DAY TWENTY-THREE   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world? Where to look for HELP?   UNDER... “Who May Help?" You want to understand about CAMs. < My Thoughts >    “…understand about CAMs.”   Approach all of these Complementary & Alternative Medicine treatments with CAUTION. None have been approved for use for children and/or adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and could be life threatening. I offer this only as an attempt to give you some information as to what you may hear or s ..read more

DAY TWENTY-TWO   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world? Where to look for HELP?   Note: Luker, S. (2024). Read more about CAMs in UNIT 7 – 3  OTHER PROGRAMS, THERAPIES, APPROACHES: MEDICATION & DIETARY APPROACH Section 3: CAMs When trying to get to know the child behind the autism, understand that s/he may be showing symptoms of more than one problem, challenge, or disorder. Prioritize your child’s concerning behavior. Is s/he refusing to eat to the degree that it is becoming life threatening? Is s ..read more

DAY TWENTY      What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world? Where to look for HELP?   Note: Read more about Who May Help in UNIT 7, SECTION 1 – WHO MAY HELP US? OTHER THERAPIES; ABA, CBT, DIR/Floortime, OT, PECS   The following THERAPIES (ABA, CBT, DIR/Floortime, OT, PECS) are described without intent, or suggestion of status or effectiveness.  INTRODUCTION to ‘OTHER’ THERAPIES; ABA, CBT, DIR/Floortime, OT, PECS   Therapies are often used in conjunction with other programs. Parents often engage in t ..read more

DAY NINETEEN   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world? Where to look for HELP?   UNIT 7 – 0   Who May Help? INTRODUCTION (UNIT 7 – 0)  CHAPTER 1 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS & THERAPIES ​Luker, S. (2024) Who May Help? Getting ‘help’ for the child with autism is the key. Learning about who may help. Finding, or deciding on an intervention, therapy, program, and/or treatment program being offered to your child can be somewhat overwhelming. Then, there are all the things that you and your child will be subjec ..read more

​DAY SIXTEEN   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world?   MORE SENSORY (Continued)   More CONCERNS about how ‘quirky’ behavior may be triggered by a ‘sensory’ moment – ​Stevens, C. & Stevens, N. (2011) 17%  When we got home (from taking my older son James to the nursery) I chose the video Postman Pat for David, while I would take a quick shower…it wasn’t as if he could get out of the house. He was just a baby. David wasn’t there. Calling to him was pointless… Out the door, with my arms folded across m ..read more

​DAY FOURTEEN   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world? ​Senator, S. (2006) 7%  During Nat’s first week, I did express a few misgivings about the way he world throw up his hands at the slightest jostling or sound. “Why does he do that?” I asked my sister. It was easier asking her, a med student, than calling the pediatrician, whom I felt I was already calling too much.   That’s his startle reflex,” Laura explained. “Infants have that to protect themselves, to let them know something’s around.” But why did he do it so o ..read more

DAY THIRTEEN   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world? SENSORY ISSUES Damon, L. (2012) 6%  At the top of the common issues pyramid is sensory information. Sensory information can get skewed when autistic kids receive it, so background noise that we would never notice, like an airplane flying overhead or the neighbor mowing his lawn two houses down, can literally cause painful sensations, as can textures of clothing or certain food tastes. The sour piece of candy that made your face pucker a little bit can be painf ..read more

April is Autism Awareness Month - DAY TWELVE  DAY12   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world?   One may say that having ‘unusual’ behavior being ignored is the most concerning. Having physician and family excuse unwanted behavior by saying, this child… “Will get over it…”, “Is going through a phase…”, or. “Has a mental deficiency…”, can be destructive to the child’s overall development.   My hope here is to attempt an explanation of how complicated and every changing the autistic brain can be, by comparing it to an ..read more

DAY ELEVEN   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world? Today, let’s take another small detour because once again, Autism Self-Testing is trending. I thought perhaps you would like to explore this matter. ​Luker, S. (2024) website HOME Page; find these UNITS on MENU page. (Additional Reference) Know Autism – Know Your Child: with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker  2023 UNIT 2 – Why Is It Autism?      UNIT 2 – INTRODUCTION      UNIT 2 – CHAPTER 1 – Diagnosis & DSM-5 Diagnostic ..read more

DAY TEN   What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world?   At this point in the BLOG, let’s go back to ‘symptoms’, how to recognize them, and how to prioritize them. Often, with girls, the symptoms may be confusing.   Luker, S. (2024) website HOME Page. “Prioritize your child's 'needs' and your 'wants'. Try teaching your child age appropriate 'developmental skills' that are non-invasive. See what works and what doesn't. This will help you when eventually, you will have to choose from available programs, therapies, and services ..read more