Autism??

[drystonepaul]

You could do a web search for an Autism Quotient or AQ test. There's one here for example: --> http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html
Unfortunately this one isn't really designed to be completed by young children, but there are a few more appropriate ones out there too.

However these are purely guideline tests and can't substitute for the input of a specialist.

 

[Jimmy oldskool]

Hi fella,

Our 7 year old son, Cameron, has Asperger's and as a parent, I know how it feels to be in denial towards your childs condition, so I would approach the subject very carefully and in a way that shows that you only have your Nephew's well being in mind.

Once that mountain has been climbed, it would be good to get him properly diagnosed, it's not a process that is at all taxing or stressful for the child, in fact, when Cameron was diagnosed, the process was treated like a game and he quite enjoyed it!

The diagnosis will not only provide your family with a reason for your Nephew's behaviour but allow them to understand, make allowances for and be better prepared for any outbursts etc as he gets older.

I notice that you're in the States, so obviously things will be very different, however when Cameron was statemented it also provided the educational authorities in his small village school, greater funding and further help with Cam's educational needs.........ironically, his condition means that academically, he's way in front of his peers in both literacy and numeracy.......he just doesn't want to play with them come play time!

We found the studies of Dr Tony Attwood very informative, he is a leading authority on Asperger's Syndrome. His books are readily available from Amazon etc, but to be honest, the first step is going to be speaking to your Nephew's parents, then having him diagnosed.

Sorry to ramble on, but I hope some of it has been helpful.

 

[highlandsflyer]

...and smells his food

On a lighter note, that is actually perfectly normal outside of the USA.

 

[gsy971]

...and smells his food

On a lighter note, that is actually perfectly normal outside of the USA.

i mean really digs is face in there and takes some k9 wiffs. the dude is freaky. skinny, pale, with zits. smart guy though

 

[highlandsflyer]

Are you talking about Bill Gates?

 

[gsy971]

its almost the same here in the USA as it is in the UK. Of course state by state things vary but it seems almost the same. yes, after in elementary school years they get special classes and stuff.

what i also failed to mention is the state we live in has an "early intervention" program where toddlers age 2-3 or so go through developmental assessments by professionals hired by the state. kind of like fun and games to judge whether the child may have special needs as another poster put it. our son went through it on request of my wife (although i didn't think it was necessary for my son). so my in-laws did the same with my nephew. for some reason they kind of blew him through just kind of shrugging their shoulders and saying "it will come". the person who worked with my son was really good but for some reason my nephew's teacher IMO and my wife's opinion was a complete waste.

this was very discouraging and irritating as well. the more and more i think about this the more and more i get a little more mad because of how everyone is treating the situation and the little guy will be the one to suffer.

i also mentioned earlier that my inlaws (sister-in-law, brother-in-law, father in law and mother inlaw) all treat him like a baby and don't really try to let him grow as a child. up until age 3 he was still sleeping in a bundle the kind used for infants and still sleeping in a crib with a cover so he can't crawl out. he is still always carried a lot and people treat him like a baby talking to him in baby talk. he can't walk five steps without being called back or grabbed back to stay in an area. he is never allowed to try and do things on his own like change his clothes, brush teeth, use poty, eat on his own, or try to do any other things to help himself develop.
everyone insists on still treating him like he is 1 yr old

 

[dyna-ti]

In this country the autistic get thrown from pillar to post ,being forced to endure government programs that cause more problems than they solve.




Just leave us the Fk alone


The online test is a load of dingos kidneys
The real test takes months to complete,has about 200 pages of criteria for diagnosis and they also need evidence from early childhood behaviour from medical records,school records and from the parents.

 

[gsy971]

Are you talking about Bill Gates?

isnt BG married?
this guy though... not sure what team he plays for

 

[Ernie]

Indeed, I've done a fair bit of work with autistic young people over the years too and I think it's widely accepted that most men will find that they are somewhere on the autistic spectrum.
Autism is linked to the male Y chromosome which accounts for why it's much more common in males than in females.

so any advice here? again this is my nephew and not my kid. i am at a crossroads on whether or not to bring it up with my in-laws.

from what i describe above, generally speaking how do you see this?

I must point out that i have no experience with having a friend or close relative with autism..this is to me just friendly and common sense advice.{hope that makes sense}

Yes bud i would bring this up with the inlaws.. :roll: my parents are a bit like that :roll: ...a few things have gone on in my family..they dont talk about certain things..they bury their heads in the sand hoping it will go away..but it just bubbles under the surface..as this is with you and your good lady wife

you have asked a very important question about a loved one to us/members on here who are unkown to you for advice..this shows how concerned you are..

I dont know how you all get together every weekend for sunday dinner?? or regular meets..i would speak to the inlaws they are the "head" of that side of the family..tell how you feel..they might get angry with you..but it takes what we call "grow a pair" to stand up and be counted, which you are prepard to do

All you can do is tell them what you think and why..after your concerns are discussed with them they will see on "reflection" that you are only looking out/concerned for you nephew.

All the best bud

Ernie

 

[cyfa2809]

yeah thinking about it, ernie is right

bring it up with them and if the choose to shun it then thats their fault for not being adult enough
at least then, you tried

his welfare is potenitally at stake here