Terri:

Thank you for the book suggestions and for the descriptions and
explanations of what has been your experiences with Patrick.

I have tried the benedryl on the children, but it has the opposite
effects and makes them very wired instead of tired.

The echoalic autism you speak of is so interesting to me... Chloe has
always been seen as vocal and bright, especially compared to Trevor,
but she often is just repeating things she hears and recites in
videos. She has the uncanny ability to use those words in context, so
people think she is using her own words, but she is not. She also has
a weird flat affect at times, and an ability to hurt others without
realizing... Not malicious, but with absolutely no feeling about it
one way or another. She also often smears foods on the table or on
her hair or on my arm if I am seated next to her. She prefers soft
textures and eats mostly mushy foods. I have to keep her away from
candles and crayons and watch her closely so she does not eat
inedible objects. She just gave up her pacifier at age 4! She also
self-stims on the floor and her body goes rigid at times where she
falls. I started her in ballet/tap class this past semester and it
seems to be helping her understand where her body is in space a bit
better. She also has problems with understanding safety issues like
running in the streets or walking off with strangers. She walks into
people or shopping carts all the time, too. Her eye contact is there
at times, but not at other times. She can be very sad, angry or happy
and it seems to flip dramatically at will. She needs a lot of
constant attention.

At first, people kept giving me "parenting tips" and told me that I
was not a strong enough disciplinarian with her. It has taken 2 years
for her to grow enough where others are starting to see her age-
inappropriate behaviors. I have been told that because I am home
schooling, that things will not be caught as readily as if she were
in a preschool program, but I still have the intent to home school
especially here in Arizona where the school systems are so terrible.

I am just starting to understand the autistic behaviors in Trevor, so
the news of Chloe having some quirks was a shock and a relief all at
once. I had the "mom feelings" that she was different, but now others
are seeing it. I do believe she will be able to function in society,
while Trevor will most likely not. In any case, I hope I can do my
best to take care of both of them, and find the best location for us
to live.

I will check out the book. I have read Temple Grandin's book already,
and I think it is very good at explaining the autism experience and
how to unlock communication.
Thanks again...:)


--- In pws-autism@yahoogroups.com, "Terri & Howard Schlange"
<familyof4@...> wrote:
>
> 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
>