Hello, My brother will be six in September and has Autism. My brother is a very happy kid that is always running around and playing, but he does not talk. Even though he does not talk, he is well aware of his surroundings and knows how to get things he wants. For example, if he wants to go outside, He will put on his sandals and go find me and pull me to the door as a sign he wants to go outside. If he wants a chocolate, he will pull me to the kitchen and pull my arm in the direction of the chocolates. He also likes to watch mario 64 videos on youtube, he will pull us to the computer if he wants to watch. He also makes plenty of eye contact and knows who is who in our house and will come up to everyone and give them kisses on the cheek. He also seems very social as he is always trying to play with us and laughing and jumping around. Even though he does not talk, he babbles and hums (mostly babbles) non stop. Is the babbling a sign that he could talk soon? he mostly babbles things like babababa or dwawawai or mamama. Does anyone have any experience with this?
almost 6, Autistic Brother
- Thread starter wwe101
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I don't, but I just wanted to redirect you to a community filled with people who could possibly help: www.reddit.com/r/autism
[quote name='Scorch']I don't, but I just wanted to redirect you to a community filled with people who could possibly help: www.reddit.com/r/autism[/QUOTE]
Reddit can be a good start. Just generally try Google-ing some autism forums and groups online. No offense to CAGs, who I'm sure many have had autistic persons in their lives or who work or study autism, but a video game forum probably isn't going to get you the best results.
Reddit can be a good start. Just generally try Google-ing some autism forums and groups online. No offense to CAGs, who I'm sure many have had autistic persons in their lives or who work or study autism, but a video game forum probably isn't going to get you the best results.
pacifickarma
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[quote name='kodave'] No offense to CAGs, who I'm sure many have had autistic persons in their lives or who work or study autism, but a video game forum probably isn't going to get you the best results.[/QUOTE]
CAG is a fantastic place to get relationship or legal advice, but not medical advice. The reason? "Sticking it in the pooper" and "throwing glitter on it" are rarely prescribed by MDs.
CAG is a fantastic place to get relationship or legal advice, but not medical advice. The reason? "Sticking it in the pooper" and "throwing glitter on it" are rarely prescribed by MDs.
I have two sons with autism. One will be 7 next month and the other will be 6 in December. The autism spectrum is so big that you cannot really get a definite answer to your question. My two sons that have autism, are total opposites, yet they both have autism. They both were late talkers (not as late as your brother). My oldest said his first word when he was about 2 and then became very echolalic (tends to repeat a lot of what he hears around him, lines from tv shows, etc). My 5 year old did not say his first word until he was about 3.5/4yo. He was a totally different ball game which I will not share publicly here, but you can PM if you want to know his story. My boys have had ABA therapy, Speech therapy, Occupational Therapy, Tomatis Therapy.... everything. LOL But what I did learn from asking this question when they were younger is, that babbling comes first, then singles words, then once they have about 50 words, they can start to string to two words, then it expands from there, sometimes into echolalia and then into spontaneous speech. it does NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN this way. Kids with autism have to be taught to do things kids just pick up naturally. My 3 year old AMAZES me with the way he learns. Its crazy to see the difference in development autism vs. typical. Anyway, have you ever heard of PECS? (Picture Exchanged Communication System). This can help your brother communicate and help reinforce the labeling of day to day items and activities. We used PECS for my 5 year old. Anyway, with autism it really is a guessing game. If you have any questions about anything I said, you are welcome to PM me. Everything has been trial and error with my boys, I am just your average mom.
my 2nd job in the US was working in group homes for developmentally disabled adults. We had one house that was basically 15 clients with broad spectrum autism. Everything from fully functional to darn near comatose with motor skills. Like season says, it really comes down to the individual and it's hard to peg autism as the condition itself is a catchall term and isn't even remotely well understood yet.
I would suggest some basic sign language if you haven't tried that yet. It's entirely possible that your brother understands language but the synapses for speech simply aren't firing properly. Start with help, please, thank you, hello, yes, no, etc... Just some very basic stuff. While you've established "wants" from his actions and that's good, try to bring it up a step and establish some non-verbal communication methods. The key thing is that when communicating to him use sign AND speak at the same time. This will make the connection that he's using words when signing.
Going against what I stated early about autism being very individual, one thing I've noticed is that it's all about tolerance for stimulation. Your brother may be overwhelmed when forming words in his head and that's why he's non-verbal. Do things to draw attention to what you want from him. Want him to sign? Hold your hands up to cue him for that. Want him to listen to what you're saying? Tug your ear to cue him to listen. Establish these routines and then slowly work in the notion of speaking. Touch your lips (well maybe not as then can be the "shush" motion), or point to your mouth from the side and move your mouth to cue him that you want that from him.
Just keep in mind that it's a slow, painful and frustrating process.
I would suggest some basic sign language if you haven't tried that yet. It's entirely possible that your brother understands language but the synapses for speech simply aren't firing properly. Start with help, please, thank you, hello, yes, no, etc... Just some very basic stuff. While you've established "wants" from his actions and that's good, try to bring it up a step and establish some non-verbal communication methods. The key thing is that when communicating to him use sign AND speak at the same time. This will make the connection that he's using words when signing.
Going against what I stated early about autism being very individual, one thing I've noticed is that it's all about tolerance for stimulation. Your brother may be overwhelmed when forming words in his head and that's why he's non-verbal. Do things to draw attention to what you want from him. Want him to sign? Hold your hands up to cue him for that. Want him to listen to what you're saying? Tug your ear to cue him to listen. Establish these routines and then slowly work in the notion of speaking. Touch your lips (well maybe not as then can be the "shush" motion), or point to your mouth from the side and move your mouth to cue him that you want that from him.
Just keep in mind that it's a slow, painful and frustrating process.
eldergamer
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It's a -broad- spectrum. My 7 year old is ASD/ADD. He speaks but not much beyond 2-3 word sentences. There's alot of echolation and he'll repeat whole scenes from his favorite shows.
Most of his stimulation issues have faded over the past years.
But really, if this kid is your brother and you live at home with him; why not ask your parents about his behavior and needs as they're probably FAR more aware of his issues and problems than nerds on a video game forum.
Most of his stimulation issues have faded over the past years.
But really, if this kid is your brother and you live at home with him; why not ask your parents about his behavior and needs as they're probably FAR more aware of his issues and problems than nerds on a video game forum.
crystalklear64
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You should see if he would enjoy playing Minecraft.
[quote name='Scorch']I don't, but I just wanted to redirect you to a community filled with people who could possibly help: www.reddit.com/r/autism[/QUOTE]
That would probably make him even more autistic. I'd say give him old train schedules he can memorize and embrace the madness.
That would probably make him even more autistic. I'd say give him old train schedules he can memorize and embrace the madness.
Duo_Maxwell
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I have to agree with other members that while gathering knowledge from the experience of others is always good, the knowledge from a forum like our will be somewhat limited. Also like others have said it is an an extremely broad spectrum that continues to be research and ever changing.
I'd try to seek out advocacy & support groups if you have questions on the disorderand how it affects kids your brother's age. Autism Speaks is the largest I know of. And with a little digging on google I'm confident there are local organizations in your area. We have 2 very good ones here where I live for example. Also, I do know my company has partnered with the Autism Science Foundation as well. While they are largely focused on the research of the disorder, they have some very useful info online and I still think they actually do a monthly chat where family members and so forth can have a live chat online with some of the doctors & scientists doing some of the research as well.
I'd try to seek out advocacy & support groups if you have questions on the disorderand how it affects kids your brother's age. Autism Speaks is the largest I know of. And with a little digging on google I'm confident there are local organizations in your area. We have 2 very good ones here where I live for example. Also, I do know my company has partnered with the Autism Science Foundation as well. While they are largely focused on the research of the disorder, they have some very useful info online and I still think they actually do a monthly chat where family members and so forth can have a live chat online with some of the doctors & scientists doing some of the research as well.
bread's done