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Lin,
Patrick didn't give much eye contact until he started having caregivers 12 hours a day paid for by the State of Kansas when he was age 5. Because he's so severe, he qualified. The CDDO is trying to reduce our 12 hours per day at the time, but we are fighting them.
After trying many holistic approaches to Patrick's sleep, he is now on Risperdal. Otherwise, Patrick will consistently get up at 3:30 in the morning & stay awake the rest of the day. He was really crabby then because he was so tired. We also give him 4 t. of Benadryl as part of his sleeping regiment. I also do that occassionally during the day when he's crabby. It calms him down.
When Patrick gets upset, he used to bang his head on the wall or floor. He now hits his head with his open hand when he's upset or stomps his foot. I believe this would go away if he could speak.
An interesting book on echoalic autism (repeats back what you say, shows, etc.) is Nobody Nowhere by Donna Williams. Donna wrote the book & gave it to her psychiatrist so he could tell her what was wrong with her. Donna didn't realize words had meaning until she was age 9. http://www.amazon.com/Nobody-Nowhere-Extraordinary-Autobiography-Autistic/dp/0380722178/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2588110-4867829?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175283774&sr=8-1
Temple Grandin's book, Thinking in Pictures, is also interesting. http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Pictures-Expanded-Life-Autism/dp/0307275655/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5_rsrsrs0/103-2588110-4867829 She could understand words, but couldn't speak until she was older. I feel Patrick fits in this category, but can't convey it.
I have also attached an article about Tito, an autistic boy from India.
Terri Schlange
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