tater03

My friends son who is 14 monthes was just diagnosed with Autisum. The problem they are having is he seems to enjoy himself most when he is bouncing. He is starting to outgrow all the baby type bouncers. Does anyone have any suggestions for a product that might help? Or some site they would recommend for her to get some toys for him that would be good? She just found out last Friday and has not had a chance to really process all of this so I would like to help her out anyway that I can. I know that she needs to find some stuff that he might enjoy playing with. He seems to be very picky on the types of things that make him happy. Any suggestions on websites where she can find toys and things that children with autism enjoy. Thank you all so much.

mommy4

Wow. So sorry to hear about your friends son. Autism can be a very challenging diagnosis. The one thing that is very important is early intervention. She needs to get him all the help she can at this early age. This is the most important time to make progress in a child with autism. There are so many programs out there. I would sugest some sort of rocking horse that also bounces. Those can be use till about age 3 I think. Also some sensory toys. There are many out there. What she will want to get will depend on what will work for her child. I am sure she will try many different things before she finds ones that work. Maybe a swing of some sort. You can buy indoor swiings that attach to the rafters in your ceiling, but make sure he likes to swing first as theses can be very spendy. I think though that most insurances will cover the cost of them. I wish I had more answers for you, but all the children I work with are school aged. This website looks like it has some good info and products http://www.southpawenterprises.com/ I wish her the best of luck.

SageMother

One thing to do is to start exercising redirection. It can be a struggle but one of the keys with repetitive bhavior is to interrupt it so that it can be used as a reward later. One of the keys I have picked up on in working with autistics is you have to interrupt a compulsive behavior BEFORE you see that look of total absorption comes over their face. Personally, since the child is only 14 months old, I wouldn't provide those favorite things just yet, and I wouldn't replace the bouncing toy with anything similar. Waiting to see if there are ways to work around some of the behaviors is easier now, while the child is physically small, than later, when dealing with their objections could lead to physical injuries for the parent. These are suggestions, though. she will find out what works best for her family

Support groups for those who interact with autistic folks are very helpful. It might be best for yout friend to check out suppoert broups BEFORE she takes time to absorb the diagnosis. This way it is more of part of raising the child, not the realization that there is a handicap to be dealt with. The more seemless her transition is, the faster it will go, IMHO.

tater03

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am going to let her see this thread. Thank you for the links. I am sure that this is just all so overwhelming for her at the moment.

happy2bg33k

Two other good resource websites are the site for the Autism Society of America:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

and The National Autism Association
http://www.nationalautismassociation.org

When she's ready I would recommend finding a case manager who specifically works with families affected by autism and perhaps some support groups as well. She has a long road ahead of her but it doesn't have to be a road she walks alone. She's lucky to have a friend like you!

barbara sher

I work in early intervention with children with autism. I'm an occupational therapist. Children who want to bounce due so for a reason. They are seeking propioceptive input. When they bounce, the nerves in their muscles and joints are stimulated and give them a feeling of being alive. it's similar to the good feeling we adults can get when we run or take a jazz aerobic class and we feel vital and alert.
Rather than begin the impossible task of getting him to stop, it's better to honor his need and serve it in different ways. One way is to serve this need in a game form between the parent and child. Since children with ASD (autistic syndrome disorder) have difficulty with social interaction, be part of your child's bounce. Be the one who gives him that joy. Sit him on your knees facing you and play "pony boy" where you bounce him and sing the pony boy song "Pony boy, pony boy, won;t you be my pony boy. Don't say no, here we go. Ride away with me". Bounce him up and down doing the first verse. Side to side during the second and, if he likes it, let him fall backwards while you are holding his hands, on the last.

You can also play a similar game using a large gym ball where he is sitting on the ball facing you and you are holding his hips.As you bounce him, sing whatever song comes to mind. Have fun with him.

Other less bouncy ways that serve his need is to wrap him up tight in a small blanket and then unroll it letting him roll out.

You can also buy tight velcro vest or even weighted blankets he can wrap himself up in. All these way give him the feedback that he is seeking because his sensory system in not integrated.

Don't worry, he won't want to bounce forever. His system will get integrated especially if he get good early intervention

Check out the book Out-of Sync child by Carol Kranowitz for more ideas or email me. I'll be happy to help you.

Barbara.sher@gmail.com

tater03

I thought I would come back and thank you all again. They are now in the process of teaching her son sign language and he is starting to talk here and there. She has joined a couple of support groups and this has helped her out a lot. Thanks again.

SageMother

Has your friend taken her child for a second opinion? As time goes on, the evidence of what was interpreted as Autism may actually reveal something else, or might reveal that her child's personality traits were just traits, and not a condition that needed intervention for the rest of the child's life.

yulia

a bit off topic, but I just wanted to say that this movie about vaccines has very interesting new info about autism and its possible treatment. perhaps you could forward it to your friend?

Mary Rocco (26 years of research on the subject!) presents an exceptional case regarding vaccination!
http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Why-Vaccines-Aren-t-Safe-48866.aspx