becoming a stepmommy to an autistic child

[Cav Girl]

DB has a 5 year old son diagnosed with autism. I have 3 of my own children, but I do not know much about autism. The classification that his son has is PPD (i believe that is the correct acronym). Anyway, here is my question, as DB and I become more serious, I would like to learn more about this disorder. Anyone have a child with this diagnosis? What are some things that I can expect? DB has told me a lot, but I'd like to hear other stories. PM me, if you'd prefer.
thank you

[Christine]

It depends on the child. Each one is different. Some don't like any type of affection, others like my son do. Generally, they'll do things call "stimming" flapping their arms, rocking back and forth, etc. They hate change. HATE IT!!!! They can and will have meltdowns over the littlest change. Schedules are a must. There can be food issues. Is he verbal or nonverbal?

For my son, he was originally diagnosed with PDD-NOS, but it has since been changed to autism. I can answer specific questions.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

[Cav Girl]

thank you so much for the information. i believe db told me his son's disorder is nonspecific. does that sound familiar? he doesn't like music to be loud, because it hurts his ears, and he is really bothered by collars and is very picky with hats. db said his son takes medications that help a lot as well. there was an article that was published in yahoo today that said about ten percent of children who are diagnosed with autism can "outgrow" it with correct treatment. eh...i'm a lil skeptical about it....but then again, i'm still learning.
thanks again for the information. its invaluable to me

[Christine]

Originally Posted by Cav Girl thank you so much for the information. i believe db told me his son's disorder is nonspecific. does that sound familiar? he doesn't like music to be loud, because it hurts his ears, and he is really bothered by collars and is very picky with hats. db said his son takes medications that help a lot as well. there was an article that was published in yahoo today that said about ten percent of children who are diagnosed with autism can "outgrow" it with correct treatment. eh...i'm a lil skeptical about it....but then again, i'm still learning. thanks again for the information. its invaluable to me

Some can get rid of a lot of the symptoms. Not a lot, but some do. I have hope. My son was non verbal until he was about 4 years old. Basically that diagnosis means is that he shows a lot of the symptoms of autism, but not enough to diagnose him with it. That was my son's first diagnosis. My son hates loud noises, labels in clothing, he used to hate anything that touched his head. Haircuts used to be a nightmare, but now he's okay with them.

I'm just glad he doesn't have meltdowns like he used to. I have a zillion websites bookmarked, so if you need pecs, software, info, I probably have it.

[Cav Girl]

Originally Posted by Christine Some can get rid of a lot of the symptoms. Not a lot, but some do. I have hope. My son was non verbal until he was about 4 years old. Basically that diagnosis means is that he shows a lot of the symptoms of autism, but not enough to diagnose him with it. That was my son's first diagnosis. My son hates loud noises, labels in clothing, he used to hate anything that touched his head. Haircuts used to be a nightmare, but now he's okay with them. I'm just glad he doesn't have meltdowns like he used to. I have a zillion websites bookmarked, so if you need pecs, software, info, I probably have it.

oh wow, that sounds exactly like db's son. i haven't met him yet, but the lil boy already has my heart!!! db sent me this pic of him where his son colored in a dinosaur, did the lil circle things, and the thing that killed me was that his son drew a SMILE on the dinosaur. it was a profile shaped dinosaur, and so it was a 1/2 smile. i was like he is so effin adorable!!! thank you for the offer of the information. i guess im just trying to get a good grasp on all of this, so that i can understand better the way his son acts, and i think that can only help the relationship that i'd have with db and his son. so any info you could throw my way would be greatly appreciated