.

Hi all,

 Yes, as Stateofindependance quite rightly points out RE: Skin itching. "though sensory issues will make it worse, there may be a treatable underlying physical cause like an allergy or vitamin deficiency."

As a child I had mainly Asthma and hayfever ,(My mother severe Eczema.) But my skin was always sensitive. Hives, swelling and all manor of rashes etc If I hugged my pet guinea pig i swelled up, if I peel potatoes the starch makes my skin itch like crazy As an adult I had a skin test and it revealed all manor of allergies. If it appears more Eczema based; as is the case with one of my sons, do look at food/drink/drug triggers. In my experience creams although a good barrier for sore skin, tend to treat the symptom and rarely address the cause. When looking at food elimination from the diet, it's important to consult a qualifed dietician who has experience in such allergic reations or sensitivites, preferably someone with holistic training.

The increase in my own sensitivity does seem affected by two factors though, One being sensory based and the other related to external factors. My most recent severe bout was due to an external factor by way of a change in prescription medication designed to alleaviate my joint and arthritic pain.The medication is opiate based and its side effects are reknownd for causing skin itching. The knee jerk reaction of the GP was to prescribe antihistamines to counteract the effects of the itching. It's no wonder patients end up taking shed loads of meds to counteract the effects of other meds! I'm now looking at alternatives, but even if I eliminate this drug and other known triggers my skin Itches, albeit at a lower more managable level. Finding a balance between pain management and a quality of living, verses side effects of medication, is a tough nut to crack.

Some documents on the net point to scratching in people with Autism as being more self-ingerous behaviour and although I believe a small amount of people do self injure by scratching, I'm not entirely convinced this is the sole reason. Others talk about these actions as more of an OCD thing, but I'm led to believe if that is the case the scratching is rarely accomapnied by an itch on the skin. Stimming is another possible cause. Many factors may be at play here.

I found this link yesterday when trying to remeber the medical term for itching. It aslo points to a number of contributing factors that could be at play.

www.trich.org/.../skin-faqs.html

I too sang as a child, both alone on my swing which I found very comforting (Swinging being my form of stimming at the time, in fact) and later in a Choir. It's great outlet and allows one to be part of something communial. Is it possible he could attend a choir outside the School setting, thus limiting his exposure to the bullies and allowing him to do something he enjoys.

My son also sings. He has a voice way more in tune than my own though. He's never sung professionally or for money, but frequently joins chiors for fundraisering such as at his Uni for 'Children in need.' Perhaps this could be an option for your son.

Aswell as ASD, i'm also Dyslexic. In my youth, when trying to spell difficult words I would sing them which made the spelling easier to remember. This is a strategy, my son has also embraced. It's remarkable the staregies we embrace to get by.

I'm not sure how your son feels about the bullying he's encountered, or even if he's at the right place just now, but after my own sons experience with repeated bullying (He had a total stranger, try to set him on fire on a public bus. The last straw.) he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He is currently an Abassador for Autism at his College, has been a pupil to pupi, SEN liason at his former School and now promotes Autism Awareness in his spare time on a social network site. 

Flipping the coin from Victim to advisor and educating students and teachers about bullying, the affects of his learning difficulties and the impact of such actions of ignorance on individuals such as himself, has been extremely empowering for him.

After a lifetime of being misunderstood, overlooked, ignored or abused by outsiders, he's found a voice. It may be way too soon for your son. However, if your son is in touch with the possibility he may have ASD, a great deal of solidarity and comfrot can be had by communing with others on social network sites, created by or aimed at, youngsters who have ASD and who have ecxperienced similar traumas and share similar difficulties. My own son has taken some time to get to this point and endured many severe traumas, but is now in a position to help others as best he can. Something to consider for your son perhaps. It will not take way your sons pain, but it may well give him an outlet that is beneficial to others and empowering to himself.

Just a thought. Take Care

Coogybear

Hi all,

 Yes, as Stateofindependance quite rightly points out RE: Skin itching. "though sensory issues will make it worse, there may be a treatable underlying physical cause like an allergy or vitamin deficiency."

As a child I had mainly Asthma and hayfever ,(My mother severe Eczema.) But my skin was always sensitive. Hives, swelling and all manor of rashes etc If I hugged my pet guinea pig i swelled up, if I peel potatoes the starch makes my skin itch like crazy As an adult I had a skin test and it revealed all manor of allergies. If it appears more Eczema based; as is the case with one of my sons, do look at food/drink/drug triggers. In my experience creams although a good barrier for sore skin, tend to treat the symptom and rarely address the cause. When looking at food elimination from the diet, it's important to consult a qualifed dietician who has experience in such allergic reations or sensitivites, preferably someone with holistic training.

The increase in my own sensitivity does seem affected by two factors though, One being sensory based and the other related to external factors. My most recent severe bout was due to an external factor by way of a change in prescription medication designed to alleaviate my joint and arthritic pain.The medication is opiate based and its side effects are reknownd for causing skin itching. The knee jerk reaction of the GP was to prescribe antihistamines to counteract the effects of the itching. It's no wonder patients end up taking shed loads of meds to counteract the effects of other meds! I'm now looking at alternatives, but even if I eliminate this drug and other known triggers my skin Itches, albeit at a lower more managable level. Finding a balance between pain management and a quality of living, verses side effects of medication, is a tough nut to crack.

Some documents on the net point to scratching in people with Autism as being more self-ingerous behaviour and although I believe a small amount of people do self injure by scratching, I'm not entirely convinced this is the sole reason. Others talk about these actions as more of an OCD thing, but I'm led to believe if that is the case the scratching is rarely accomapnied by an itch on the skin. Stimming is another possible cause. Many factors may be at play here.

I found this link yesterday when trying to remeber the medical term for itching. It aslo points to a number of contributing factors that could be at play.

www.trich.org/.../skin-faqs.html

I too sang as a child, both alone on my swing which I found very comforting (Swinging being my form of stimming at the time, in fact) and later in a Choir. It's great outlet and allows one to be part of something communial. Is it possible he could attend a choir outside the School setting, thus limiting his exposure to the bullies and allowing him to do something he enjoys.

My son also sings. He has a voice way more in tune than my own though. He's never sung professionally or for money, but frequently joins chiors for fundraisering such as at his Uni for 'Children in need.' Perhaps this could be an option for your son.

Aswell as ASD, i'm also Dyslexic. In my youth, when trying to spell difficult words I would sing them which made the spelling easier to remember. This is a strategy, my son has also embraced. It's remarkable the staregies we embrace to get by.

I'm not sure how your son feels about the bullying he's encountered, or even if he's at the right place just now, but after my own sons experience with repeated bullying (He had a total stranger, try to set him on fire on a public bus. The last straw.) he decided to take matters into his own hands.

He is currently an Abassador for Autism at his College, has been a pupil to pupi, SEN liason at his former School and now promotes Autism Awareness in his spare time on a social network site. 

Flipping the coin from Victim to advisor and educating students and teachers about bullying, the affects of his learning difficulties and the impact of such actions of ignorance on individuals such as himself, has been extremely empowering for him.

After a lifetime of being misunderstood, overlooked, ignored or abused by outsiders, he's found a voice. It may be way too soon for your son. However, if your son is in touch with the possibility he may have ASD, a great deal of solidarity and comfrot can be had by communing with others on social network sites, created by or aimed at, youngsters who have ASD and who have ecxperienced similar traumas and share similar difficulties. My own son has taken some time to get to this point and endured many severe traumas, but is now in a position to help others as best he can. Something to consider for your son perhaps. It will not take way your sons pain, but it may well give him an outlet that is beneficial to others and empowering to himself.

Just a thought. Take Care

Coogybear