Re: New symptoms of Autism have appeared - HELP

[Guest guest]

Real, what you are experiencing is very common. In many cases new

symptoms continue to appear over time. I thought once we did the

diet and stuff at 2yrs old (six mos into therapy) she would

continually lose symptoms. However, after 3 mos of great gains, she

spiraled, began to tantrum continuously and many other major

disruptions.

I know at your point you are still dealing with a lot of the " mommy

stuff " from learning your new daughter as opposed to the one you

were expecting to have. That's okay, it takes time to make the

adjustment. My suggestion is to prepare yourself for new symptoms to

come up for the next couple of years, at least. Also, try to balance

that with the realization of how far she's come. Right now make a

list of what she is able to do that she couldn't, like how many new

words she's saying, fine motor skills she's aquired, eye contact

moments between you. Use these gains to remember when you are

feeling worry and fear. I often forget how far my Allie Kat has

come. I used to freak out every time I saw Allie do

something " autistic " in the beginning. Now I find many innocent

things (like lining all the crystal and china from tallest to

smallest in circles around the dining room table) as a fun thing to

watch and enjoy her at work. It makes her happy and it's not

dangerous or socially off-the-wall (like masturbating in public as

an extreme example).

As someone who's now had a child officially dxed for over 3 yrs,

lining up toys is a dream symptom! It sounds to me that you have a

very perceptive, smart young lady who enjoys grouping, something the

therapists will continually work with her on achieving. It probably

gives her comfort and enjoyment. My NT daughters also go through

this phase around 2, it's a cognitive gain to sort.

My advice to you is to try to see what behavior is okay and what is

not. For example, I'm fine with Allie lining up toys; I'm not fine

with her pulling the crystals off the chandelier and hanging in a

line on the batting I have out for a quilt I'm making. I'm okay with

her lining up the thread in the floor next to my sewing desk,

provided she puts it away; I'm not okay with her running around and

around the dining room, making a thread wrap of the table and

chairs -- too difficult to clean, has got her fingers caught in it,

cutting her, etc.

HTH,

Debi

>

> This is very scary! We thought we were not going to see any

further

> signs of autism considering that she had only social and verbal

> deficiencies, she was diagnosed early and we began treatment too.

She

> is picking up words and rhymes quickly, responding very well in

her

> ABA sessions. Attends regular daycare for the whole day. Eye

contact

> is improving. Please someone let us know how to address or treat

this

[Guest guest]

Real, what you are experiencing is very common. In many cases new

symptoms continue to appear over time. I thought once we did the

diet and stuff at 2yrs old (six mos into therapy) she would

continually lose symptoms. However, after 3 mos of great gains, she

spiraled, began to tantrum continuously and many other major

disruptions.

I know at your point you are still dealing with a lot of the " mommy

stuff " from learning your new daughter as opposed to the one you

were expecting to have. That's okay, it takes time to make the

adjustment. My suggestion is to prepare yourself for new symptoms to

come up for the next couple of years, at least. Also, try to balance

that with the realization of how far she's come. Right now make a

list of what she is able to do that she couldn't, like how many new

words she's saying, fine motor skills she's aquired, eye contact

moments between you. Use these gains to remember when you are

feeling worry and fear. I often forget how far my Allie Kat has

come. I used to freak out every time I saw Allie do

something " autistic " in the beginning. Now I find many innocent

things (like lining all the crystal and china from tallest to

smallest in circles around the dining room table) as a fun thing to

watch and enjoy her at work. It makes her happy and it's not

dangerous or socially off-the-wall (like masturbating in public as

an extreme example).

As someone who's now had a child officially dxed for over 3 yrs,

lining up toys is a dream symptom! It sounds to me that you have a

very perceptive, smart young lady who enjoys grouping, something the

therapists will continually work with her on achieving. It probably

gives her comfort and enjoyment. My NT daughters also go through

this phase around 2, it's a cognitive gain to sort.

My advice to you is to try to see what behavior is okay and what is

not. For example, I'm fine with Allie lining up toys; I'm not fine

with her pulling the crystals off the chandelier and hanging in a

line on the batting I have out for a quilt I'm making. I'm okay with

her lining up the thread in the floor next to my sewing desk,

provided she puts it away; I'm not okay with her running around and

around the dining room, making a thread wrap of the table and

chairs -- too difficult to clean, has got her fingers caught in it,

cutting her, etc.

HTH,

Debi

>

> This is very scary! We thought we were not going to see any

further

> signs of autism considering that she had only social and verbal

> deficiencies, she was diagnosed early and we began treatment too.

She

> is picking up words and rhymes quickly, responding very well in

her

> ABA sessions. Attends regular daycare for the whole day. Eye

contact

> is improving. Please someone let us know how to address or treat

this

[Guest guest]

Real, what you are experiencing is very common. In many cases new

symptoms continue to appear over time. I thought once we did the

diet and stuff at 2yrs old (six mos into therapy) she would

continually lose symptoms. However, after 3 mos of great gains, she

spiraled, began to tantrum continuously and many other major

disruptions.

I know at your point you are still dealing with a lot of the " mommy

stuff " from learning your new daughter as opposed to the one you

were expecting to have. That's okay, it takes time to make the

adjustment. My suggestion is to prepare yourself for new symptoms to

come up for the next couple of years, at least. Also, try to balance

that with the realization of how far she's come. Right now make a

list of what she is able to do that she couldn't, like how many new

words she's saying, fine motor skills she's aquired, eye contact

moments between you. Use these gains to remember when you are

feeling worry and fear. I often forget how far my Allie Kat has

come. I used to freak out every time I saw Allie do

something " autistic " in the beginning. Now I find many innocent

things (like lining all the crystal and china from tallest to

smallest in circles around the dining room table) as a fun thing to

watch and enjoy her at work. It makes her happy and it's not

dangerous or socially off-the-wall (like masturbating in public as

an extreme example).

As someone who's now had a child officially dxed for over 3 yrs,

lining up toys is a dream symptom! It sounds to me that you have a

very perceptive, smart young lady who enjoys grouping, something the

therapists will continually work with her on achieving. It probably

gives her comfort and enjoyment. My NT daughters also go through

this phase around 2, it's a cognitive gain to sort.

My advice to you is to try to see what behavior is okay and what is

not. For example, I'm fine with Allie lining up toys; I'm not fine

with her pulling the crystals off the chandelier and hanging in a

line on the batting I have out for a quilt I'm making. I'm okay with

her lining up the thread in the floor next to my sewing desk,

provided she puts it away; I'm not okay with her running around and

around the dining room, making a thread wrap of the table and

chairs -- too difficult to clean, has got her fingers caught in it,

cutting her, etc.

HTH,

Debi

>

> This is very scary! We thought we were not going to see any

further

> signs of autism considering that she had only social and verbal

> deficiencies, she was diagnosed early and we began treatment too.

She

> is picking up words and rhymes quickly, responding very well in

her

> ABA sessions. Attends regular daycare for the whole day. Eye

contact

> is improving. Please someone let us know how to address or treat

this

[Guest guest]

If it bugs you, go mess up her lines. She'll probably pitch a fit,

but try to get her to do something constructive with the toys she's

lining up. If she's lining up blocks, go over and start stacking

them, or building houses, if it's cars, make them race. Get her to

interact with you! Take her interests to a new place! I think that

is part of what RDI involves too, from my limited knowledge of it.

If it doesn't bother you, I agree with the other posts. In the grand

scheme of things it's not such a bad behavior. There will be new

ones, despite her early intervention and good progress so far. It is

a long struggle. You can do it, but don't over-react to every new

behavior. Pick your battles. It will save you a lot of time and

headaches.

Amnesty

>

> Hi,

>

> My daughter was diagnosed as HFA at 18 months and been on the GFCF

> diet ever since. She started ABA at 20 months for 1 hour a day.

Now

> she just turned 22 months and last week we noticed for the first

time

> she started lining up toys belonging to the same group. E.g.,

wooden

> Blocks, or leggo pieces, sometimes if she comes across lollipops

of

> diff colors, peg puzzles taken out of the board and neatly placed

> next to each other.

>

> This is very scary! We thought we were not going to see any

further

> signs of autism considering that she had only social and verbal

> deficiencies, she was diagnosed early and we began treatment too.

She

> is picking up words and rhymes quickly, responding very well in

her

> ABA sessions. Attends regular daycare for the whole day. Eye

contact

> is improving. Please someone let us know how to address or treat

this

> appearence of the classic autism symptom of lining up objects.

>

> Besides the GFCF diet, we also consulted a DAN doc who put her on

> Probiotics and Yeast aid. The probiotics was causing her extreme

> discomfort and would result in crying all night. So we stopped

that

> and her sleep pattern has been great and she is alert and

attentive

> the next day. We are going to start RDI very soon. Please let me

> know if any therapy, activity or treatment (if any) DIRECTLY

> addresses this " lining up of objects " issue.

>

> Ever so grateful to you in advance for your suggestions.

>

> Real

[Guest guest]

If it bugs you, go mess up her lines. She'll probably pitch a fit,

but try to get her to do something constructive with the toys she's

lining up. If she's lining up blocks, go over and start stacking

them, or building houses, if it's cars, make them race. Get her to

interact with you! Take her interests to a new place! I think that

is part of what RDI involves too, from my limited knowledge of it.

If it doesn't bother you, I agree with the other posts. In the grand

scheme of things it's not such a bad behavior. There will be new

ones, despite her early intervention and good progress so far. It is

a long struggle. You can do it, but don't over-react to every new

behavior. Pick your battles. It will save you a lot of time and

headaches.

Amnesty

>

> Hi,

>

> My daughter was diagnosed as HFA at 18 months and been on the GFCF

> diet ever since. She started ABA at 20 months for 1 hour a day.

Now

> she just turned 22 months and last week we noticed for the first

time

> she started lining up toys belonging to the same group. E.g.,

wooden

> Blocks, or leggo pieces, sometimes if she comes across lollipops

of

> diff colors, peg puzzles taken out of the board and neatly placed

> next to each other.

>

> This is very scary! We thought we were not going to see any

further

> signs of autism considering that she had only social and verbal

> deficiencies, she was diagnosed early and we began treatment too.

She

> is picking up words and rhymes quickly, responding very well in

her

> ABA sessions. Attends regular daycare for the whole day. Eye

contact

> is improving. Please someone let us know how to address or treat

this

> appearence of the classic autism symptom of lining up objects.

>

> Besides the GFCF diet, we also consulted a DAN doc who put her on

> Probiotics and Yeast aid. The probiotics was causing her extreme

> discomfort and would result in crying all night. So we stopped

that

> and her sleep pattern has been great and she is alert and

attentive

> the next day. We are going to start RDI very soon. Please let me

> know if any therapy, activity or treatment (if any) DIRECTLY

> addresses this " lining up of objects " issue.

>

> Ever so grateful to you in advance for your suggestions.

>

> Real

[Guest guest]

If it bugs you, go mess up her lines. She'll probably pitch a fit,

but try to get her to do something constructive with the toys she's

lining up. If she's lining up blocks, go over and start stacking

them, or building houses, if it's cars, make them race. Get her to

interact with you! Take her interests to a new place! I think that

is part of what RDI involves too, from my limited knowledge of it.

If it doesn't bother you, I agree with the other posts. In the grand

scheme of things it's not such a bad behavior. There will be new

ones, despite her early intervention and good progress so far. It is

a long struggle. You can do it, but don't over-react to every new

behavior. Pick your battles. It will save you a lot of time and

headaches.

Amnesty

>

> Hi,

>

> My daughter was diagnosed as HFA at 18 months and been on the GFCF

> diet ever since. She started ABA at 20 months for 1 hour a day.

Now

> she just turned 22 months and last week we noticed for the first

time

> she started lining up toys belonging to the same group. E.g.,

wooden

> Blocks, or leggo pieces, sometimes if she comes across lollipops

of

> diff colors, peg puzzles taken out of the board and neatly placed

> next to each other.

>

> This is very scary! We thought we were not going to see any

further

> signs of autism considering that she had only social and verbal

> deficiencies, she was diagnosed early and we began treatment too.

She

> is picking up words and rhymes quickly, responding very well in

her

> ABA sessions. Attends regular daycare for the whole day. Eye

contact

> is improving. Please someone let us know how to address or treat

this

> appearence of the classic autism symptom of lining up objects.

>

> Besides the GFCF diet, we also consulted a DAN doc who put her on

> Probiotics and Yeast aid. The probiotics was causing her extreme

> discomfort and would result in crying all night. So we stopped

that

> and her sleep pattern has been great and she is alert and

attentive

> the next day. We are going to start RDI very soon. Please let me

> know if any therapy, activity or treatment (if any) DIRECTLY

> addresses this " lining up of objects " issue.

>

> Ever so grateful to you in advance for your suggestions.

>

> Real

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Kassi on that one. Autism is still part of who she is,

its not going to hurt anything to let her just be part of her world for a few

minutes a day and line up her toys. Chances are that it is calming to her.

People with Autism live most of their lives having to be as " NT " as possible. We

as 'NT's " need to accept an autistic world too.

Pennie

Abby's Mom

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Kassi on that one. Autism is still part of who she is,

its not going to hurt anything to let her just be part of her world for a few

minutes a day and line up her toys. Chances are that it is calming to her.

People with Autism live most of their lives having to be as " NT " as possible. We

as 'NT's " need to accept an autistic world too.

Pennie

Abby's Mom

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Kassi on that one. Autism is still part of who she is,

its not going to hurt anything to let her just be part of her world for a few

minutes a day and line up her toys. Chances are that it is calming to her.

People with Autism live most of their lives having to be as " NT " as possible. We

as 'NT's " need to accept an autistic world too.

Pennie

Abby's Mom

[Guest guest]

We often see Alyssa " developing " new symptoms, or returning to

former ones as she is about to make a leap in development in one

area or another. We see them when she is anxious, too, usually when

we've introduced a new ABA tutor, or enrolled her in a different

(new) school or program.

[Guest guest]

We often see Alyssa " developing " new symptoms, or returning to

former ones as she is about to make a leap in development in one

area or another. We see them when she is anxious, too, usually when

we've introduced a new ABA tutor, or enrolled her in a different

(new) school or program.

[Guest guest]

We often see Alyssa " developing " new symptoms, or returning to

former ones as she is about to make a leap in development in one

area or another. We see them when she is anxious, too, usually when

we've introduced a new ABA tutor, or enrolled her in a different

(new) school or program.

[Guest guest]

Dear Real_Jersey:

It seems the underlying question you are asking is why the lining up of cars has

appeared since you are doing all of these therapies and using early intervention

strategies to address the various traits and characteristics of autism that your

daughter displays. I truly don't have the answer to this question which seems

to be of utmost concern to you.

However I will kind of add my two cents and say that while this behavior seems

troubling to you, try not to overreact because usually these behaviors do serve

a purpose. It's been said that lining up objects is calming for individuals

with autism, I also personally believe they see that activity as a means to

bring purpose and order to their world. It is an activity all their own that

they have total control over while they are doing it.

One word of caution, if I may. If you are determined to extinguish this

behavior, be very careful because your daughter may choose another behavior to

replace it that may be a little obvious or more " autistic-looking " for lack of a

better word (and I hope that doesn't offend anyone on the list).

I think the advice of joining her in the activity and then changing the rules so

to speak by using the toys in a more creative manner is a good idea. Try using

different containers to " sort " the different toys she is grouping together. I

know my 12 yr old daughter who doesn't have autism sorts her M & Ms before she

eats them by color, and I have seen plenty of adults do this too.

I know there are ABA drills that work on appropriate play, it may be time to

incorporate some of those into her therapy schedule.

You seem to be a very involved caring mom who wants to do whatever she can so

that her daughter will make progress and achieve new goals. Good luck on your

journey!

Vickie, 's mom

New symptoms of Autism have appeared - HELP

Hi,

My daughter was diagnosed as HFA at 18 months and been on the GFCF

diet ever since. She started ABA at 20 months for 1 hour a day. Now

she just turned 22 months and last week we noticed for the first time

she started lining up toys belonging to the same group. E.g., wooden

Blocks, or leggo pieces, sometimes if she comes across lollipops of

diff colors, peg puzzles taken out of the board and neatly placed

next to each other.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Guest guest]

Dear Real_Jersey:

It seems the underlying question you are asking is why the lining up of cars has

appeared since you are doing all of these therapies and using early intervention

strategies to address the various traits and characteristics of autism that your

daughter displays. I truly don't have the answer to this question which seems

to be of utmost concern to you.

However I will kind of add my two cents and say that while this behavior seems

troubling to you, try not to overreact because usually these behaviors do serve

a purpose. It's been said that lining up objects is calming for individuals

with autism, I also personally believe they see that activity as a means to

bring purpose and order to their world. It is an activity all their own that

they have total control over while they are doing it.

One word of caution, if I may. If you are determined to extinguish this

behavior, be very careful because your daughter may choose another behavior to

replace it that may be a little obvious or more " autistic-looking " for lack of a

better word (and I hope that doesn't offend anyone on the list).

I think the advice of joining her in the activity and then changing the rules so

to speak by using the toys in a more creative manner is a good idea. Try using

different containers to " sort " the different toys she is grouping together. I

know my 12 yr old daughter who doesn't have autism sorts her M & Ms before she

eats them by color, and I have seen plenty of adults do this too.

I know there are ABA drills that work on appropriate play, it may be time to

incorporate some of those into her therapy schedule.

You seem to be a very involved caring mom who wants to do whatever she can so

that her daughter will make progress and achieve new goals. Good luck on your

journey!

Vickie, 's mom

New symptoms of Autism have appeared - HELP

Hi,

My daughter was diagnosed as HFA at 18 months and been on the GFCF

diet ever since. She started ABA at 20 months for 1 hour a day. Now

she just turned 22 months and last week we noticed for the first time

she started lining up toys belonging to the same group. E.g., wooden

Blocks, or leggo pieces, sometimes if she comes across lollipops of

diff colors, peg puzzles taken out of the board and neatly placed

next to each other.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Guest guest]

Dear Real_Jersey:

It seems the underlying question you are asking is why the lining up of cars has

appeared since you are doing all of these therapies and using early intervention

strategies to address the various traits and characteristics of autism that your

daughter displays. I truly don't have the answer to this question which seems

to be of utmost concern to you.

However I will kind of add my two cents and say that while this behavior seems

troubling to you, try not to overreact because usually these behaviors do serve

a purpose. It's been said that lining up objects is calming for individuals

with autism, I also personally believe they see that activity as a means to

bring purpose and order to their world. It is an activity all their own that

they have total control over while they are doing it.

One word of caution, if I may. If you are determined to extinguish this

behavior, be very careful because your daughter may choose another behavior to

replace it that may be a little obvious or more " autistic-looking " for lack of a

better word (and I hope that doesn't offend anyone on the list).

I think the advice of joining her in the activity and then changing the rules so

to speak by using the toys in a more creative manner is a good idea. Try using

different containers to " sort " the different toys she is grouping together. I

know my 12 yr old daughter who doesn't have autism sorts her M & Ms before she

eats them by color, and I have seen plenty of adults do this too.

I know there are ABA drills that work on appropriate play, it may be time to

incorporate some of those into her therapy schedule.

You seem to be a very involved caring mom who wants to do whatever she can so

that her daughter will make progress and achieve new goals. Good luck on your

journey!

Vickie, 's mom

New symptoms of Autism have appeared - HELP

Hi,

My daughter was diagnosed as HFA at 18 months and been on the GFCF

diet ever since. She started ABA at 20 months for 1 hour a day. Now

she just turned 22 months and last week we noticed for the first time

she started lining up toys belonging to the same group. E.g., wooden

Blocks, or leggo pieces, sometimes if she comes across lollipops of

diff colors, peg puzzles taken out of the board and neatly placed

next to each other.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Guest guest]

Can I come over and line things up with you? Ohhh the pattern that would

emerge.....

*flappin*

Donna

> Message: 9

> Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2004 19:55:26 -0700 (PDT)

>

> Subject: Re: New symptoms of Autism have appeared - HELP

>

> I suggest...not worrying about it. In the grand scheme

> of things, is it going to hurt anyone or anything if

> she lines things up? Sorting, same with same, those

> are something that ABA *encourages*-it's only natural

> that then then she does it the autistic way, since

> those are enjoyable activities.

> Heck, Im almost 22 and I STILL line things up. I have

> about 60 trophies that I can arrange for HOURS. It

> doesnt HURT anything.

>

> Kassiane