So… What IS Autism…..? Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong developmental disabilities characterised by marked difficulties in SOCIAL INTERACTIONS and SOCIAL COMMUNICATION, and RESTRICTED and REPETATIVE INTERESTS and BEHAVIOURS. At the moment there is no definitive “this” or “lack of that” that defines autism. There are no blood tests, no single defining symptom and no physical characteristics that are unique to autism, so clinicians must use careful observation of behaviours to determine whether a child’s difficulties are related to autism, or are better described by another condition. How did Autism come into my life?? The current popular belief is that there is a genetic pre-disposition to autism, and that an environmental factor triggers it....for me, this would be having an electric shock pass through my body when I was 5 months pregnant. Sid has ALWAYS been autistic. From the day he came home from hospital he was routine...he loves his routine, which worked fantastically well for me :) Many of Sids early behaviours were easily excused as first child or just like you just like me....there were things from a very early age that didnt quite seem normal... and as he got older and we began to see the language delay, he gradually stopped eating, severe temper-tantrums that could not be interrupted, repetitive behavours, and fixations....thats when I needed to know.... I needed to know what I needed to do for my son, and HOW to help him... 5 years ago, Sidney was diagnosed with an Autistic Disorder, and we were sent on our way with a bag full of pamphlets and assured that we know our son best.... For 5 years Ive been studying, Ive been studying my amazing boy, Ive been learning him and learning from him.... It has been wild ride, some amazing highs and some incredibly low lows...friendships gone, social awkwardness is my new state of permience, many of the things that I was brought up to value, are completely insignificant in our lives.... Through out this month (even more so than usual) I will be sharing some candid realities of my life. I can not speak for Sid, but I will share my observations of him :) as I endeavour to share the awareness.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 19:29:41 +0000