I seen her on TV and it looked like a good book.

[benji's_mum]

They have the book Louder than Words by Jenny McCarthy at Borders Bookstores. I was going to buy it but was shocked by the price - it was so expensive. I have heard good things and bad things about the book. Some believe that its basically propaganda and other found it helpful and gave them hope.