• Replies 1 reply
  • Subscribers 65 subscribers
  • Views 498 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Family member diagnosed - he's 21 months old

D0nna

Hello,

My little cousin is being assessed for autism. It's almost certain that he has it. He's 21 months old. I'm trying to get ahead of the game and learn everything i can to help support my family and little cousin.

He is so young and so can not communicate with us yet. We are greatful that it was spotted so early in life.

Has anyone else been through this with a toddler or currently doing so?

What can we/I do to help him, i dont yet understand austism.

I have a few questions that i would like answering. Questions such as, if he is ignoring  you do you walk away and leave him or repeatedly try and get his attention, if he's obssessed spinning something is it ok to let him carry on, if he gets upset leaving the house, should we stop taking him out? If he's particular about the colour of his foods, should we only give him foods we know he will eat or try to get him to eat other foods?

Please Help.

 

  • Hi - welcome.  There are many ways to communicate, speech just being 1 of them.  My son didn't speak till he was 5 + then said a 6 word phrase.  With the help of speech therapy he pronounciation improved.  ST is very important.  I always said my son's name to get his attention, otherwise he didn't realise I was speaking to him.  I also kept things I said very simple.  Only used enough words to get the msg across.  So if we were going out we'd be in the hallway + I'd say "get your coat" + as I sd it I'd be getting his coat off the hook.  Is he doing anything when he ignores you, is his interest elsewhere?  Lots of autistic children like spinning things + sometimes on occasion themselves.  If he is spending loads of time spinning then when he stops try + distract him with something else he enjoys.  If that's going to result in a meltdown then let him completely finish his spinning + then distract him. He needs to know his routine for the day - so very important as he could well be at a loss to understand what's going on, esp if things, even little things keep changing.  He needs to know what happens nxt.  You could do him a daily "timetable" with pictures which wd include things like getting washed, dressed, eating breakfast etc.  Show him it step by step.  Point out when it's time for the nxt step, let it sink in with him.  No sudden surprises which can distress greatly.  He may get upset leaving the house because it's interrupting an activity or a surprise or because there's something he doesn't like whilst he's out.  Have you noticed any sensory issues with him :  taste, smell, textures, noises, which affect him negatively?   If you have them try to help him.  He could be overly sensitive + so react.  With food I wouldn't let it become "a battle" if you know what I mean.  Some parents let their child eat the things they like but also leave other foods close by but not on the same plate so if he wants he can try them.  No fuss is made if they're just left + you need to keep doing it, sometimes for a long time.  What colours does he like - what is he eating?  There's loads of info via the home pg + also the posts so have a look around - you can't learn everything at once.  It's getting an understanding of how autism affects him as an individual + finding ways to help/support him.  Sorry this is long!