Aspergers/Autism/Sensory Integration Chatter #2

[~Saram~]

Hi all,

Mizzme, welcome!!! It is a daunting thing to confront at first but we have gotten a lot of comfort from our song diagnoises as it really gave us insight into what was going through his head IYKWIM. This is a great placce to vent and learn and get support!

Lestyrox - OMG - you sound just like me a few months ago! I love DS so much but watching Ari developed "normally" if I can use that word has blown my mind! All the toys that DS never touched have been USED! She plays, often by herself and is so independent.

Chirsty - sorry to hear abou the UTI and the surgery. Hope things are settling down for you.

Maz - HI! Hope you enjoyed our beautiful state :-)

Murraysmum - good luck with the move hun. We have moved a lot and their isn't really an easy way to do it, especially when they are so young. DH freaked out about the boxes too but he explained to us recently that it is because he didn't understand that they would all be coming with us. How you can explain that to them??? I don't know. We always tried to set up his room as close to the way it was - he was very particular about where things went. Good luck with the move.

us - hmmmm where to start... Xander has been quiet. In that some days it's taking an hour or more for him to respond to us. it is very unsettling, if you have ever met my DS you would understand he is a non-stop talker so the silence has got me worried. He is also very aware of being 'different' and left out at school which is breaking my heart and has started playing games with the other kids with him being the kid they beat up on just so he can participate. His answer when I asked if he enjoyed playing the game... "at least then I'm being included. Everyone wants to be included don't they"

We are haivng a lot of sensory issues head banging, smacking himslef and sister, punching and licking... we have cut his OT down to once a fortnight as we can't really afford to keep up once a week for... forever??? Thinking of getting a book I saw on the Sue Larkey website on sensory procesing routines at home. We got him a punching bag today which has been great he thumps is and tackes it rather then walls or me and we can use it to squash him and roll too so quite versatile!

Lulu - let me know if you want some books and stuff on sensory processing. Like Christy finding out about sensory processing was the biggest "ahhh" moment in our life! It has helped us deal and overcome a lot of his "autistic traits" like flapping, head banging beign disengaged etc.

On an up side - my gorgeous boy went to a shop himself the other day and bought us some donuts and a milkshake. I wa so proud of him!!! I was secretly hiding JIC but he was perfect and so proud of himself. He also read his first chapter book all by himself today 13chap in one day - whoa! We are on the hunt for some more books for him :-) Looking at a reading age of about 10 at the moment - I am stunned

[lestyrox]

Ok, so i don't want to open a can of worms by bringing this up, i know immunisation is a controversial topic especially for people whose kids are on the spectrum and i don't want to offend anyone or start a debate. I'm just after some advice and information really and i'm not sure where to get it.

Ok so DS2 is due for his 12month needles. I have been dreading them because i am really undecided about whether or not i want him to get them. I know it sounds stupid but with all the controvery around whether or not the MMRI shot triggers ASD, i am really nervous about DS2 getting it. TBH i am undecided on the topic BUT as i'm sure you would all understand, because DS1 is on the spectrum i am just super cautious IYKWIM.

I truly believe that DS1 was born with his traits and i don't think anything 'triggered' his ASD (well not outside the womb anyway) BUT i can't help wondering if the MMRI shot perhaps contributed to it? I don't know, like i said i'm really undecided. But it is interesting that after DS1 hit one (around the time he had the shot) something happened. He was always in a 'fog' but at one the tantrums started, and they weren't normal tanties..i mean full on crazy drop of a hat screaming fits. He wouldn't go a day without a meltdown. Like i said i don't know if the MMRI had anything to do with it, it could have just been that his little body was going through a huge developmental change and he couldn't cope with it. I do find even now that when he has a growth spurt he goes a bit nutty and we have a few bad weeks where he regresses.

Anyway so the reasonable part of me thinks that i should just give DS2 the shot, he's had the others and all was fine...but there is this horrible fear inside me and i can't bear the thought of something bad happening. I think a part of me would die inside if the shot triggered an underlying tendancy towards ASD. DS2 is developing normally and is very different to his brother at the same age. There is no 'fog' and its so beautiful to see him playing 'normally'. But i still can't help thinking 'what if'?.

Anyway so i'm wondering if there is a number i can call to get some info? I don't want info on whether or not the MMRI shot causes ASD, like i said thats a can of worms. But i would like some info on whether or not i can give him the other shots and leave out MMRI or if i can delay the shots until he's older and i've made up my mind... does anyone know where i can find this out?

Thank in advance

[Lulu]

Yep, I'm sure you can. You can delay as long as you like too. Have a look in the Vacc Research and Info for further bits and pieces about delayed schedules.
You can also conscientiously object (for now anyway) on the basis on medical issues.

[lestyrox]

Thanks LuLu. I had a look in the vaccination info forum...hmmmm very interesting. I'm still not sure what to do though.. i think i'll read up a bit more before a make a decision..his needles can wait for a bit right?

[~Saram~]

Lesty - I had the same conversation when DD was born and spoke to our dr about my concerns. i asked specifically if any studies had been done on families with a significant family history of autism/aspergers/autistic traits and the effect of vaccinations.

He said no there had not been conclusive evidence either way and he recommends most people to get the immunisation... HOWEVER he said with out family history (DS, SIL son and daughter and now other SIL son) that he would not get his child vaccinated if in that situation. That was enough for me. Having said that it concerns me not having DD vaccinatated but I feel more confident in my ability to treat any contagious disease rather than watch DD (who has no signs of autism) disappear into that world. IYKWIM. Good luck with your decision!

[murraysmum]

i asked my pead the same thing about this bub all he said was to see him when bub was due for them

[christy]

DD2 is not vaccinated.

I have so much to share... and yet its very hard to type out what we are going through atm... but its not all bad, just hard and exhausting!!! I will get back to this soon I promise!

[Lulu]

tell me about it!

Will try to get in 2morow xoxoxo

[lestyrox]

Thanks so much ladies I'd love to hear your experiences
I am thinking that i might just give him the hep b and the meningicochal (sorry bad spelling) and leave the MMR out....is that possible? I had a look through the vaccination posts and from what i've read it looks like it can be done.
How bad would it be if DS did get measles, mumps or rebella? My DH has had measles and he's ok...
I am strongly thinking i'll skip the MMR... and i think i'll skip DS1's second dose at 4yrs as well. It would just break my heart if the MMR triggered something in DS2 or if the second dose for DS1 at 4yrs made him sink further into the fog IYKWIM.

[barbie-up]

I think mumps in an adult male can effect their fertility and I believe it is a lot more painful as it affects more areas.

I think Rubella has something to do with deafness and brain damage for women who are pregnant if they come in contact with someone with it.


Having said that, my Alex is due for his 4yo jabs as of today and I am a bit wary of them.