Topic : Are you a parent of a child with High -Functioning Autism,

 Hi, I am a mom that lives in Fayetteville, NC.  I have identical twin boys that have high functioning autism.  During the pregnancy the boys were diagnosed with twin to twin transfusion syndrome( that is when the twins share blood vessels on the placenta and one of the babies are not getting enough blood).  At 18 weeks we had to fly down to Tampa,Florida and have surgery to correct the problem.  We were within 24 hours of loosing Aaron but the surgery corrected the problem.  They were born 8 Weeks early so we have always been behind in their development.  My pediatrician started to notice that there were some issues with the boys early so we have always been aware that there issues. We  were diagnosed with autism when they were 37 months old.    The problem now is the boys are so high functioning that they do not qualify for therapies with the school but they can not function in "normal" society.    It was recommended for me to home school the boys not only because of their autism problems but also for their allergies which are so bad that the things that they are allergic to will kill them.  I am frustrated because  there are problems with our school systems that will not support our children with issues expect put them in "special ed". I just frustrated with everything except my children.  I would never change them because I am a better person because of them.

I am a parent with HFA. I also wasn't able to get a good diagnosis. The specialist he had seen over the years said he was Mildly Mentally Handicapped with a communication disorder. He was 4. No matter who we went to all went to support this diagnosis. In 2004 I had a rude awakening. My son was highly verbal and I believed at a point where he could help me watch 3 girl, ages 8,5,4. They were to be here one hour, but they were here for three. I found out when I returned home from a scheduled meeting that our lifes were going to be on a journey of a lifetime. It seems the girls were bored and my son was trying to entertain them. He pu a movie they liked on but nothing worked. They were bouncing off the walls. He asked them if they want to play Monopoly or Sorry and one of the girls said lets play house. They began to role play and the 5 year old said lets play doctor. She proceeded to take off her clothes and my son 13 at the time fondled her and penetrated her vagina with his index finger. The girl began to cry and the older sister called her grandmother and told her my son hurt her. That's when I walked in to discover everyone crying and I couldn't find their mother. I had to call the police and explain I put my son in charge for an hour. I had no idea they were ther for 3. The case went before a judge and my son was put on a suicide watch for 72 hours. It took 6 months to get to court. They had him evaluated because he told the detective he thought the young girls vagina was avenus fly trap and he wanted to see if it would bite him. I did not know what to think. After 10 days in hospital treatment intensive research was done and they told me he had Aspberger Syndrome-High Functioning. It was a HUGE relief because we know knew what to call it and actively work with him. The courts put him in a sex abuse program for offenders. The therapist were quick to see his differences and tailored his program so he wasn't further traumatized. He now understands do not touch other peoples private parts. Its been about 4 years and all is good. We are now training him in independent skills and pushing him forward with his education. He currently is on track to get a diploma from high school. Our biggest obstacle is his younger brother. Fifteen now and just doesn't give brother many breaks. I know its hard but its not like his older brother is doing things on purpose. My son is impulsive and doesn't understand social cues. I tell his younger brother you got to give him a break. Any suggestions? I NEED HELP!!!!

I have a son who will be 10 tomorrow who is high functioning autistic.  He was mainstreamed in the 1st grade (he is now in 3rd).  He did go through 1st grade twice to help him be more on grade level as he was behind and we knew it would just get worse the older he got.

He is doing much better now.  We do still have issues at school, as in there are days when he doesn't want to do his work and basically just day dreams all day while playing with his pencil.

 

We have tried stratera in the liquid form - it was too bitter for him to swallow and made him throw up.  We are now on a patch which does work wonders.  The only downer from it is that is does cause a minor skin reaction on the application site.  I have also noticed that of an evening when he has worn it that day he has bad mood swings and is very angry.  But I figure that this is just a side effect that I am going to have to live with at least for now till he learns to swallow pills.