Autism and it's World - Recently Updated Pages

Tactile Defensiveness

KED — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:19:37 CST

My book available here:
http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1
http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/resources/books.php
This page contains: clothing & seams, food textures & swallowing, and hair cuts.

Clothing & Seams

Clothing seams are like putting on sandpaper: they are unbearable

Q--So what do I do about my child being able to wear shoes and socks?

1. There are a couple of seamless socks that I have personally ordered myself.... www.striderite.com : Type in socks comfort seam and the socks should come up. Also in ADULT SIZES too!!

2. For completely seam-free socks, although I must say the ones from stride-rite will work for most kids and adults on the spectrum, there is this site. (Don't know the material difference though :/ It is... http://www.sensorycomfort.com/Clothing.htm

3. If your toddler or baby is fussing all the time when she/has their diaper on, try taking it off and see if he/she stops fussing...then try it back on...and do this several times. This may indicate extreme discomfort of the diaper or underwear material. There are several kind like the ones shown below if you are in need of trying different ones... (These pictures and different material diapers are from http://greenmountaindiapers.com/)
By the way, Adorable Babies! ;)
These are called the snug-to-fit

This is actually a regular soft towel-type which is sometimes much better tolerated

These are a silk-cotton kind, also better tolerated; silk you can grow the baby into more adult or child silk underwear; a better transition.

It can mean the difference between a comfortable/happy baby w/out tactile defensiveness... or an upset/unhappy baby w/ tactile issues... which is both hard on the baby, toddler or child with autism and the parents.

4. It is important that these same cautions be taken with clothes...many of them have seems or different materials that wouldn't bother a person w/out autism, but with autism could result it screaming and crying and discomfort that feels unbearable.

SEAMS:

I guess lots of dresses or blouses have these seams and other people really don't notice them or they get used to them in a few minutes. This is just one example...It depends on your child, as some of them may need that.

For children and adult underwear:
Check www.jockey.com, and look at the Tactel material and Micro-fiber materials.

For Bras: I recommend "Maidenform bras" that are like silk and also have the Tactel material.

Food, textures, and swallowing

This little thing is a miracle worker--must have!

Great thing so that the tounge can sense when food is going to slide down the throat... and great for introducting new food textures. Wake up the mouth and throat!

DRINK a cold drink before meals to help wake up your throat also, and stops some of the tactile defensiveness in the throat that can cause a lot of gaging, etc.

Oral-motor feeding therapy is also wonderful!!

You can get the products above at http://specialkidszone.com/

To show you just how effective feeding therapy can be, below are two videos; the first of a little girl retching and not being able to keep her food in her while the second is her four weeks later into feeding therapy... the results are intense. For the first video I'd recommend starting to watch at 00:30 seconds. It is disturbing so not for the really lighthearted.

Autism and home safety--slides I created for visual explanation

KED — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:51:30 CST

My book available here: http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1

Important Update: LAYOUTS complete with all the 'equipment printed in' from me coming soon for those who are reading my book! (Includes all areas).

Also for the office or other area for blind cord gatherers, go to http://www.windowcoverings.org/howtorepair.html and you can get a free kit as well. The first part is confusing to read but the other pages help explain it better. It's important.

Adaptive Sensory

KED — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:49:57 CST

Attention all visitors

KED — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:33:12 CST

Hello everyone. First off, thanks for coming here.

On this page is where I will put important updates such as if a page is being edited or revised and so on. It will also let you know how I am doing personally. The updates will be listed as the first update you see being the newest with its date.

Hugs,
Kris
My book is available now through AutismSpeaks http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/resources/books.php

12/08/09 - Hello again. I got C-Diff again and had to go on Flagyl. I finally got rid of that. However, it left with some unpleasant effects and low immunity. I had to have steroids for my asthma and am now on Acetylcysteine, a sticky medicine used in a nebulizer or swallowed to break up mucus. I have a polyp in my throat so have to see an ENT, probably have it removed since causing so much trouble and don't know what is. So, I'll be having surgery I am not sure when to remove it and have it sent to pathology-yikes! I finally got the correct referall to go to a movement disorder specialist in our state, as my 'tics' have become out of control. Prayers much appreciated!

10/_/09 - I had C-Diff before, got out of the hospital and to a conference a couple days later. However, I've gotten C-Diff back again which is not good and has made it so that it was hard for me to get on the computer again for a while. My brother caught the H1N1 so everything has been chaos. Prayers appreciated and hope to get things back flowing here smoothly soon. PS: Going to see a movement disorders specialist soon!

08/03/09 - I have been in the hospital and out with bad Salmonella and food poisoning. Been very rough to say the least and will most likely have to be restested since the symptoms are still kind of lingering. Found out I am low in Iron so have to take Iron now as well!

06/21/09 - Still dealing with all this health stuff & may be having affects to levels changing in my body. AM working on putting back videos that got cut off accidentally on their pages when I was working with the Videos Tab. Happy Father's Day...

06/20/09 - I found out today that my Vitamin D levels are extremely low so have to take two prescriptions for a long amount of time. I am also deficient in Potassium although it is getting a little better so I will continue to be on the regimen I've been doing... Calcium was also low so I am on a prescription for that.

Service Dogs (Ssgi)

KED — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:19:58 CST

Movies About Autism, Aspergers and Savantism

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:34:40 CDT

To let you all know, all the movies can be watched on this page...you don't have to click on the link to view them :) (I think one of the links isn't working or something, but all of them play on this screen!) Kris

EMT's look at the clip under silent fall called, 'Voice Pitch Aversion'

My book available here:
http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1
http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/resources/books.php

1. Molly (Trailer: http://videodetective.com/titledetails.aspx?masterId=140354 ) very interesting...shows common symptoms! Very interesting scientific brain experiment; shows the autistic people know things even when they don't speak and it can be very upsetting to them.

Autism and Meltdowns: What it feels like, what happens and why.

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:27:11 CDT

My book available here: http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1

Why do meltdowns occur?

Autistic people as you may have already heard, get overstimulated: the lights, the noises, the movement of people walking all around, etc. Autistic people hear everything; the pens clicking, someones shoes scruffing on the floor, the voices, the lights actually hum, and even watches...I told my doctor once that her watch sounded like tin when it clicked and she had to hold it up to her ear and couldn't even hear it. The psychologist had done a hearing test on me...my hearing from the nerves in brain come as much louder, so someone talking can sound like someone yelling sometimes, as well. So how does it feel to be autistic when you are overstimulated? It feels like: 20 cologne smells (all people around you are wearing different things, etc. Autistics smell all of it), like hundred of kids running around you asking you questions in different languages, like you're sitting in a chair that is missing one leg and trying to balance it while all that is going on, and lights flickering...too much, hence why autistics have Meltdowns.

Starting meltdown w/ Autistic kid 'cause of overstimulation starts at 1:11 seconds on video below:
- Adorable kids and big family; its hard to take care of meltdowns w/ that many!

TIP: Take care of meltdowns right away or they can get to even worse like throwing things around, hitting, biting, etc.

Autism - My poem of the struggles, strengths, and beauties of having Autism - Great for parents

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:59:34 CDT

Autism and Love - for those wondering if autistics feel love, and parents and physical affection

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:51:41 CDT

Autism and Love

I know what some parents are saying about the struggle they have with some of their children that seem to be arching or running away from their affection... I really wanted to lift your spirits in knowing these things below:

People with an Autism Spectrum Disorder really DO know what love is, I think sometimes more than even others. Autism can have such at times complete peace and beauty that its like a little bit of heaven...hence Autism and the God Connection/ my animal connection theories. Just the bark on a tree or
running water or the howl of a wolf or the shimmering on a lake and dew on the grass in the morning creates a connection that is based on complete love. Your child, be happy and please be in complete peace in knowing that she/he knows love. And, that she/he loves YOU so much. Someone can tell by looking into a dogs or cats eyes that they love their owner/parents but sometimes they would rather just be next to or at least in the presence of them rather than in their arms or always licking them or being petted because the nerves under the skin are 5X more sensitive in their bodies and also in an Autistic persons' body (another similarity)... the touch can feel terrible, sometimes hurt, sometimes just send the wrong signal to the brain... Any kiss or hug you get is great, but know that just because she/he may run are arch away physically from you does not mean that in her heart she/he doesn't or isn't close to you, because she/he is -- there is no bond like a parents bond and caring-hearted people relationships (please remember this, and this goes even for an autistic child, although there has been terrible rumors otherwise)

Luv and hugs,
Kris

PS: See, I even just gave a hug! * *

Autism and PECS, Word Schedules, Sign Language, and Dynavox!

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:47:31 CDT

My book available here: http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1

This page contains info. on PECS, Word Schedules, and Sign Language... Dynavox at the end.
Example of my mini schedules that I carry around are below: (kinda blurry, sorry-low light + need new cam)

How to get them/get them started (2 ways)....

Here's one thing... take pictures w/ a digital camera, type in 1" or however many inch squares you want (Excel or do2learn --I think thats the site, I'll double check--) and paste the digital picture in the middle of the square and then size them down to the size of the square. You don't have to use squares if you have a general idea of how big you want them just by looking at the screen. It usually doesn't actually take too long. Just put pics on a notecard so they are more hard and not so floppy. Then laminate or have a place do it when you have what you need for a little while anyway (places don't charge too much for that at all like staples,etc...) and you can even charge to have them valcroed for not much more! Then just get however big plastic folder things and just make sure you have lines of velcro for the pictures to hook to. Mini schedules also help to eliminate more work than needed in some cases. Also, this site, http://specialkidszone.com/ they have tons of picture cards,

Home & Health Set
$19.95
Food Set
$19.95
Recreation/Leisure & Community Set
$19.95

And they also have the picture cards that talk, etc.!!

So are they good even if the person is verbal?

Absolutely...I even have mini schedules all over the house, just to remember to take my medicines, eat and use the bathroom from showering to brushing my teeth, to using my meds, flossing, etc. especially when autistic people get stuck on things. I just am completely lost and can be really stressed when I don't have a schedule...

So if verbal, pics or words?

I've tried to switch to word schedules but they don't work for my brain for some reason. And, for me its digital pictures or it almost gets me confused in a way so it depends on the person.

Sign Language!!

http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslp...

It is a visual dictionary of signlanguage, from child signlanguage (best one to start with) to full dictionary, etc.

Signing is good for the hands for SID as well and fine motor skills :) Great input, etc. and helps promote speech and engagement!

I would say, in a happy voice, say the word while 'SIGNING IT'...then immediately show and give them the object you are teaching them. Some autistic kids or people need signing or symbols for certain things before the pic. cards start.

DYNAVOX: Set in device that will talk for you - Some are pictures, some is keyboard

Video of it being utilized by Autistic child below:

Autism and Coping methods

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:37:56 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Autism & Visual Distortions

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:23:05 CDT

My book available here: http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1

1. Sometimes things can look abnormal, like one chair leg may look fatter than the rest or can look stretched or even be missing similar to migraines

2. A lot of autistic children look like they are grabbing the air and staring at it; The particles in the air that are supposedly not able to be seen except under specific light are seen by Autistic people since our eyes are much more sensitive, also like animals.

3. Their are what are called "tornado" sparkles that happen when looking at the ground and concrete...this is because of the chemicals used in making the sidewalks, etc. and that happen when friction hits the ground...also another thing supposedly not able to be seen but Autistic people can...

A lot of these visual distortions scare autistic children when they have no idea what they are...when I was little I would scream and cry and hide behind the couch because I thought the air particles were going to attack me but have learned to deal with them as I found out the reason and just because after 19 years you get used to them...hence Attention Problems...very hard to forget they are there.

Confirmed by O.T. evaluations, etc. that these are not just what I see msyelf, but what every Autistic person can see too as other things that I have posted. - depending of course on level and severity in certain catergories.

Gluten Free/Cassein Free Recipes!

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:12:01 CDT

This food can be fun aside the fact its healthy!

My book available here: http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1

The gluten free/cassein free diet is good for some chilren on the autism spectrum because autistic children have gut problems. IT is believed that the yeast sticks to their intestinal walls making it permeable. The diet would eliminate that, or lessen it at least 80%. (Though, for some children it has actually made them have more bowel problems because of missing the wheat and everything) --- Its a 'experimental' thing for each individual child...IT works for some and some not. See the bold blue links for gf/cf, etc. dietary stores and recipe sites!!!! :) - some lighter for some reason

Tings Cheese Puffs(Tastes like Cheetos!) Four! Bags! FROM gfcfdiet.com for those with special diets!
Very 'cheesy' Cheetos™ like snack but dairy-free! This taste so much like real cheese curls you could fool anyone. Kosher.

Ener-G Crisp Pretzels FROM plumgoodfood.com for those with special diets! (also has natural as well)
Corn Starch, Potato Starch, Palm Oil, Soy Flour, Salt, Sugar, Baking Powder (Ammonium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate), Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Yeast, Lecithin from Soy (Emulsifier).

These pretzels are free of gluten, wheat, nuts, rice, milk, dairy, and egg. Low in protein and phenylalanine.

Frito's snacks/Lay's Stax are Gluten Free, however they are made in the same place as their other products, so may contain small amounts of Gluten every once in a while.

http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/ProdDetEv_Cat_306_SubCat_351852_NavRoot_361689_ProdID_364066.htm

LAY’S® STAX® products are free of gluten.

This site below shows everything from Frozen Foods, to cakes, to bars, to chips and salsa, breads and bagels, beverages, etc. that are GLUTEN FREE!
http://www.celiac.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=25&osCsid=445631e259e746496d5ae25fcf8f8db4 a lot of these products have these labels on them:

So they are, GFM Frozen, Gluten Free, Prepared, Milk Free, Corn Free, No sugar Added, Kosher, Egg Free

For the Recipes!/Books
http://stewartdehart.stores.yahoo.net/noname1.html

This is a first month meal plan with other things, questions to ask restaurants, etc.

By	my GFCF kids "Kate" (PA United States) - See all my reviews

I am still a bit of a novice when it comes to cooking GFCF, we have only been following this diet for a few months now, but this book makes it easy to create meals and snacks that my children will eat. The Wonderful Waffles recipe is better that anything you will find in the freezer section of your local grocery store-GFCF or otherwise-and there are lots of tips & tricks to get more nutrients into your kids. Not only are the recipes good, the info presented on the diet is done in an easy-to-read format. It is all explained in great detail, how it works and why it works. Also, at the top of each recipe, there is a key that shows which allergens are present, a real time-saver for those of us dealing with multiple food sensitivities-you know at a glance. Overall, I am happy with my purchase, I would recommend it to others, especially if you are just starting out on the GFCF diet & need some guidance. -- Get the Book: ALSO: Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions. Author and parent Karen L. DeFelice discusses the role of enzymes in helping people with autism digest foods that create problems for them. Some parents use enzymes in addition to a gluten-free, milk-free diet or to handle diet infractions.

Recipes to print off---

PaleoFood.com
The Paleolithic Eating Support List's Recipe Collection
Recipes are: grain-free, bean-free, potato-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free.
Ingredients used: meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and berries. GREAT SITE!!!!!!!!! (You really get the health and nutrition benefits too! )

A few meals to get you started:

Thank You Chicken Nuggets 8/23/00
The Warfel Family

1 1/2 C GF rice cereal - Using rolling pin crush in a zip lock bag

Mix the below ingredients with rice after ground down.
4 T. tapioca flour
1 C Potato flour
1/2 C shredded coconut
2 T. Aunt Jayne's crazy salt

Cut Purdue chicken into desired sizes, wash and pat dry

Mix 2 organic eggs with 1 1/2 C. of Pacific Rice milk
Dip chicken pieces into liquid mixture and then toss in closed zip locked bag and coat with mixture. Cook in canola oil until golden brown.

Pancakes & Waffles

2 1/4 cups Biscuit Mix
1 Tbl Sugar (Honey is great too!)
1 egg
1 1/2 cup of water.
Vitamins, if desired

Mix biscuit mix and sugar. Add Egg and water, and mix well. I use the heavy duty mixer, and really let it wip this up good! If you use more sugar, you can almost bake this as a cupcake too! Chocolate Bunnies ALMOST Melt about a cup of GFCF Semisweet chocolate Chips* (* www.glutenfree.com sells a semi-sweet GFCF chocolate chip 800-291-8386) , to which a tablespoon of casein free margarine has been added, in a pyrex cup in the microwave. Remove from oven, stir vigorously until melted. If desired, add some Rice Twice cereal and stir well. Pour into plastic molds, chill, pop out, wrap. Repeat in heart shape molds for Valentines, Tree molds for Christmas, etc. note: IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION NOT TO FULLY MELT CHOCOLATE IN THE MICROWAVE AS YOU RISK OVERHEATING WHICH MAY RUIN RECIPE.

This crispy pizza crust tastes so delicious that your guests won’t know it’s wheat and gluten-free. You can hold a slice in your hand and it won’t crumble! For a fantastic, fat-free Pizza Sauce, see page 53 in the book. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In medium mixer bowl using regular beaters (not dough hooks), blend the yeast, flours, dry milk powder, xanthan gum, salt, gelatin powder, and Italian herb seasoning on low speed. Add warm water, sugar (or honey), olive oil, and vinegar. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. (If the mixer bounces around the bowl, the dough is too stiff. Add water if necessary, one tablespoon at a time, until dough does not resist beaters.) The dough will resemble soft bread dough. (You may also mix in bread machine on dough setting.) Put mixture into 12-inch pizza pan or on baking sheet (for thin, crispy crust), 11 x 7-inch pan (for deep-dish version) that has been coated with cooking spray. Liberally sprinkle rice flour onto dough, then press dough into pan with your hands, continuing to sprinkle dough with flour to prevent sticking to your hands. Make edges thicker to contain the toppings. Bake the pizza crust for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Spread pizza crust with your favorite sauce and toppings. Bake for another 20-25 minutes or until top is nicely browned. Serves 6.

SAMPLE Breakfast:
Gluten & Casein free cereal & milk. There are many different kinds that the health food stores carry. Milk is substitutable by potato milk, almond milk, rice milk or soymilk..

Ener-G and Kinnickinnick mail orders carry GFCF donuts. (Make sure you specify GFCF when ordering.) Several companies make GFCF English muffins.

Eggs are a great source of protein, bacon and sausage can be bought nitrate free, and rice or millet, toast with CF margarine and low-sugar jelly.

There are many GFCF muffin mixes available and several health food stores carry fresh baked versions and there are recipes for lots of flavors in cookbooks mentioned in this document.

Mail order and local health food stores carry GFCF bagels or you can make them yourself with GFCF ingredients and freeze them

GFCF Waffles are available at many stores. Van’s products or other GFCF mixes are available at health food stores, by mail order, or from recipes you make from scratch. Both GFCF pancakes and GFCF waffles are a snap, and freeze well.

Millet or rice bread make excellent GFCF French Toast. Mix GFCF vanilla and eggs and potato milk.( Potato milk may be deleted) . Fry toast in a little bacon grease.

Potato milk, soy or rice milk and watered-down juices are fine.

LUNCH SAMPLE

Boar's Head Lunchmeat (some are not GFCF - see list)
Lay's Potato Chips
Fritos Corn Chips
Tostitos Tortilla Chips
Fruit Juice http://gfcfdiet.com/Beverages.htm
Hot Dogs ( Ball Park, Kahn's, Hebrew National Reduced Fat) No Bun Needed but available see below
Peanut Butter (Example: Jiff, Skippy)
Jelly (Example: Welch's 100% Grape Jelly)
GFCF Breads (Health Food Stores) Kinnikinnick & Glutino www.Kinnikinnicks.com; www.glutino.com
Cascadian Farms French Fries (see list)
Fruit Leathers (read ingredients)
Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

DINNER SAMPLE

Sample Dinner

Meat
Potatoes (no prepackaged with mixes) Cook to GFCF standards
Rice (no prepackaged with mixes) Cook to GFCF standards
Rice Spaghetti Noodles (Health Food Stores & On-Line purchase - see Directory)
Vegetable (Fresh is best but frozen without any added ingredients is acceptable)
Earth Balance or Fleischman Light (read labels!) for "butter substitute (see Directory)

Dinner is the easiest meal, generally. A plain cooked piece of meat with potato or rice and vegetable always works. Freeze meats individually so they are quicker to defrost. Cook a chicken breast in a little corn oil or GFCF bread crumbs and bake. Meatloaf with GFCF crumbs goes well for the whole family. Also, cook GFCF meatballs in large batches and freeze them to use as needed. Rice or potatoes or even GFCF pastas work well as sides. GFCF Pizza can be made several ways. Get a GFCF flatbread, top with GFCF pizza sauce and melt Soymage, SLOWLY. You can also make your own crusts from scratch or mixes that are GFCF.

A few beverages to get you started:

Julius's!!!

"Julius" recipe by Lisa S. Lewis 1 cup orange juice*
2 TBL. dehydrated egg white (e.g. Just Whites)
1/8 cup sugar
1/4 cup dry Darifree
1 heaping cup ice
Blend on high for 30 seconds or so. *If OJ is not tolerated, try pineapple juice.

A few desserts to get you started:

Crunchy Apple Coffee Cake

Ingredients:
1 Package 'Cause You're Special! Classic Muffin and Quickbread mix
1 C Whipping cream
1 Egg
2 C Chopped, peeled apple
2/3 C GF brown sugar, firmly packed
½ C Walnuts or Pecans, chopped (optional)
1 tsp. Cinnamon
¼ C Butter or margarine, melted

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 9" - 10" round cake pan or 8" x 8" x 2" pan.
Combine Classic Muffin & Quickbread mix, whipping cream and egg in large bowl. Stir until moistened. Spread half of the batter evenly in greased and floured pan. Top evenly with apple.
Combine brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon in small bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle half the mixture over apple. Drizzle with 2 Tblsp melted butter. Drop remaining muffin batter by spoonfuls over brown sugar mixture. Sprinkle with remaining brown sugar mixture; drizzle with remaining butter.
Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes uncovered. Then cover with aluminum foil and continue to bake 30-35 minutes. Cool 20 minutes. Serve warm.
Creamy Apple Bars

Ingredients for 1st Step:
1 Small size (14.8 oz.) package of 'Cause You're Special! Moist Yellow Cake mix.
1 Stick of butter or margarine

Blend until crumbly. Reserve 2/3 cup of mixture. Press remaining cake mixture into 9" x 13" pan. Slice 3 apples (peeled and cored) and arrange over crust.

Ingredients for 2nd Step:
1 Egg
8 oz. GF Sour Cream

Pour over apple slices.

Ingredients for 3rd Step:
¼ C GF brown sugar
1 tsp. GF cinnamon

To reserve cake mix add:
Sprinkle over top of sour cream mixture. Bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes. Serve warm or cool.

Autism and it's World INTRODUCTION!

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:54:18 CDT

Translations are not perfect
BIG NEWS! My book available here: http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1
http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/resources/books.php

04/3/09: Going to have 3 tests done in hospital this month... seeing neurologist for uncontrollable tics & possible dizziness reason; if you pray please do. Luv,Kris

Click the PLAY button below to hear your greeting! (Just pause the music above)

Theories...

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:52:59 CDT

My book available here: http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1

Live Chat Room & IM w/ Site Creator

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:28:20 CDT

Police & Autism

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:24:20 CDT

Doctors, Dentists, EMT, hospitals, Firefighters and autism...

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:23:08 CDT

My book available here:
http://stores.lulu.com/autismbook1
http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/resources/books.php
FIre FIghters and EMt's your section is labeled in RED. --- Hospital staff/doctors/dentists, read these tips too...very important for you guys as well...very important! FireFighters and EMTs read the other stuff on this page, as it gives 'child-friendly' words to use for medical terms, etc. Important as well.

** Higher functioning kids on the spectrum will probably freak out at the hospital just like other people who might be lower functioning, because of the tons of people, the noises, the unfamiliar things, etc. So many times doctors will say 'its just anxiety; see you can even tell by the way he/she is acting' No, wrong, if the child is complaining listen to them; autistic people can feel when something is wrong; they feel it the best. Of course they freak out in the hospital, it doesn't mean what they are feeling is then in their head.

Hospital visits/doctors/dentists etc... can be a traumatic experience for any age person with autism. Many times, the doctors do an automatic restraint system on the autistic person without trying other methods because they are simply "not aware" of autism and how to deal with it.

ALSO: scroll down...

A play “medical kit” may also be helpful. OR ones that look a little more similar to the "real" equipment, like this piece in a set: http://www.lillianvernon.com/catalog/product_display.jsp?pdId=1716&name=Medical+Set+%26+Lab+Coat&parentCatId=2&catId=246&subCatId=82 This is the best!!!!! For preparing for real looking ones :)

When coming to an ER, get into a room as quickly as possible....tell the people at the desk your child is autistic and cannot handle all the people.

Most places require paperwork, especially new patients, so PLEASE request the papers to be sent to your home as waiting while doing the paper work is a difficult and unneccesary time wait and overstimulation...plus gives more time for anxiety.

Great Info. video 4 DENTISTS!: FINALLY FIXED!!

I'm very lucky because I have one of the best dentists! Be sure to check out your dentists :)

Tips:
1. The dentist uses the weighted vests over my legs to calm me and keep me from involuntarily moving.
2. Also, gustatory and tactile defensive reactions... Inserting tools or even looking in the mouth can cause gagging and sensation overload as well as involuntary hacking of spit.
3. Make sure the suction thing is there if giving a shot after a ton of numbing, the tiniest drop on the throat causing choaking and the involuntary hacking of spit. It is not on purpose...it is like a sneeze.

<Print this page off and give to your doctor when going to a visit; also if can be done before, preferable:)>

ALSO....
Hospital visits can be traumatic for any age person with autism. Most of the time, people just autimatically restrain patients before trying other methods because they are simply not "AWARE" of autism and what it means.

**sedation or general anesthesia may be recommended to make delivery of that required treatment possible in a safe and comfortable manner**---for more difficult procedures or treatments. The lower hemisphere is 30 X more sensitive to autistic people, so procedures in that area are TRAUMATIC.

Autistic children/adults too, who are verbal or who may be nonverbal but are definitely able to understand things, use soft words to describe techniques used by doctors, as well as for other children who are typical:

Blood Pressure Cuff: Give your arm a hug
Stretcher: Bed with wheels
Anesthesia: Sleepy Medicine

Have a visual pain scale:

ALSO...

Autistic people view the medical equipment as extremely terrifying and painful, even a stethescope...autism/child friendly equipment on staff is also extremely beneficial and really does change the view to a person w/ autism, making the stay for everyone at the hospital a little less "loud and screaming, etc." EX: These even calm down the adults....It really usually isn't a matter of emberassing for a person on the spectrum because people on the spectrum have what others call "child like qualities" These would be interesting and make everything a little less intimidating; Autistic world is viewed much like an infant or young toddler.

A person with autism should have a psychologist or child-life specialist working throughout their stay at a hospital, even if the autistic person is an adult--adult autistic people need the same sustenance as a child...ASK for ONE, also psychologists know autism and how to help...they work at the hospital.

EX: When an eye is coved with a patch, the child may react very negatively. Small scale bribing is acceptable to calm the child so much that training or testing can be continued. In this situation we learn what is the child's near vision acuity with single symbols. See the video.

One apsect of the role of a Child Life specialist is to teach young patients about medical procedures in order to make their hospital visit less stressful. Here, Cynthia Fitchpatrick, Child Life, uses the teaching doll to demonstrate to Children's Hospital patients what to expect during and after their surgery.

EMT and FIRE-FIGHTERS (firefighters, use all these same suggestions and an extra tip for you, Tip 10. EMT's tip 10 is also one you can use although geared more towards firefighters.

EMT & Firefighters:

Tip 1: Autistic people will most likely be frightened of EMT because of the following: the vast majority of them at once, Visual-disillusion meaning being frightened of the specific clothing such as the pants that firefighter EMT's wear because they are baggy and blow in the wind (It is a dis-illusion, too much sensory input through autistic peoples eyes)

Tip 2: When you are asking what is wrong with the person who has autism spectrum disorder, be sure to use a quiet voice, sometimes talk very little and when you do talk use a Robotic (human but a little robotic), singsong tone of voice (rise and fall of the voice pitch: (s ng sông , -s ng )) which is soothing to autistic people for they are very hightened to repetition, etc. LOOK @ VIDEOS PAGE UNDER SILENT FALL for ex: Also, sound like you aren't really worried, just non-challant.

Tip 3: Also, when asking what is wrong, point to the different body parts when asking, so the autistic person can respond, it is visually helpful because when autistic people get really upset and worried, they can literally almost forget words or forget what is wrong with them.

Tip 3 1/2: When using thermometers, spirometers, any equipment have another EMT doing it to their partner so Autistic person sees they aren't going to hurt them.

Tip 4: Also, when ok to do so, talk to each other about everyday things so as to relieve tension.

Tip 5: Always carry something, like a glitter wand, or a distractor; this will calm the person down.

Tip 5 1/2: If putting in IV, try to NOT put in middle of arm, commonly used place as that place is EXTREMELY sensitive in autistic people; other places on the arm like side of wrist sometimes will not feel really anything...good way to go most the time... This is also a better place because of stimming and Autistic people tend to move their arm and then the little tube in the arm will make irritation and pain, as well as __infiltration?__ (thinking of the word where the thing gets the fluids not in the vein but outside of it). And, put in the solutions slowly as they can cause pain in most Autistic people if the saline, medications, etc. go in. Really wrapping the site up can help as well. (Not really wrapped up in this picture but like a lot of little kids have it wrapped up, sometimes almost looks like a cast)
ALSO: This product is great so there is not all the re-poking and pushing, etc.

Tip 6: When the person gets to the hospital, immediately tell the doctors they need a psychologist on staff and stay with the autistic person for a few minutes while they are getting settled it...it will make them feel safer and get a sense of things being the same.

Tip 7: Either light or deep massage helps a lot!

Tip 8: The sound of the fire engines or ambulance or police cars are very loud and overwhelming to an autistic persons' senses. Carry along cotton/earplugs so can place in the persons' ears so the sound is not so overwhelming.

Tip 9: Be patient, also, if they are stimming, like making noise, it actually is good for them as it vibrates the inner ear creating balanced autonomic reflexes in the brain to coordinate balance and self-regulation...don't be alarmed.

Teachers and autism

KED — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:04:05 CDT

Strive to be this!....

Me, Autism and being sick

KED — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:10:55 CDT