Rick Badie / My Opinion

By Pam

April 17, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

Thanks for addressing this Rick.

By crysco

April 17, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

I am alternatively pleased and dismayed at the recent media coverage of autism spectrum disorder. Little research has been done on this devasting and debilitating disorder. My 6 yr. old was diagnosed on the spectrum when he was 3.5 yrs. old; however, I was met w/ frustration whenever I tried to address my concerns w/ his pediatrician. You see, my son is very high functioning, displaying marked intelligence and no discernable developemental delays as a baby or toddler (Aspergers). He recognized letters and numbers b/f the age of 1 years, walked on time, and talked on time. However, his speech regressed by age 3, he had difficulties transitioning, he was obsessed w/ trains,recited whole disney movie passages, sometimes would not respond to his name, and also a very picky eater. Doctor’s just chalked it up to being a 2 yr. old boy (i.e., boys may stop talking due to concentration in motor skills; all two yr. olds are difficult, etc.) Persistance paid off and I finally received some answers after his being evaluated at the Marcus Institute. Michael received speech therapy, occupational therapy and social skills therapy, My son is now 6 and has excellent communication skills and although he sometimes needs to be reminded about “recipricle conversation (i.e., when someone says hello, you respond w/ hi or simpy wave), he is able to be mainstreamed in school. We are blessed that he is doing well in 1st grade, partly b/c of early intervention,b/c he does not suffer from intellectual deficits, and b/c of a great teachers (so far, crossing my fingers). Hopefully, with the walk and the media focus, more research can be done to help children already afflicted as well as to prevent the increase.

By CJP

April 17, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

*Rick, Pam & crysco, *: I enjoyed reading your comments. My 8-year-old son was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s. Since he was 3 we knew something was different. He showed remarkable intelligence but was severely socially deficient. He was diagnosed as ADD at 5. He began taking medication and we have had him in an excellent therapy/ special ed program that has worked wonders. He was fully mainstreamed last school year and continues to do amazingly well in academics and is gifted program this year. However, his social skills and sensory perceptions are still lacking. We were blessed with a new & amazing child psychologist who diagnosed Asperger’s. I had never heard of it but, within a week, I had read numerous books about the disorder and my son is a textbook case. I am looking forward to learning new ways to help my child develop, thrive & grow. He is truly a special boy and I am so proud of him.

By crysco

April 17, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

CJP:

Our children are indeed very interesting, challenging, and enjoyable. I too am amazed at all the progress my son has made. Social skills are also a problem w/ my son in that although he deeply wants to make friends, he just doesn’t seem to know how. At six he is totally enthralled with coins and facts about U.S. Presidents - not typical 6 yr. old conversation. Maybe he’ll be a history professor ;0) Does your son attend public or private school? My son attends a public school, but the school has a whole resource class devoted to high functioning autism - Aspergers and PDD-NOS. This surely attests to the high rate of children w/ this disorder.

By CJP

April 17, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

crysco:

Our son attends public schools- all of which have had wonderful programs as well. We were in Gwinnett County. His issues began in pre-school. He went through an arena evaluation at the Buice center at the end of pre-k. He was in a self-contained EBD class in K & 1st. He began mainstreaming part of the day in 1st grade and was fully mainstreamed in 2nd grade (still in Gwinnett). We moved to Jackson County over the summer and he is now in 3rd grade in a public school here. We are fortunate that we are in a very small school (less tan 400 kids) and they have amazing resources available. Plus he has an amazing teacher!! I’m going to miss her in 4th grade! He recently began sensory therapy and so far-so good. I’ve learned a lot as well. Grounding him never seemed to work, now I know why. I am trying to put more focus on the positive and set positive goals for him and use his “not-so-good” behavior as a talking point, rather than grounding him. I still lose my patience from time-to-time but I am more confident than ever. It was truly a relief to be able to put a name to it (Asperger’s) and start learning tools to move forward.

My son also wants to make friends, but just can’t seem to do it. It breaks my heart. He sees his 6-year-old sister coming and going with friends, birthday parties, etc and he feels left out (unfortunately he is the ONLY boy on our street, so the girls don’t want to play with him anyway). I let him play with them sometimes but I constantly worry that he is not handling it well. I hate having to keep such a short leash on him but it gets a little longer everyday!

We did put him in Cub Scouts and my husband signed up to be the assistant den leader to help keep an eye on him. That has helped because he has others to play with and I was amazed to meet several other scouts who are very similar to my son. I can’t say he has easily made lots of friends but he does have 2 or 3 boys he identifies with and can get along with an hour or two a week. Plus, there is always something fascinating going on so it occupies his mind (he knows everything about every type of snake in the world so exploring is fun for him). He is super-excited about a camping trip this weekend and I am super excited for him!

Sorry- I am rambling. This is like a mini-support group!! I’ll stop now.

By mogrammy

April 17, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

People of Atlanta, Don’t walk to give your money to Autism Speaks. It does NOT speak for your children. It’s a national organization with no local roots-your children will never be helped by them. They have aligned themselvbes with Big Pharma and will never do the research your children need to be recovered. In Augusta, Ga, we have a Walk for Autism every year and raise almost $100,000 and our local children(about 30 families) split the money for ABA or RDI services. Be smart-do your own walk and raise the money for your children to use now.

By DAWGTN

April 17, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

vaccinations

By crysco

April 17, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

CJP:

Mini-support group is so right. My Husband and extended family still have a hard time understanding and excepting the diagnosis. Any extra support is always great! I’m going to check out Boys Scouts as well. Great opp. for son to meet other kids and concentrate on paraticular interest w/o others finding it strange

By CJP

April 17, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

crysco:

Good luck with your son. I highly recommend Scouts. My son really wanted to be a part of a group but I knew that team sports would not be his cup of tea (he’s very lanky/ clumsy as well). He really enjoys it. It makes me feel good to know someone else out there understands! I am fortunate that my family/ extended family are all very supportive and understanding but I know what its like for someone to not understand or think that my kid is just “bad” or that I am not doing my job as a parent.

The good news is that children with Asperger’s or other high-functioning autism-spectrum disorders usually grow up to be very successful, contributing members of society. I always say my son’s brain moves faster than his mouth/ body can process!

To other parents out there who have noticed hints, actions or behaviors that worry you, my advice is to talk to their teacher, counselor and/ or pediatrician. If they argue your feelings with you move onto someone else. If your child is diagnosed please do not think it’s the end of the world- it is not! In fact, finally finding a reason enables you to move forward (and get some sleep!). You are privileged to be a parent of an exceptional child. You, your child and your family may not understand immediately but there are those of us who do.

By jimsmom

April 17, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Yes, yes, yes. You are all echoing my experience with my 10 year old. Fortunately, our pediatrician is AWESOME, and we were in speech by the time he was 4. Further evaluations brought the high functioning autism diagnosis. He has been at the same public school since kindergaten, and I could not be more please with his team. He is mainstream with special-ed inclusion and gifted programs. We had the incredible good fortune of his 3rd grade teacher and class looping together to fourth grade, and that really cut down on the first-of-the-school-year transition issues.

If you have a YMCA, please check out the Adventure Guides program. This program is for Father/child or Mother/child and the parents are always with the kids—no dropping off and picking up. My son has a fabulous support group because not only do the kids accept him, but their dads are always there and they understand too. Plus, it has been great for my husband to have quality “guy time” with like-minded fathers and our son.

I continue to do plenty of advocating at my son’s school on his behalf. The wonderful special-ed teacher just taught me the term “executive function deficit.” This accurately described my son’s difficulties with organization and following multiple directions. This information was shared with his other main teachers, who took it to heart and implemented some changes that have helped. Thank you to all the great teachers at EVES!! —Sherry

By Karen

April 17, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

I have a beautiful son who is 7. I was completely blown off by my pediatrician when he was over 2 and still not talking. Not to mention other less savory behaviors developing, like screaming and poop smearing. Later after testing at an out of state DAN doctor he was found to be Mercury poisoned by vaccines. Over 200X the level deemed safe by the EPA. My doctor swore it was no longer in the shots which is not true. It is is still in the flu shot and has not been banned. Thimerosal is a preservative and 49% Mercury. It should never have been put in INFANT vaccines. Upon researching lot numbers it was in my child’s DTap,HIB and HepB. Fortunately, we were able to get some help removing the mercury with chelation therapy and he is recoverying nicely. But it has been a long hard road back. He has not had one psyche drug and the crazed behavior is gone. I encourage all parents to have their children porphyrin tested for Mercury. Read the labels on all the vaccine inserts and question your doctor. I wish I did. I have completely lost faith in the vaccination system. It has no checks and balances. You can’t even sue anyone if something goes wrong. It has cost us over 100K to undo vaccine damage. To add insult to injury doctors won’t own up to it as the Autism numbers climb. 1 in 150 kids 1 in 60 boys. Never in history has their been a genetic epidemic and never in history have we vaccined so much with dangerous chemicals like Thimerosal. No mystery here, my little guys brain could not handle all that toxic Mercury.

By Tim

April 17, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Where are the autistic adults?

By Tim

April 17, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Where are the autistic adults?

By Reader

April 17, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Tim, I have a 47 year old brother in law whom my husband and I have diagnosed as having Aspergers (I’m sorry to crysco — this is probably one of the things you find dismaying resulting from media attention).

I think many of us know someone who seems socially “off.” They often manage to function, if never thrive, because they are intelligent and have somehow developed coping skills. My BIL was in a field requiring him to be meticulous and work largely alone. When he left that, he was never able to settle down to anything else.

By GG

April 17, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

My sister’s son had a very hard time when he started kindergarten. The school psychologist observed him, while at the same time my sister took him to doctor’s to evaluate him. Both medical doctor’s diagnosed him as high functioning Asperberger’s Syndrome. The school said he was depressed. The school however, went by the medical diagnosis and enrolled him in Autism classes and speech therapy. He did remarkably well in maintstream classes with supplements of the specialty classes. When he was in 3rd grade the school reevaluated him and determined that he was no longer autistic so removed him from his special ed classes and left him completely mainstream. His 4th grade teacher was pretty bad and said that his parents were coddling him too much and that he needed to take responsibility for himself. Needless to say that year for a very bad school year. He is now in 5th grade and about to complete the school year with no special ed but he does still receive medication. This year has definitely improved but is still pretty rough. My sister tried to fight the school but they wanted him evaluated again and a new doctor evaluated him while he was medicated and decided that he was not autistic. The whole situation has been very frustrating when it is very clear all of his early development years show many of the early signs of Asperberger’s. So now he is a very quite child with no friends and mediocre grades. There should ne a better way to handle special needs kids. This is not even my child and I feel frustrated!

By Tori

April 17, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

Thank you soo much! My brother is in kyles class at walnut grove and he has the same problem as him, autism. Its horrible that not very many people understand or know about autism.I have 2 other little cousins with autism, one not very bad and then the other is really bad. Him and his mom have orgainzed a walk up in Chicago to raise money for autism.Me and my mom will be walking the georgia walk. so thank you agian.

By jimsmom

April 17, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

GG, Get on the web and google “executive function disorder.” It will not solve everything, but you will find information that proves to the teachers that this is NOT A MOTIVATIONAL PROBLEM!! When my son’s teachers started saying the “Take responsibility” stuff, it was because they were UNDERSTANDABLY frustrated. Once we all did some reserch into executive function, we discovered that “Sink or Swim” would not address his problems. He would’ve just sunk. Let me assure everyone, HE does HIS work, but there is more specific direction and checking in keeping with executive funciont disorder guidelines. On the internet there will be tips and suggestions. I offer this only as a starting place. Your nephew has my best wishes for a good outcome.

By MrLiberty

April 17, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Vaccines (and the thimerosol - mercury in them), pthalates in plastics, and tv. The more we ignore the possibilities the longer it is going to take to fix the problem.

Wake up folks. There is no way this disease got to 1 in 150 kids just because we can d8isgnose ig better. Something is wrong. Very wrong.

By Tim

April 17, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Well, I guess I’m autistic. I don’t feel any comfort knowing a name for my condition. Should i get on meds? I was happy before all this. I took great pride knowing I was creative, funny and didn’t worry about much. My days were consumed with bright sunshine and lackodasial pursuits. Now, everthing is ruined! Why can’t you accept me as I am? A happy slacker…

By Wendy

April 17, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Thank you for your article about the more subtle signs of autism. So many times people minimize the differences they see in their children or rationalize away what they are seeing…hoping that he or she will “grow out of it” or “catch up” - just as we did with our older son, who has very mild ASD. He was not diagnosed until 4 years of age. Our younger son, who has moderate symptoms, was diagnosed at 2. We lived in a small town at the time and our MD did not have experience with spectrum disorders.

Also, many people expect that all children on the spectrum experience a regression of abilities, which is not true. Neither of my children lost skills. Both of them had atypical skills or slowly developing skills. It is really important that families become aware of the signs of autism and get their children checked out early. Signs were present in my children at very, very young ages and we just did not know what was in front of us. Lack of eye contact was the first sign present in our home. Speech problems were evident in our older child, and lack of nearly all play skills/iinterest and not meeting developmental milestones were present in our younger son…

Both of our boys are doing really well in the Gwinnett Schools. Our boys got early intervention, the oldest received speech and OT at 4 through the local school system and continues to have services, and the younger received services through Babies Can’t Wait and then continues services with the local school system. He receives supplemental services after school as well.

With children being diagnosed at 1/150 or greater, and I feel it is greater than that, it is critical for families to know the signs.

By JustMe

April 17, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

Hmmm…first, there was ADD. It was followed in short order by ADHD. Throw a few years into the mix and parents are raising cane about the zombifying effects of medications used to treat these disorders and alleged over diagnosis.

Enter……AUTISM. The next great overlooked and ever-increasingly rampant reason behind a childs atypical behavior. Because everybody needs something to explain why their little Becky or Tommy isn’t the perfect little over-achieving, popularity contest winning, well-mannered angel that Mommy and Daddy expect him or her to be.

I’m not suggesting that none of your children, or the children upon whom such a diagnosis is placed is without this horrible condition. But 1 out of 150?!!??! Come on - how gullible are we? Consider the source. The CDC has had it’s share of bad publicity of late - this startling revelation appears to be a rather too timely means of damage control…..as for the AAP and the AMA, I’d look at them with a wary eye no matter what.

When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Just playing devil’s advocate here, folks.

By Paul Crumpler

April 17, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

There are different levels of “autism.” My son is 22 (yes, Autistic children do grow up.) Art cannot speak and has difficulty in almost every aspect of life. My boss’ son is 21 and is considered Autistic. He drives a car and goes to college. There is more than a subtle difference between these two young men. Not everyone that is Autistic is as severe. Some have essentially normal lives; others are not so lucky.

It is impossible for my son to live without assistance. There are no wonderful places for my son to live. I am not wealthy; the money I make goes to take care of my son. What will happen to him when I die? One would think that the wealth of this country could go to help those who have no ability to help themselves. Our government has failed us.

By JustMe

April 17, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

Paul, tell me exactly where on your birth certificate (presuming you were born in this country) it states that the government has promised you anything.

The Constitution of the United States promises the right to “life, liberty, and the persuit of hapiness”. Nowhere does it state “and to take care of any special needs children you may bear after your demise”

Get a grip! I’m sorry that your son will never live be able to live an independent life - but you’ve had 22 years to prepare for his future care…..it’s not like he was diagnosed as being autistic yesterday.

To make the statement “One would think that the wealth of this country could go to help those who have no ability to help themselves” just proves you to be a socialist liberal with an entitlement mentality as well as being uneducated, ill informed, and ignorant. Do your homework!

By Nikole

April 17, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

I wholeheartedly agree that our government, the richest in the world, should help those that cannot help themselves. How sad that some people think it is okay to watch those with mental or physical disabilities end up homeless because they don’t beleive in “entitlements”. Can JustMe even spell empathy? It’s about respecting and loving one another as HUMAN BEINGS. It’s about being blessed to be blessing to others. It’s about wanting the best for your fellow man no matter what situation they were born into.

By mogrammy

April 17, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Paul I am truly sorry about your son.This Just Me person is exactly that -Just Him- of no importance-just somebody that walks the earth without any compassion , without meaning-just here to take up space. We are best off ignoring these people with constant chips on their shoulder,. Maybe just me will just disappear. Meanwhile, I hope your son can get all the help he needs from you, from the government—- If you remember the government damaged all these children and young adults with their vaccines—-etc. , but if they don’t take responsibilioty for what they’ve done—-Just Me is gonna have to pay an awful lot of taxes by the time all these diagnosed children are adults. it’ll probalby break his bank account.

By JustMe

April 17, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

NiKole, you must be the boy’s mother, since you seem to be equally as uninformed on the subject as dear Paul is.

By Becky

April 18, 2007 6:29 AM | Link to this

I haven’t been officially diagnosed but I think I probably have Asperger Syndrome. I’m 51 and have always been a little different: very quiet, sensitive to just about everything, living a very rich inner life, not so interested in social things, having some mild OCD behaviors. I did well academically but never had a lot of ambition…at least not the traditional kind of big career, lots of material things, etc. I’ve always been more interested in art, literature, music, nature, languages, politics, psychology.

I have never married, have no children, have a great job and live alone, doing my own thing. I’m very happy. In fact, I’ve had a wonderful life!

By bouder88

April 18, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this

JustMe - in my culdesac in a large Gwinnett subdivision, their are two children down the street with autism, our son has autism, and the family behind us has 2 children with autism. That is five children within a 200 foot radius.

In addition, your comment above to the father on get a grip - it is because of insensitive jerks like you who make communities uglier than they are. He had 22 years to prepare??? Obviously you don’t know how much therapy is that depletes life savings. Have compassion first and gather all of the facts before you attack instead of the other way around. And yes, our nation is very blessed BECAUSE we take care of those in need first.

By JustMe

April 18, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

bouder88 - I thank you for your post. You have proved my point exactly - five children in a 200 ft radius? One word….over-diagnosis.

Secondly, you know nothing about what I may or may not know about therapy and the cost thereof. I’ll thank you to keep your (grossly inaccurate) assumtions to yourself.