Attachement/Recognition issues | Autism PDD

Word concepts like Mom, Dad were hard for my son to learn too. It took my
son a very long time just to orient to his name alone. I think we worked on it
for months. We also did the picture thing. I think it was easier for my son to
learn that my name was Kathy before he learned that I was his Mom. My son
at 2ys 4months tested at 6 month level for receptive language. It will come,
it just takes a while. My son used to hit me when he was younger more as a
seonsory thing like he was excited. He also used to rub my ears for comfort.

A new prg in the ABA session is picture identification. My dd is still getting the idea so I knmow it will be a while but the therapist is having a very hard time teaching her how to identify 'mama'

any strrategies?

Also, Iknow there was a post on co-sleeping - My dd HATES to sleep in our bed - she will wiggle out the min I take her into bed - even if for a second! Does this show that she is not affectionate?

She also hits a lot when I have her close and yet she comes close to me... don't understand this behavior.

Thanks a lot - as always.

Sarah never knew me as mama till she was 4 and I understand how painful that is..the thing they did was take my picture and have her point to "mama" out of a group of 3 pics everyday~hand over hand till she mastered it..then they had her point to me all the while expecting her to utter (syllables) a close approximation of "mama" ..it was slow but it worked and now she says it all day long:) Once it clicks with her the more she will respond to you..it did with Sarah. Their learning is so opposite of most nt kids and so hard to explain how they get things and it causes a trickling effect of picking up other things...dont give up:)

The sleeping issue will improve..sounds sensory:) Best of luck!

Rita, How old is your daughter? Up until pretty close to my son's 3rd B-day, he didn't like having anyone around him, for any reason. He would really yell if people got into his space. A hug for me was a body slam. He didn't even look up if I walked in or out the door. Around 3 he started really wanting some attention from me and his siblings. He still likes/needs his time alone, but likes some social time with us as well. He first called me mommy at 3.3. it was very sporatic up until recently. He is 3.7 now. Recently, he started saying "mom, come here" He hears the other kids say that a lot. He doesn't really want anything, but he has discovered, I will come to him and say "here I am, What do you want?' when he says this. He will let me hug and give hugs back now. Still barely wants my attention, compared to all my nt kids at this age, but I am thrilled to have any. By the way, My nt kids all slept with me, all the time for years. He very rarely does. I think he likes sleeping close by, but not in the same space. The last 2 nights he has been on the couch with me, He hasn't been feeling well so who knows? Oh, and I get hit a lot too. I just put his hand down and say, "no hitting, be nice." I'm sure he will get it eventually. Good luck.By the way Rita - I would definitely look at sensory issues - what may seem like rejection from J may simple be hyper AND hyposensitivity to touch - apparently ( and oxymoronly ) they can co-exist

WHen R was a baby he was not so attached to me - he seemed to like my grans just the same as me - now at almost 3 I am like the sun to him

I did a lot of attachement parenting - partly becasue I wondered if he would not bond to me as I had worked since he was 6 weeks old - and he liked being in the Ergo , loves to nurse and co-sleep - the tide started turning in my favor when he was 18 months old in fact when he started becoming more ASD - he also started getting very loving and related and attached

You might also google "attachment therapy" -- there is a ton out for NT kids, especially adopted ones, which you might adapt.

Some of it is

This morning I was giving him lots of loves to soak in before leaving & he said "Mom, I don't want to say goodbye to you." First off this kind of expression & being able to put thoughts to words is totally new, so it's amazing. I've come to learn that Christian does not respond typically to what he's feeling. He almost acts the exact opposite as any other child would for what he's feeling. With other recent expressions I'm amazed to learn that he's always felt these ways. His freak outs aren't for "no reason at all" like I have felt so often. They are just almost impossible to interpret because they don't make sense to us as to a normal way of responding to environment, feelings, etc. I'm now able to teach him to act in a way that reflects his feelings. Because it doesn't come natural it is very hard drilling this in. But it's a slow process that is working!

Just want to say thankyou to all of u. I needed to hear that it may/will come someday that she will feel a little connected to me...I hate the feeling of being just another object which is to she treats with an out-of sight -out of mind kind of attitude.