Waiting on Those Three Little Words From an Autistic Child
69Autism with Mutism, What a Combination
Approximately 50% of Autistic children have no speech.
They may scream or make some kinds of gutteral noises but speech is not present.
If you thought communication with an Autistic child was difficult, you should try it with one that does not speak. It leads to an awful lot of frustration both on the Autistic child's and the caregivers part.
It also makes it incredibly tough when the child with Autism cries, as most of the time, you have no idea whether they are hurting, frustrated or just feeling sad. This can have serious implications especially for illnesses such as appendicitis, they can't tell you and you can't guess that one.
To have a child who has Autism with Mutism, requires a lot of patience. They don't always point to what they want and if it looks like they are asking for something and you offer the wrong thing, your offer is a lot of times rejected with screams. Oh to be a mind reader at these times.
Autism with Mutism but there is still Hope
Methods of Communication
There are different methods of communication available.
A lot of success has been obtained using the PECS system which is basically a picture exchange, the child with Autism gives you the picture of an item that they want, and you reward them with the item or service.
This can be extended to encompass a number of things or people. Start off with a couple of the ones that are used frequently such as food and beverage items and then just keeping adding one until your child and you are able to actually fairly effectively communicate non-verbally.
What a relief that can be.
Another Method of Communication
This one I know can be taught to a limited degree, but I personally have not had any success with it.
It is sign language.
There are many difficulties associated with trying to teach an Autistic child sign language. First you have to get and keep their attention.
Then the sign has to be distinguished from a mannerism or your child could end up receiving all kinds of things that they didn't ask for.
I am sure that there are parents out there who this has worked well for as each Autistic child is different.
Finally, Those Three Little Words
I have had a fair amount of success with my own two children who were diagnosed with Autism with Mutism.
Nathan is 8 and he speaks sporadically, with the different treatments that we are trying now, his speech has gained greater clarity.
Kathleen hugged me last week and said, "I ove you" and if that was not enough, she squeezed my neck harder and said louder this time, "I ove you" again.
It was a real emotional moment for me.
I had been waiting 5 yrs to hear that from her and I was shook to the core.
For more info on the treatments that we are currently using and those that we have tried in the past, I invite you to visit us at http://www.autisticadventures.blogspot.com
|
Child Autism Awareness T-Shirts *Autistic Groove NEW!!
Current Bid: $6.99
|
|
CURE AUTISM AUTISTIC CHILD AID SUBLIMINAL HYPNOSIS CD
Current Bid: $4.95
|
|
Car Magnet - Proud Parent Of An Autistic Child
Current Bid: $5.00
|
|
Bumper Sticker - Proud Parent Of Autistic Children
Current Bid: $2.00
|
|
Car Magnet - Proud Parent Of Autistic Children
Current Bid: $5.00
|
|
NEW Treatment of Autistic Children - Michael Rutter|...
Current Bid: $189.99
|
|
The Parents Guide to Speech and Language Problems
Price: $10.07
List Price: $18.95 |
|
Baby Babble - Speech-Enhancing DVD for Babies and Toddlers
Price: $14.87
List Price: $19.99 |
|
Super Star Speech: Speech Therapy Made Simple
Price: $18.95
List Price: $18.95 |
|
Educational Insights LipSync
Price: $40.55
List Price: $49.99 |
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Thank you so much for your support monitor, I appreciate it.
Donna
When I read the blog on your www.autisticadventures.blogspot.com
blog,I cried. I know how important it was for you to hear those words and how important was the need for Kathleen to say it to you. She is a special little angel and shines more and more when I see her. The time,the caring and love you have put into raising your family are reflected in the milestones that they are achieving.
You made me cry. It is nice to know that I have such a strong supporter.
Donna
Wow....i have a couple of friends iwth autistic children, one child, is 11, and over the past year has developed 'speech' and her mom is gushing.....the other, her son is mainstreamed now in highschool, an d his 'stim thing' is video games, so he fits in quite nicely with the rest of the gang. My other friend, her son is just 8, and he must have what you describe as autism with mutism....he loves the water at the beach, but he has no verbal skills as yet, though he is in a daily program where he has tutors come to the home for eight hours a day.
I have the six kids, 3 with asthma and food allergies. Not only must there be a genetic link with auto-immune disorders like my children';s and your children's, but I also blame the childhood immunizations...i think that they are a pandora's box. Also, I just wish that there had been the opportunity to save the stem cell's from the cord, when mine were born, but with my youngest being 9, there wasn't such a discovery as of yet. Your photos of your children are beautiful and they look young...how old are they? Did you have a chance to save stem cells? I recently saw on the news how a mom of a boy with MS was flooded with his stem cells, and from not being capable of speech , or movement without a walker (at 3 years of age), he is now 'normal' in development, both physical and speech.
I wonder if stem cell research may be your pandora's box, in a huge blessed way? I am hopeful for you, and for your children, and for my friends children that stem cells may unlock and restore children with autism.
You are inspirational and I am filled reading your article....i am so happy for you that you got to hear those precious words, I Love You!
Blessings
Patty5
Hi Patty, The children that have Autism are 8,7 and 5. I did not save the cord blood and I spoke to a guy at the cord bank and he said that it was still experimental. My 5 yr old daughter was never vacinated.
I am currently doing NAET on the eldest and I have seen a great change in his speech. Perhaps your friend would consider trying it on her child the one with mutism.
I am pleased that you stopped by and thank you for your kind words.
As an aside, I wrote a hub on Nathan's NAET treatments if you would like to read it. It may help with your children's allergies too.
Donna
Hi, I will def. share your info wity my friend, and also look at nathan's hub re; allergies!
Thank you
Patty
It's amazing how those little things can mean everything, especially from a child to a mother. Thank you for sharing this Hub and your struggles for the support of others :)
monitor says:
2 years ago
"I ove you" This is not just an emotional moment for you DonnaleeMason, This is an emotional moment for every decent person who reads your hub. Especially the parents. Those three little words are so precious. You must be so happy and proud. Thank you for trying so hard.
I am your fan and will be reading your articles. More power to you and those close to you.
Mon.