My son was diagnosed with autism
He is so emotional and intelligent and sweet but he doesn't always respond to his name and he doesn't speak at all
The Dr advised us to not do ABA therapy as it is a reward based system
Please if you can advise me what to do
I'm lost, sad and hopeless
Your GP is wise. ABA is about training the autism out of kids, stopping them stimming and forcing social contact etc - never a good idea. Trying to make them not them will only damage an autistic kiddie in the long run.
I get that you'd feel lost. All parents want the best for their kids. But what you might not be seeing right now is that he could grow up to have a rewarding life with enough of the right support and a acceptance of who he is. Being an autistic adult isn't all agony and melt down, you know. I'm glad I'm autistic. I wouldn't want to not be me. It can be a lot of fun in my head when my special interests are out to play with my hyperfocus and some of my traits have fueled my best achievements. You say he's bright...
Your son is very young yet. You don't yet know how his autism will develop. In a sense you are very lucky to have a diagnosis for him so young. That will help you to help him be the best, happiest him he can be.
As for the communication...well we are different in that regard. Some remain non verbal yet can write beautifully, others just have a speech delay; nothing for three years then suddenly fully formed sentences - don't assume he doesn't understand just because he isn't talking. Others, like me, had advanced speech development, but learned by echolalia and I use to practice talking to the animals on my wall paper, rather than people, who I didn't address unless I needed some thing.
Speech therapist? ....did you get advice to have one? ...honestly I know you might think I'm judging but I am truly not. Does your child try and speak and if so is it from the throat or does your child just get sounds and words wrong?
The last bit of my reply I admit wasn't needed but I'm an autistic adult and I have autistic children. Not talking and responding to names is the normal. Claiming a problem is there when your child has only been on this planet for less then 2 years or 3 years is utterly outrageous to me. I am totally against any training at this point in their lives. Now if I have offended anyone then please do let me know because I really don't want any part of a group that can harm children's self being anymore. Training them like dogs so they fit into society is wrong ....I shake my head in despair. If I can't talk freely being autistic on an autism site then we really do have a problem. I don't dress my replies up and I'm well aware I can be too blunt but that's me because guess what...I'm autistic and I wasn't trained in my safe family world. I am not having a personal go at anyone, I'm trying to shed light on how society can brainwash parents with developmental goals. My eldest children (in their 20s) speak fluently and sound very intelligent. My daughter was chosen to join in the choir at Cambridge University. This was my daughter who at the age of 22months grunted and ignored her name. Please see the positive in my reply....ignore the anger because its not, its passion. Take care.
My son is almost 3 and I can sympathise as one year ago we could barely communicate with him either and I also felt sad and hopeless, some days I still do as he can't communicate like other children. He also lacked eye contact until I started an online programme for ASD children called Gemiini. It's honestly been amazing in helping my son with eye contact and learning to communicate. Its no miracle worker, we still don't have full sentences but its definitely helped alongside all the useful strategies, which we incorporated into daily life, from his speech therapist.
Hi,
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Hi Reta,
I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling hopeless about your situation.
You may find the following page our website useful:
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-andw-guidance/topics/diagnosis/post-diagnosis-support
All the best,
ChloeMod
So he doesn't speak and doesn't answer to his name so now you are asking if he needs therapy at the age of less than 2 years old??? What on earth were you expecting from him in all honesty and why are you feeling sad and hopeless? I'm genuinely interested.
Maybe have another one and pray they cook you breakfast in bed while singing the alphabet, then you won't feel so bad.
