High functioning autism?

[CrunchyFrog]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with children with high functioning autism. A child in my class was recently diagnosed, we had a feeling it was Autism before the official diagnosis. We have lots of behaviour, social and emotional issues in class and his mother is being totally ignorant and hasn't come to terms with the diagnosis so until she does come to terms with it she's not much help. We're working to help her out, I could imagine finding out your child has autism would be hard.

In class he can't keep his hands to himself he is constantly touching other students. I've moved him and he sits next to me now which has solved some of the problems. He rolls around on the floor is unmotivated and is prone to 'meltdowns'. A lot of my classroom issues have been dealt with, apart from not being engaged or motivated I have him managed. The problems are when he's had a conflict with a child on the playground or something has happened at home. That's when he has meltdowns. He also can be violent, he's usually either happy or angry there is no in between. His way of dealing with conflict is to hit, kick or punch and he has no empathy or regard for the other child at all. He never lies and will always admit to anything he does.

I've keep being positive with him and we've got a pretty good classroom relationship. I'd just like to know if anyone has any experience with high functioning autism for some ideas to solve the violence. I've taken to sending him somewhere either on a job or to the principal when he's showing signs of a meltdown to prevent it before it starts. He spend some time on his own and comes back 10 minutes later fine. But, I need to be able to help him in class I can't always send him out. Also how to keep him engaged, he is bright but, refuses to work because it's 'too hard'.

I've bought a few books on it too, I would like to really work with him and eventually his mum.

Thanks

 

[BuckeyeFan]

I know this child you just described.

Well, I don't know him, but you also described my granddaughter. She is a beautiful 13 year old who most people would never guess has a form of autism. Of course, her teachers have had to help her through the ups and downs over the last several years. The meltdowns are less prevalent as she has matured. I think they are also less prevalent due to others reacting to her better.

The violence factor is also a very familiar story. She if a VERY sweet young girl until the emotions get out of control. The cool down periods also work for her. Almost like sometimes the pot has to be allowed to boil over or it will explode.

Lies are very rare as well, though she does try to make an excuse now like someone else started it. Socially, she lags behind by a couple of years. I personally think that some of that is less exposure to other kids just out on their own. They can't just let her run around as much as other kids do.

I think her original diagnosis was Persuasive Behavioral Disorder, not outright Autism, just in that family. Not sure what they would call it today. She is on meds, but I could not tell you what right now.

Academically she is very bright. A good reader and picks up on concepts rather well. This could be a positive for his family. My granddaughter has improved from not talking and hitting her head on the floor as a 3 year old to a very nice young lady now.

 

[pita300]

My daughter (according to my ex wife) has high functioning autism. My daughter who is 16 now does not have the meltdowns now that you are speaking of but boy she used to. We would be out in public at a store and she didn't get what she wants look out. People looked at us like we were bad parents and just had a spoiled brat kid. Now she doesn't have the social or sensory issues that come with the autism diagnosis. She is a social butterfly in school. The only sensory issues are the ones her mother say she has when she cuts the tags out of all her shirts. That's a whole different story and does not answer you question. Here in the states the medical community has changed the criteria to be diagnosed with autism. Now its harder to get the diagnosis so the doctor will just put the child in the PDD-NOS group which is about 50 percent of all children that are diagnosed. That keeps the doctor from having to make the all out autism diagnosis. Web sites like autism speaks are good resources but if the parents are in denial it will be hard to get them to listen let alone understand. You have a tough job ahead of you.