How to keep my autisic son stimulated?

[Sparkleyone]

My little boy with autism doesnt attend nursery yet, and I am worrying that he isnt getting the right stimulation at home. We're not getting any outside help at the moment and my little boy wont go to any toddler groups. He gets very upset and will cry and cry and cry until we remove him from the situation.

He is difficult to engage in any play, and likes to do his own thing. You can have a good day and a bad day with him though.

I find it helpful to plan activities which I know he will enjoy, but these are becoming repetitive and so he is loosing interest.

Can I ask what things you do with your LO's?
Also, anyone else's LO face similar problems at playgroups? Any tips and advice? We are currently awaiting to go on a course to help us learn more about autism and ways to help our son.

Many Thanks!



Xx

 

[Hollys_Twinny]

Hey Hun, my cousin is autistic too. My auntie has a room for him as he's really aggresive and she had other Lo's too. He enjoys trampoline, soft play and he LOVES swimming. Not sure if this Is any help what so ever. Hope u find some things for him soon! X

 

[JASMAK]

Your little guy sounds alot like my daughter did. I could really relate to your post and what you were saying. Makena has come a long way, and she is only four. Your son sounds like he bores easily, and that is my daughter too. It used to be that her attention span was less than a minute. I would sit down on the floor with her, and play little games where she had to help...like super easy puzzles, cutting a plastic toy pizza, singing songs, very short stories, coloring, painting etc. But, I also gave her plenty of time to just do what she wanted to do aswell. Running in the yard, playing in the park the way she wanted to, watching her favorite DVD's. She is lucky enough to have an older brother and three cousins that are practically siblings (my sister and I are identical twins and spend alot of time together). So, Makena was always exposed to lots of other children, although, she never used to play with them. I put her in a preschool last year, and that REALLY helped. I also put her in swim lessons and ballet (with an aid) and that really helped too, although she still has HUGE focusing issues and communication difficulties. What I am trying to say though, is that each year, I see a big difference in Makena, so just keep working with your son and do some daily activities where you "work" on things, but, also, I would just let him be a kid too. x0

 

[lozzy21]

Lots of touchy feely things that he can play with. Also toys that may seem babyish for him but have lots of noises and flashing lights may keep his attention for a while. Also messy activitys that use his sences, playdough with a few drops of essential oil to make it smell nice, goo made with corn flour, finger pains are just a few idea's.

 

[soon2b6]

Like Lozzy says, I would say sensory stuff. A very experienced autism specialist once told me that kids (any kids for that matter) learn best when their senses are stimulated , she suggested warm playdough with essential oils in and music playing, I know my boys love to listen to music, and mess, of any kind, is their best friend.

 

[Sparkleyone]

Thank you for your suggestions ladies. Somedays I feel so deflated and such a failure, its such hard work. I just want to keep my little boy busy, with no wasted days as such.

Xx

 

[lozzy21]

Your not a faliure. A faliure would be some one who dosent give a crap. Your doing an amazing job and at the end of the day you can only do your best, Your not superwoman.

 

[Sparkleyone]

Thats means alot, thank you. I am having such a bad day today wishing this wasnt happening to my gorgeous little boy. I am so scared and just wish he was getting more help. I know Autism is life long, but I want him to have the best chances in life. I am worried beyond belief and everyday is full of heart ache. I gave birth only 2 weeks ago, and life would be so perfect if only my little boy was Ok. Anyway, sorry to offload, its just all getting on top of me. Thanks again Xx

 

[lozzy21]

Ofload away, thats what this place is for.

 

[twinklestar]

HI, i am a therapist for autisic children and i have an autistic son who is now 11, i had my second child when he was 2 and 9 months and it was an emotional time it was a constant struggle to juggle keeping him entertained and his mind ocupied and at the same time look after a new born

i made bags and boxes up of different toys and gave them to him one at a time after putting away the last set, i found he bored easily of toys and as he never ' played ' as such it was hard to find stimulating things for him to do, by keeping toys boxes of just 2-3 and giving one box at time he never became overwhelmed by them and would often be more interested when a box came out that he hadnt seen for a while

have you heard of reinforcer toys?? really they are just small itema like spinning tops, or flashing/ spinning things , squashy balls etc, there are some great things around, these are great for those times when u need 5 mins like feeding the baby or listening tothe doctor!! all impossible i found with my son

Looking back and now where i am i promise you with all my heart loads of those things that you fear will dissapear ,i cant believe how many milestones we have reached that once apon a time i never ever thought i would see him do !

x x

 

[MUMOF5]

HI, i am a therapist for autisic children and i have an autistic son who is now 11, i had my second child when he was 2 and 9 months and it was an emotional time it was a constant struggle to juggle keeping him entertained and his mind ocupied and at the same time look after a new born

i made bags and boxes up of different toys and gave them to him one at a time after putting away the last set, i found he bored easily of toys and as he never ' played ' as such it was hard to find stimulating things for him to do, by keeping toys boxes of just 2-3 and giving one box at time he never became overwhelmed by them and would often be more interested when a box came out that he hadnt seen for a while

have you heard of reinforcer toys?? really they are just small itema like spinning tops, or flashing/ spinning things , squashy balls etc, there are some great things around, these are great for those times when u need 5 mins like feeding the baby or listening tothe doctor!! all impossible i found with my son

Looking back and now where i am i promise you with all my heart loads of those things that you fear will dissapear ,i cant believe how many milestones we have reached that once apon a time i never ever thought i would see him do !

x x

Hope you dont mind me asking but how old was your son before he spoke? Did he need any therapy/intervention to get him talking?? My son is 2yrs 9 months and doesnt talk at all. He does make quite babyish noises, but nothing thats recognisable as a meaningful word. He comunicates by taking us by the hand and pointing to show us what he wants.

We have had our initial appointment on Thursday and the Dr is sure that he's autistic, we now have to wait for a few assessments to find out exactly 'how autistic' he is. Apparently this could take approx 8 months??!!

 

[twinklestar]

Hi , at 2.9 months he had about 5 words and most of those were ones he echoed back when we spoke, i did an intensive home programme which gave amazing results by 4 he was speaking alot more even though most was still one or two word responses, he also copied large chucks of film so was ' able' to talk just didnt see it as a means of communication, he also would lead by hand in order to show us what he wanted, i hung out for even a yes or a repeat of what the item was he wanted before i gave it to him once i knew he could talk

it depends where you live to how long it will take for you to have an assesment, we waited 6 months for our first full appointment, i hope you dont need to wait to long, do you have early years involved? you can ask the healthvistor to help if not , there is sooo much out there but unfortunaltly u need to shout to get it

shout me if you need anymore info, i feel for you i really do i remember all to clearly that i felt alone and none cared that my son was locked away


xxxxx

 

[MUMOF5]

Hi , at 2.9 months he had about 5 words and most of those were ones he echoed back when we spoke, i did an intensive home programme which gave amazing results by 4 he was speaking alot more even though most was still one or two word responses, he also copied large chucks of film so was ' able' to talk just didnt see it as a means of communication, he also would lead by hand in order to show us what he wanted, i hung out for even a yes or a repeat of what the item was he wanted before i gave it to him once i knew he could talk

it depends where you live to how long it will take for you to have an assesment, we waited 6 months for our first full appointment, i hope you dont need to wait to long, do you have early years involved? you can ask the healthvistor to help if not , there is sooo much out there but unfortunaltly u need to shout to get it

shout me if you need anymore info, i feel for you i really do i remember all to clearly that i felt alone and none cared that my son was locked away


xxxxx

Thank you Twinklestar, there is a course that I can attend that is 3 months long and Im guessing once or twice a week, and whilst im there they provide creche care for my son, which I will definately apply for,. But, we can only apply for that once he has his official diagnosis which wont be until after his assessments which the paediatrician said will take the 8 months!. I havent been given any information from anyone. Luckily whilst I was in the waiting room I found a booklet which gave me loads of information on groups, help available, benefits, websites etc, so I will contact a few organisations etc from that to find out some more info. May I ask where did you get the Intensive home course from??

Thanks in advance MUMOF5. xx

 

[Lisalovesbean]

My son Ellis is seven and has Autism.......at the severest end of the spectrum....he doesn't talk at all, is still in nappies and also has global developmental delay. He attends ft special school and had done for the past three and a half years....despite the fact he doesn't talk he is much improved and has a definite character!

He loves sensory stuff such as lights, fibre optics, meccano, fabrics such as velvet and mesh/net, glow in the dark ceiling lights, bubbles (we have just invested in a electric proffessional machine) spinning tops, drums, tambourines and the garden!

His room is kept fairly simplistic but has a tent canopy over his bed which is his retreat when he is having a meltdown or wants to be alone.....Ellis ignored his baby sister for at least the first twelve months of her life but now she is five and bigger they play together....mostly on his terms but there is some interaction. We have a box that we keep full of his faves always on hand and also keep a few bits in the car and also blanket that makes him feel safe....

Life with an autistic child is an ongoing learning curve and will always be so, but the steps however small are huge in terms of achievement! Never think you can't do this, you can.....it is so very hard to read an 'unreadable' child but you will learn as time goes on and you will find a routine that will slot in with you all!

My son goes horseriding with his school once a week and gets a lot from being around animals, loves zoos, aquariums, safari parks etc!


My boy is eternally young, aged seven but mentally 12-18 months...and life is a challenge but you get through day by day.....I do worry how I will cope with the new baby and Ellis and my daughter, but know it is possible!
xx

 

[Sparkleyone]

Twinklestar - Thank you very much. Thats really helpful. Its really hard to find things to occupy my son. Most spinning/ flashing things hold no interest to my son which is strange because I assumed they were quite popular with autistic children.

Its so pleasing to hear how your son has developed. Right now, I feel so depressed, worrying my son may never speak, and feel he is being robbed of so many things. I know these feelings are normal though, and I so hope to overcome them. I try to put my energy into finding ways to help my little boy. I have found people like yourself to be most helpful.

May I ask what the home programme you did is called? How do I go about doing this course?

MUMOF5 - My little boy is just like your son. Talking in baby language. He has started to repeat a few odd words though. Its very very small steps, but incredibly pleasing. My son also communicates by talking our hand or pointing. Bless them though, at least they have worked out how to get their needs across to us.

LisalovesBean - Thank you for telling me about your son. He sounds a wonderful little boy. I am pleased he has improved much and loves animals. My son also loves animals with a real passion. They make him so so happy. Thank you also for telling me what your son enjoys. I find I learn so much from other parents. Its also nice to feel not so alone.


I must admit, since my initial posting - my son now has a Portage worker visit him once per week, and she is helping us to teach my little boy how to play with toys. I was gobsmacked to see my son playing on the floor with his shape sorter a few days ago. Normally his toys were just something to collect dust.

Thank you all again Xx

 

[)i( sarah)i(]

Hi sparkleyone it has been along time! I have be obsessed ( I am not condoning obsessing the way I have been what so ever) with finding and learning about what is best for my son and his behaviors due to his autism.I have learned that a lot of my sons behaviors are due to his sensory integration disorder which is common in children with autism.I had no cue what sensory integration disorder was until another mom told me about it and I was amazed at how much my sons behavior resembled those i was reading about.I then asked his doctor and she confirmed it. The good thing is that you can do so much at home to help you child once you know what kind of sensory issues he is having (if any)!My son is a sensory seeker, which is why he is always putting things in his mouth and biting himself and other.He also climbs a lot and loves the being in water (because of the pressure it gives around his whole body).Here is a link that might help u see if maybe your son might be dealing with this!https://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.htmlLet me know what you think and I may be able to give you some ideas on what kind of activities would be best to do with your son.Sorry I have been so busy,I just knew once I got on baby and bump I would have so much to say and share.This is the only thread I have read and I already need to get off because I know if I read more I'll spend the whole day posting stuff!LOL