Autism Awareness

[Joesocwork 4]

As realistic as the game has gotten, still imagine if one of The Sims came to life… as is.  The Sim would still speak Simlish, making communication very hard.  The Sim would appear to experience emotions, but being computer generated, the expressions seemed mechanical and it would be difficult to tell exactly what they were feeling.  The Sim would be mobile, but still have repetitive computer driven motions and fixate on certain objects or people... 

Now imagine that the Sim resembles you.  And before you believe that this post is in the wrong forum, imagine that the Sim, as is, actually is your brother or sister or son or daughter.

Then you would get a feeling for what it’s like to have an immediate family member with Autism.

I have a six-year-old son with the disorder.  Even though I have a lot of knowledge about mental health issues b/c of my career, autism, especially as it affects my son, is still very difficult for me to comprehend.  It is considered to be one of several types “Pervasive Developmental Disorder”’s.  That means problems in how a person grows up and understands things.  Autism is characterized by impairments in: 1) communication, 2) social interaction, and 3) stereotyped/ repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and/or activities.

My son does not have classic autistic stereotyped movements like arm flapping or finger twirling.  He very much experiences and communicates emotion.  He is very loving and affectionate and sometimes very self-centered like any other six year old.  He does, however, have his own form of Simlish and does not communicate very much at all.  He’ll fixate on certain toys and say and repeat certain lines from movies, cd, or the tv over and over again ad nauseum.  He often seems to be in his own world.

I don’t know if he is a “savant” with special gifts like in the movie Rain Man.  Even though people with autism focus very well, the “gifts” only affect about 10% of those with the disorder.  

Autism is reported (& I can’t get the link) in the New York Times to be the disorder of all that takes up the most of parents’ time and resources more than any other handicap or disability.  Treatment requires intense behavioral intervention by both parents and professional. 

There is a teaching style known as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that is reputed to be the most helpful way in educating children with Autism.  Integration with and modeling from non-autistic children help out.  I believe that my four year old daughter is one of my son’s best teachers.  But again as a parent of both children I also have to ensure that her needs as a four year old are met and she is not forced into something different. 

My wife and I continually seek resource to better our understanding, esp. for treatment.  We are currently looking at diet and certain chemical supplements under his pediatrician’s guidance.  <shrugs shoulders>  I don’t have the stat’s yet but there are adults who with the disability who are considered “high functioning” and live self-sufficient lives.  And my wife and I continue to have hope.

April is considered to be National Autism Awareness Month, which was started in 1972 by the Autism Society of America.  (April is also Child Abuse Prevention month too, among other things).  But as a Member I wanted to share this with the Community sooner or later anyway.  My son’s condition, for all of its seeming uniqueness, is a part of common humanity.  It affects my life much more than a computer game or a website.   But in this case a computer game seems the best way for me to get a better grasp on it and share with fellow members.


I also intend to create a post with links in the Community Related Forums.  Autism Awareness: Links

[masher 3]

Hey Joe!

I had a friend with this other thing..mosaicism syndrome..that is like the down syndrome, only that they are a lot more aware of everything and are more independent, but still have their phases when they are very unstable.

She was my neighbor for about 6 years before i moved from Costa Rica to El Salvador.. and her parents were close friends with mine and i was like her only friend because sometimes she would get really aggressive and stuff.

As for Autism...I have an Aunt who has it...she is like 32 and my Grandma takes care of her and everything but it's been kinda hard for her because...i dunno..and i think they both get desperate sometimes...I've learned a lot from that because let's say someday i have kids and one of them has something like these syndroms, i would have some experience and won't freak out or feel guilty or something like that.

 

[Meg 368]

Autism is a rough one, Joe.  They say it is increasing but they aren't sure why.

 

I have no first hand experience with it.  My closest experience is with a friend who has a daughter who has apraxia, which has some similarities but isn't the same thing.   I do know that there are different intensities or degrees (not sure of the right word) of autism.  It is one of the many things that show that we just don't know that much about how the human brain works.

My best wishes to you and your family.   Parenting is a difficult job under the best of circumstances.  

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

My brother is autistic. Only mildly, he is very interested in trains which they say is something that can happen. He talks a little strange to and makes up his own words. If you ask him something he doesn't want to tell you he says: I just don't want to know about it!

The other day we were in Manchester Piccadily Station and he was sitting on ground at the end of the bench because, juice had spilled on the other bench, there were cumbs on the seat next to me and he wouldn't sit next to someone who wasn't in our family.

 

He has these strange little things but we get used to it and now it's just normal. He recently started attending main stream school and seems to be doing well, but it's a small school. My worry as is elder brother is that when he gets to Grammar School and the schools in the region assimilate, he is going to meet some rougher characters who will pick on him for his condition.

 

[Joesocwork 4]

Date: 4/9/2005 4:12:43 AM Author: The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz

He has these strange little things but we get used to it and now it's just normal. He recently started attending main stream school and seems to be doing well, but it's a small school. My worry as is elder brother is that when he gets to Grammar School and the schools in the region assimilate, he is going to meet some rougher characters who will pick on him for his condition.

When it's done right, integration can be a good thing.  Sometimes when we go to the supermarket he'll encounter non-autistic classmates who'll call his name and say hi.  He'll say hi back in his own way.

My son also definitely has own version of Simlish.  He uses lots of nouns, very few verbs and Simlish sounding prepositions.  He also has a trait of using color adjectives in talking about people or things .  Grey circle high tower, white seat, orange Metro 

I do get amused that he calls himself Orange Elijah and I am sometimes called Purple Daddy   When I finally start my BAT project, I've been considering the enterprise Purple Daddy Productions with a logo of a suit coat a purple tie in his honor.  Of course my project still has to beat some of our members (Vidioman, DuskTrooper et al) in posting their pictures!

[villarule 2]

my best friends brother is autistic, and my next door neigbour is. Autistic kids can be really loving, they just have trouble learning.

keep up the good work Joe!

[fosterk 4]

My next-door neoighbour has it. He's ten years old, and has all the classic signs you stated. He's obsessed with snakes, reptiles, and sharks. We went on holiday with him and his mother last summer (his father passed away from cancer when he was really young), and he was extremely difficult to deal with, at times. For instance, we went to a karaeoke bar nearly every evening, and he would play pool, with himself, when we needed to go, he refused, and quickly turned violent. He clearly finds it difficult to read faces, and emotions.

The other day, he was in my family's care, when his Mother went out with her boyfriend. He was outside playing football, with himself, again, and when it went dark, it was near impossible to get him to come indoors again, after about 2 hours of football. Again, he went violent. When he had calmed down, and came in, well, it was rather funny, yet irritating.

I'm trying to BAT up here in my room, when I hear footsteps coming up the stairs, and he comes in, and starts patting my head, like a pet. I asked him to stop, and eventually he did. He came back five minutes later singing Kevin is a poopy head or something to that nature, over, and over and over..

So yeah, he seems to be in a world of his own, at times, and I bet it's tough for you Joe, having to deal with him full time.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Joe, I am sorry to hear about your son. ABA is financed by the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) here, but is cut off at age 6. There is currently an huge flap going on with parents of autistic children who are just about to or have fallen out of the program.

The government says it is too expensive, and requires a one on one specialist most of the time. They want to integrate these kids into the school system, but the teachers have no training whatever in handling autistic kids. When a teacher in Ontario meets an autistic kid, he immediately screams ADDH and wants the kid on supressive drugs. Not only is the wrong! wrong!! wrong!!!, it is dangerous to the kids and to society that will have to pick up the bill for whatever mess results later.

The rising curve of autism is a real mystery. As one of the victims, do you have any feel for the causes? There doesn't seem to be any proper study to define these.

You have my encouragement and sympathy with your son. I wish you the best with your efforts, but remember, your family has other things too.

[Joesocwork 4]

Date: 4/9/2005 4:46:08 PM Author: N_O_Body Joe, I am sorry to hear about your son.&nbsp; ABA is financed by the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) here, but is cut off at age 6.&nbsp; There is currently an huge flap going on with parents of autistic children who are just about to or have fallen out of the program. The government says it is too expensive, and requires a one on one specialist most of the time.&nbsp; They want to integrate these kids into the school system, but the teachers have no training whatever in handling autistic kids.&nbsp; When a teacher in Ontario meets an autistic kid, he immediately screams ADDH and wants the kid on supressive drugs.&nbsp; Not only is the wrong! wrong!! wrong!!!, it is dangerous to the kids and to society that will have to pick up the bill for whatever mess results later. The rising curve of autism is a real mystery.&nbsp; As one of the victims, do you have any feel for the causes?&nbsp; There doesn't seem to be any proper study to define these. You have my encouragement and sympathy with your son.&nbsp; I wish you the best with your efforts, but remember, your family has other things too.

quote>

I have no problems with Ritalin or other stimulants per se.  But I get concerned when they are used as babysitters to supposedly control ADHD.  I believe in the diagnosis as a neurological condition, but it's not the worst condition in the world to have.  ADHD can be a useful condition to have as an adult on the go.   A little Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, where a person tunes into and controls their responses to their impulses, goes a long way.  Reasonable parenting and teaching does too.  ADHD med's help just a little.  And if stimulants are used for a wrong and or worse diagnosis, such as thought disorder, the medicines can exacerbate that problem. 


Other than it is also neurologically based, I'm still not sure about Autism.  The latest theories are a lack of stomach based chemicals, such as sucretin that affect the nervous system.  We've taken part in clinical studies that have seemed to help, but are otherwise limited.  Except for the studies as volunteers the medicine is expensive.  We are working in helping my son maintain a gluten (processed wheat) and casein (dairy products) free diet, which isn't easy. 

My guess is that the diagnosis curve is going up, like it often does on other conditions, because of parental and professional awareness and the lessening of the stigma of the diagnosis.  It's just a good thing for my son that he and sister are the apples of my wife and I 's eyes.(yes, like it should be anyway!)

[kefka 3]

Wow, I'm surprised on how common it is!  I saw on tv once how some people did a study to see what they watch when watching tv.  People ussualy look at faces, but autistic people look at light switches, and door knobs and stuff.

So what do the colors mean? 

[Superstar 69]

A friend of mines brother is also autistic, funny that his parent decided to send him to the same school I go to and I must say that was a pretty big mistake. Kids these days I guess take it for granted but I feel that there should be some line. Kids at school were and still are extreamly horrible to this kid, they mimic, copy and simply bother him, laughing at him in his face and so on, just terrible. After quite a while I think they understood that it isn't the place for him. They are gonna be sending him to another school real soon.

[frogface 352]

Date: 4/10/2005 1:52:00 PM
Author: superstar
A friend of mines brother is also autistic, funny that his parent decided to send him to the same school I go to and I must say that was a pretty big mistake. Kids these days I guess take it for granted but I feel that there should be some line. Kids at school were and still are extreamly horrible to this kid, they mimic, copy and simply bother him, laughing at him in his face and so on, just terrible. After quite a while I think they understood that it isn't the place for him. They are gonna be sending him to another school real soon.

quote>
i feel really sorry for him, kids can be right little !

[hello_SC4 1]

I don't know anyone that's autistic..

As for why the number of cases has skyrocketed.. well, one of the reasons is definitely that today, people are much more aware of the disorder than they were 20 years ago.

[vidioman 21]

There was a Catholic family that used to live behind us (years ago, in the mid 90s) and they had an autistic daughter. She'd run naked in the yard screaming gibberish all the time... It was kinda sad. She'd be about 12 now.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Date: 4/10/2005 1:52:00 PM Author: superstar A friend of mines brother is also autistic, funny that his parent decided to send him to the same school I go to and I must say that was a pretty big mistake. Kids these days I guess take it for granted but I feel that there should be some line. Kids at school were and still are extreamly horrible to this kid, they mimic, copy and simply bother him, laughing at him in his face and so on, just terrible. After quite a while I think they understood that it isn't the place for him. They are gonna be sending him to another school real soon.

quote>

That's the thing I'm worried about for my brother, as Frogface said, kids can be wicked sometimes without knowing it, thinking it's all right to poke fun at someone with a condition like this. But what makes it worse is that autistic kids can't understand that they are different and therefore don't know why they are laughing at them.

 

Luckily by the time my brother gets to my school I'll be 16 so if any little oik thinks they can pick on kids like that they'll have me to answer to. Not that I would then start to beat up these kids, but I could give em a detention at least!

[the_new_simman 5]

I do have a cousin that is autistic, one of the worst types. (don't know much about it though) He needs attention all the time, sometimes I see him crawling (yes crawling, he is 10 and is still crawling) and sneaking around. One time he got out of the house and crawled down the street. I really think that autistic children are smarter than normal people, they just can't show there intelligance.

Anyway, I see him about once a month. It is always fun to hang with him because you can kinda hold a conversation with him. I'm almost 15 and he's ten and it seems like he talks at a higher level. I find this very interesting...

 

Joe, I don't really know what it is like living with an autistic child but I do know what it is like to meet one and talk to one. I really wish you luck on your journey and hopefully someday..they may find a cure.

[cheese91 9]

I've never really understood autism before...I didn't know what happens to people who have it, or anything like that. This topic helped me better understand. I've learned a lot, and I've become more interested in autism.

 

[Duke87 1,070]

I have Asperger Syndrome, which is sort of like a mild form of autism....

Some weird things it can do. I really have trouble picturing how people might look from descriptions, i can't really read people's faces and gestures very well, and I can't understand other people's thinking and emotions on most things. I also can never really notice hidden meanings and implications in texts or things people say, and often say things I don't mean through unintended implications in what i actually say or how I gesture. But I'm extrememly good with navigating roads and tend to pick up things like math science, and italian a lot easier than most of my classmates. Heighten some areas of the brain, take away from others, what can I say?

 

Actually, the big reason for all the deficiencies is that normal people have a special part of their brain that they use for looking at people, especially their faces, for envisioning people, and whatnot. People with Asperger's, like me, don't. I interperet someone's face with the same part of my brain that I would use to interperet a chair, a door, a stack of papers, any ordinary object. So, naturally, that can cause issues.

 

Still, I find myself often able to compensate by simply using my intelligence to figure things out, and I can be social, and can talk to people with little issue. It's when I get angry or nervous that I start screwing up and communicating wrong.

 

Meh. there's a bit of me for ya....

[The_Dalai_Llama 15]

I have a cousin that may have a form of autism.  I know little about the subject and am only referencing Joe's links he posted in another thread.

He's always been hyperactive, been diagnosed with ADHD, but no treatments or drugs have worked.  He has an obsession with video games, sometimes playing for hours at a time, and he will ignore people around him while playing.  It's like he's in another world when he's in his PS2 world.

He seems to have many symptoms of autism, in particular he has trouble interacting with others.  He has difficulty learning in school and gets repetitive when he speaks.

We're not sure why he's been singled out.  He was born prematurely, but I don't know how that could be connected.

We also worry later in life he'll eventually turn to drugs or alcohol if nothing is done.  Since alcoholism does seem to run in our family, having another alcohol-related death isn't what we need in the future.

[Swamper77 90]

Date: 4/12/2005 5:59:08 PM Author: Duke87

I have Asperger Syndrome, which is sort of like a mild form of autism....

I have the same condition as you, Duke.

When I was younger, my parents had to fight the school system and the courts just to keep me in school. At the time they didn't have Special Education programs for students such as me. The teachers also didn't know how to handle my mental/learning disability either. I was frequently made fun to the point where I would just play by myself.

I also am not very social. I am still learning how to be a social person and interact with others. I graduated in June of 2003 with my class. For the seniors, we were given a unofficial award. Mine was Social Butterfly. I was also voted most likely to ask you how your weekend was. I made a turn around as I went through the school system. I also got involved in the school's Drama program, which was a big step for me. I even had a part on stage! Normally, I have stage fright when I'm in front of a crowd. The play, Our Town, had a part for a nervous professor, so my nervousness worked out for me. But as Duke, I have trouble recognizing emotions and body language. Sad to say, I have never had girlfriend. The closet I got to having one was taking a girl to several school dances and to Prom. To my parents, me even being interested in a girl was considered a big event....

Another part to me having Asperger Sydrome, is that I tend to be obsessive/complusive. I will literally concentrate on something and will ignore the world around me. If I try to describe something to someone, I will describe it down to the smallest details. I am slowly trying to break that habit. I also have some other oddities/quirks. For some reason, I cannot tell if I am too warm or too cold. Usually, my parents have to me if I am too warm/cold. I will also be so narrowly-minded that I will forget to eat or take care of myself. I also have a high metabolism, which is why I should eat every 3 hours or so. I don't take very good care of my appearance, and my parents are trying to get it across to me that people care how you look.

I'm trying to learn to be more attentive of my surroundings and myself. I'm also trying to learn to be a social person. In 2004, I discovered these forums. Now I'm becoming more use to the idea of posting information in public spaces, such as these. I also have gotten on the MSN Messenger bandwagon and able to hold a conversation without trying to take control of the conversation. I tend to want to be the center of attention. I'm 20 years old and still live with my parents, while I'm going to a college twice a week. I don't think I could survive on my own at all. My parents have had to put up with me for 20 years so far. It has been a real learning experience for both me and them.

Thanks for hearing me out....
-Swamper77

[dudyconstructor 43]

Autism is indeed a serious disability, i had a friend with autism, he used to make huge effords for every day activities.
Autism lessen the person communication with the world, but there is always a way to make this person feel better even if their problem cannot be solved.

[jeronij 13]

Hello everybody. First at all my support to all who are suffering those type of disorders, and its collateral damages. I feel really identificated with Joesocwork. My 4 y.o. kid has also some kind of disorder, some light grade of autism but no doctor can say my wife and me what is exactly happening.
He does not speak. He does not stop to talk but he only says some words, hello, goodbye, pipi, and some others, but only once in his live so far, he said two chained words. He loves to watch TV and play with cars and plastic figures and when he is playing with his toys, he looks like living in his own world, but I guess all the childs when are playing are in his own world, aren

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

I would reccomend the book, The curious incident of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon. It is about a boy with Asperger's Syndrome who decides to investigate the death of his neighbour's dog and he goes on an adventure that some of us would not dare to, but he doesn't understand the risks he is taking. It is very enjoyable and helpful to those who are affected by Asperger's or Autism. But even if you don't know anyone who has it, it's still a very enjoyable read. I don't know if it is avaliable outside of the UK, but you could get it off the internet.

[Duke87 1,070]

@swamper77: Hmm... well, I get Obsessive and Compulsive as well, but I've actually been Diagnosed with OCD (In the 3rd grade). The Asperger's Diagnosis didn't come until 6th Grade.

I can be excedingly weird at home. I quote things a lot. Webcomics, movies, TV shows, whatever. And I do it for no aparent reason. It's just fun, sort of. It really doesn't show much in public, though. I've managed to learn how to act normal in public, for the most part. Actually, I was still in a special ed out of district placement when I joined simtropolis. I went back to public mainstream high school in January of 2004. I hadn't been in normal school since 1999, and a lot of people involved weren't sure I was ready to go back. But I stuck with it, and everything's worked out great. It's also advantageous that all the people I talk to at school don't really know about my weird past. I've never tried to start a conversation and had someone unwilling to talk since then.

And, this fall, I'm going to college. That should be interesting. My last teacher from my out of district placement wrote a letter of reccomendation. I haven't read it, but I hear it was 'inspiring'.

 

I do have a tendency (at home) to just start talking and assume whoever's in the room will start listening. I also have my rants on a lot of topics. Bring the topic up, and I'll start ranting on it. Even if everyone present has heard the rant before. I never hesitate to express my opinions and do so explicitly (unless its on the internet).

 

Also, at this out of district placement, there was another program that actually dealt with autistic kids. Some were even riding the bus home with me. Some talked weird, some repeated the same things, some just made weird noises, some made no noise at all and just drooled.... and they ranged from preschool age to college age. I even briefly worked with some of the preschool aged ones. Very interesting experience, that was.

[The Evil Octopus Man 25]

Date: 4/11/2005 6:38:06 PM
Author: the_new_simman
I really think that autistic children are smarter than normal people, they just can't show there intelligance.

quote>

From what I've experienced, they are.  One of my uncle's is autistic, and he has an IQ of over 130.  My cousin, who is also autistic, has an IQ of 143, but the sad thing is, he's failing almost all his classes, because he doesn't use his intelligence.  I've had discussions with him, and he far outpaces me in pretty much everything.  They also think that his little brother has autism, though they're not sure, and he is also very smart for being only 4 or 5.

[Screwballl 196]

i have autism but i dont remember the term for it. it is basically a toned down version but the roots are still there. my 3 yr old daughter has it as well, I can tell based on her actions and the way she carries herself. Lets just say she will be 3 at the end of this April and she can use a computer (double click the proper icon to start her game, icons mixed in with 20 other icons on the desktop), she can spell cat and boy as of last week... physically she is just as advanced. she is wearing 5T clothes, is about 41 tall and 39 lbs. Of ocurs ei am 6'5 and her mother is 5'10 so she gets it from both sides.
anyways i know how tough it is dealing with people like this, as a person having to deal with myself is a chore at times lol.

[The_Dalai_Llama 15]

Wow.  I guess autism is more common than I thought.  You always hear about the most extreme cases, but I'm surprised how autism affects a wide spectrum of people, many that can even live fairly normal lives and adjust to the world around them.

[DuskTrooper 314]

That's the thing about Autism..many of those who have it are VERY intelligent..but..they are intelligent in a different way. They may do poorly in school, and such, but, when it comes to creating things, and certain skills, they may excel. This may explain why certain people do so poorly in school, socialization, yet, excel in many other things...they may have a mild form of a type of Autism. Or..maybe not..or..IDK..

[Swamper77 90]

I wasn't given the Asperger's diagnosis until I was sent to a psychologist to see if they could find a way to control my behavior. According to my parents, I used to a rather nasty person to be around. After a few visits, it was determined that I had Asperger's Syndrome. My parents have been buying all sorts of media that has information on how to deal with children that have Asperger's. I might take an interest in the information that is in them. My parents want to review the info so I can better understand my condition and learn what I can do to help myself.

I also have a tendency to talk to whoever is in the room with me. I talk so much about SimCity to my parents, it drives them crazy. I even hold conversations and arguements with myself.... But I also don't like being in quiet rooms.  I usually have some form of music with me when I am in a room alone. I also have to have music to listen to when I'm working. I don't know why either....

Duke, I think you will do fine in college. Currently, I'm going to ITT Tech in Bothell, WA and I'm planning on getting into a game design program. I plan to do 3-D models for games, similar to what I do in GMAX. A lot of the software the school uses is similar to GMAX's environment. ITT Tech is also my last chance, according to my parents, to get a college degree. I failed two semesters at a community college near where I live.

-Swamper77

[Meg 368]

Date: 4/14/2005 4:23:48 AM Author: jeronij

. . . 

Of course something is wrong, because he can not speak, he can not communicate right, and his development delays. But I really really hope that someday he will 'wake up' and he