RE: Re: McKenna and part-time autism

June 16, 2008

Hi,

I don't post very often but just wanted to comment on the " part-time "

autism. My Tony was very much like that at five and is still often like

that at nine. The clinic that diagnosed him with ASD even got into a bit of

a row about it. The evaluating psychologist said that because he looked

autistic one day but not the other, she could not give him an autism

diagnosis. The Clinic Director who is well known and very well respected in

these parts said that is exactly what autism is.

He still goes through periods when he clearly looks like a child with autism

and then other periods where he looks like a child with Down syndrome. It

drives us nuts because we never know for sure when we are making progress.

We also would like to understand what makes a good day (or week) " good " and

what makes a bad day " bad " . Both of my boys are gluten free and casein

free. Both of very physically active. I play close attention to when

either is getting overloaded. It is a mystery! I've come to accept that he

has high functioning autism and so it just isn't as noticeable on some days.

I do empathize with the confusion around " part-time " autism. When Tony is

in an " autistic mood " I really work Greenspan/floor time and other

strategies for engagement. It seems to work and it helps me deal with it

because then I know he is still there - just more difficult to reach.

Blessings!

Lori, mom to Isaac, age 11 and Tony, age 9 both with DS and high functioning

autism

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of darahsmommy

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 7:35 PM

To:

Subject: Re: Melt downs

Thanks Irma and Kim! Irma, you're a wealth of info! Kim, Darah's on

her 3rd set of tubes, and I will not let her go without them at least

through these preschool years! I think I just need to be very

consistent with giving her " breaks " and quiet times.

This is about to be the silliest question ever....Is it possible to

have " part-time " autism? I feel like I have two children. When Darah

is in these moods, she would easily be dx'd with autism...but in

between these moods, there's no way someone would think she had

autism...just had sensory issues. She's like two different

children..... ~McKenna

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