Who do you call? | Autism PDD

I call the OT first. Even if they don't know Ethan that well, they may have
tips to help you. Then I call the dev. ped. Then I would look into a behavior
interventionist.

But mostly, I just come here.

I hope this "phase" is over soon.I just posted something like this on another thread, but my behavior specialist is not much help.  My ds is 7.  He never quit spitting up since he was a baby.  Did a reflux test at 18 months, was negative.  Behavior specialist said spitting up/vomiting was probably weak muscle tone or he was doing it on purpose.  I kept switching peds since a lot of doctors in my area don't know much about autism.  We found a really nice ped said same thing about vomiting, was probably behavior.  I said I was concerned he had not gained any weight in 2 years,( have brought this up to every doc) but he has gotten taller.  Plus, I was sick the entire time I was pregnant with him.  Also he headbangs, scratches, throws things, etc.  He referred us to gastro specialist anyway to ease my concerns.  Gastro doc did upper GI scope and found eosinophilic esophagitis.  His throat is swollen due to food allergies.  I always thought of rashes as food allergy symptom and my son is now nonverbal so he can't tell me if he feels bad.  Just had allergy testing done and he is allergic to eggs, corn, soy, rice, and fish.  I had thought of trying GFCF and now I'm glad I waited because that's what isn't making him sick.  Then I did search of food allergy sypmtoms and there are so many!  Get a referral to allergist before you try a diet.  I've been poisoning my son his whole life and almost got rid of the foods he can eat. 

Kelly

No good suggestion but a grasping-for-straws idea. I just finised reading
'George and Sam' written by a mom about her two autistic sons. Her son
Sam had a significant regression at age 5 with loosing all language, self-
injuring, tantrums, hour long crying and screaming...She felt strongly that
his regression was due to food allergies and he has improved significantly
since she removed gluten and milkproducts. (She did not feel that her
other autistc son had the same allergies). Some of the signs were increase
in self-injuring, tantrums,hyperactivity, worse sleeping patterns,
distended belly, diarreha, hot and sweating, ... I think some autistic kids
have very behavioral reactions to foods they are allergic to. Could it be
allergies?Do a search for "Donna Williams" on the web. She is an amazing lady with autism who has great insight. Last week I was lucky enough to hear her lecture. She is a published author and does consult work. You could talk to her through email. I think she charges apprximately Au an hour .She times it by how long it takes to type you a response. She won't go over the hour with out asking you first. As you are not in Australia this is the only way to consult with her. It might be worth a try... Liz

There are ways to help your son as all have suggested..a BCBA can do a full behavioral analysis on your son and find a program tailored to extinct these behaviors, and I would check out food allergies too as they are a culprit into behaviors especially milk..since his physical health is fine~look for environment and sensory issues in the home.his lack of communicating is a huge issue for behaviors.. are they big emotional changes going on?.. could sensory be an issue? 

Since he is nonverbal I would take pictures of everything in his life that means something to him and make charts, posters and books for him to point to...the more he can communicate the less behaviors you will see..Also make a chart of emotions: happy, sad, sick , hungry, sleepy..ect and see if that helps him. Dont give up..get creative and find as many ways that you can to help him express what is going on inside:)

Best of luck!

 Hi, Thanks for all the ideas.  The school never provides a behavioral specialist, ever,  and his m.a. won't cover it. Have to wait to get the waiver for that. Maybe another year. I thought about allergies, but he eats the same things all the time and his behavior is usually happy, easy going, except the anxiety, fears that have been really consistant.  I tried taking pictures of everything about 6 mo. ago. He would just try and eat them, but I think I will try again. He has come a long way in trying to communicate. He did better yesterday.  Now I don't know what to think. The only real difference is that it's summer and he used to get a few days at home with realtive quiet for a good part of the day, now it's constant noise, from the older kids and misc. friends. I know it's getting on my nerves, but it has been 7 weeks. Nothing new. I will try and set up a picture book for him and keep a diary of what he eats, whats going on etc and behaviors. Poor thing, I have to try and figure it out.  I just wish, like I said, there was some "main person" you could call about these issues. Like the ped, who gets to know your child really well. I'm feeling like no one spends enough time with him to do that. 1 hr a week just doesn't cut it.  We have O.T. and speech today. I will talk to the O.T., but he pretty much runs the show at O.T. Just a lot of running back and forth in the room, switching the lights on and off. She seems not to be able to handle things. But he does well in st.  Off to buy a few "throw away" cameras. thanks again.
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