i have 3 children with autism. I send them to speech, occupational and structured therapy. I do not give any of my children any type of medicines. Like Jake said…there are alot of side effects. If there are tantrums, then there is a reason for them. Frustration for some reason. Try to find out why the child is frustrated and deal with it calmly and patiently!
I found that when telling him what is going to happen before ,he does not get frustrated . It worked the story of going to school. last Tuesday we had a party and told him before to be good and stay good boy and he did well.This morning he had the concert at school.He was to be dressed christmas father. In the rehalses did not stay and torn his dress in pieses.I bought him another one and told him he is a good boy and stay near the kids while singing. To my astonishment I realy cryed when i saw him that he stayed.Last concert he entered from one door and exit from the other.
Jake - how exciting to hear that Jake did so well at the concert!
All kids are unpredictable, especially children with autism. Last year my son participated like the others, this year is didn’t even want to enter the gymnasium. He is very moody. On the otherhand, my daughter Hope participated very well and her twin sister Yvonne was ill and stayed home.
I have such wonderful news that i would like to share with my friends…My son is nonverbal but lately he is saying a three word sentence. “I want …juice”, etc… It may not be much for others but my son is seven and this means so much to me.
Grover - That is so exciting! 3 words sentances for a nonverbal child is amazing progress!
Thanks. This really helps me to keep moving forward and I really encourage parents who have children with special needs to do the same.
Hi,
It’s been a while since the last post in this topic. I only found out this link today.
I have a 9 yo son with physical and cognitive disability as well. He still doesn’t walk and has trouble learning. Glad to find LR, hopefully it will help.
I just discovered this thread and wanted to share with you a wonderful program that a friend of mine started a few years back after having an accident that broke his neck and changed his life.
The Rhythmic Arts Project integrates drums and percussion instruments as creative learning tools that address life skills and enhance the mind, body and spirit. It has changed the lives of people around the world with various physical and cognitive disabilities. I’ve seen it demonstrated - a joyful experience to be sure. The better bring some Kleenex kind.
Here’s a link that will explain things more fully and I have to tell you that Eddie is very accessible and I know he will be happy to answer questions by email or phone.
Lots of great videos are available on YouTube so you can see TRAP in action:
Tell him Laura sent you!
Hi I just came across these organization and their websites and thought some of you might be interested in it. I hadn’t heard of the neurodevelopmental approach before.
http://www.specialhelps.com/index.html
http://www.centerforneurodevelopment.com/
Specialhelps.com had some interesting articles. They had one on ADHD/ADD and one on Autism, too. One thing I found intersting was that Specialhelps.com sited Doman (and they sell the Doman books in their “store” section). It was intersting to me, as I had been reading Brain Gym and Seeing Is Achieving, and this Neurodevelopmental method seems to combine these with other things I’d read in Doman’s Physically Superb book. My children don’t have developmental issues, but I find the information helpful for them, too, and thought I’d pass along the info. 
I just read the book, Too Wise to be Mistaken, Too Good to Be Unkind by Cathy Steere. It is one mother’s account of having an autistic child. I had been reading on the neurodevelopmental approach and she describes what they did with her child. Very intersting. Just thought I’d pass the title along (it also has a resources section in the back that I thought might be helpful, too).
Thanks for sharing. I too believe in the benefit of neurodevelopmental approach. I read the book by Svea Gold (If Kids come with Instruction Sheet, also refer to her site www.fernridgepress.com) and she has become my personal mentor since then. (although her eyes are making her difficult to communicate with emails now…she’s a 83yo lady)
As down syndrome problem is the cause of the mental disorder. A mental disorder child is also not capable to communicate well so it is more difficult for him to survive in the talkative world. A speech therapist can help him by developing the communication ability in your child.
I hope the kids are at an early date, and other normal child.Play, school, and parents.
I don’t but I think my sister used to have this. I will catch you soon after discussing with her.
Hello everyone I am very happy to read your stories since we all something in common. My eldest had a down syndrome she’s 6 years old now and attends a regular school, the problem is that she is very uncooperative when it comes to writting activity. I need advice on this. Though she still attending occupational therapy during the weekend and a speech therapy once a month.