I'm very interested in reading what you have to say about living with PDD NOS. I have a 3 year old , and he hasn't been officially diagnosed, but the school's Special Ed program has identified him as being on the spectrum, and I feel that he probably is PDD NOS. Thanks!
Living with PDD NOS, for me, personally, didn't really seem hard until third grade, the year that I was diagnosed. It was only then that I really felt different almost to the point of being "separate." For your son, I would say be supportive and, even more importantly PATIENT. :) Since he's still really young I would make sure that he has some support and patience from the school too. As he gets older let teachers and paraeducators know about who he is, his interests, his hobbies. But first, I must ask, what are some of the signs you and the school have noticed to identify your son as being on the autism spectrum? Three years old, is a young age. For now, I feel as if he'll be fine either way. Kids tend to be fine with others who have certain "quirks" especially if they are told about it and see his strengths. Encourage creativity. Ask him questions like "what should you do if someone you know says hi to you when we're out?" or "what did you do at recess today?" That way he can begin to think about social situations more and begin to see himself and how he fits into social situations. If you have any more questions, let me know! I'm always willing to help! :)
Thanks! His school is doing amazing things with him. His teachers are very understanding and helpful, and keep me updated on his progress. The therapists are really helping him in many areas. His main issue right now is language. He repeats questions asked of him rather than answering. He is already reading and can read things from a script, but has problems coming up with his own language- although, it is greatly improving.
He is a very loving, happy boy. He has problems interacting with people at times, but for the most part, he is a snuggable, huggable kid. He can become fixated on things at times- sometimes lining things up and becoming irritated if anyone even moves it slightly. He also loves Pixar movies- especially Cars, and will spell things out with the fridge magnets that have to do with his favorite movies. I noticed in your profile that a favorite author is Dr. Seuss. My son has that in common with you! He was very excited to celebrate Dr. Seuss week at school.
He has a few other things like sensory issues and some things that qualify him for therapy in Speech, Occupational, Social/emotional/behavioral. But for the most part, I think he is pretty high functioning- like I said, a very loving kid, but has his quirks.
Oh, and a question I have for you- Do you feel like being in school was most beneficial for you? I homeschool my other two kids, and I appreciate the things that my 3 year old's school does for him, but I wonder if I should Homeschool him or keep him in the public school.
Your son sounds like a great kid! To answer your question, I feel like home schooling may prevent your son from having some "real world" experience especially for elementary school, but it is ultilmatley a family choice. I do kind of wish that i'd been home schooled in middle school, or gone to another school, just because it's probably the hardest point and i feel lkike kids can be really mean then. Since your son is still young, I would say keep him in school, and, maybe in a few years time, ask him what he thinks.
I'm very interested in reading what you have to say about living with PDD NOS. I have a 3 year old , and he hasn't been officially diagnosed, but the school's Special Ed program has identified him as being on the spectrum, and I feel that he probably is PDD NOS.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Living with PDD NOS, for me, personally, didn't really seem hard until third grade, the year that I was diagnosed. It was only then that I really felt different almost to the point of being "separate." For your son, I would say be supportive and, even more importantly PATIENT. :) Since he's still really young I would make sure that he has some support and patience from the school too. As he gets older let teachers and paraeducators know about who he is, his interests, his hobbies.
ReplyDeleteBut first, I must ask, what are some of the signs you and the school have noticed to identify your son as being on the autism spectrum? Three years old, is a young age. For now, I feel as if he'll be fine either way. Kids tend to be fine with others who have certain "quirks" especially if they are told about it and see his strengths. Encourage creativity. Ask him questions like "what should you do if someone you know says hi to you when we're out?" or "what did you do at recess today?" That way he can begin to think about social situations more and begin to see himself and how he fits into social situations.
If you have any more questions, let me know! I'm always willing to help!
:)
Thanks! His school is doing amazing things with him. His teachers are very understanding and helpful, and keep me updated on his progress. The therapists are really helping him in many areas.
ReplyDeleteHis main issue right now is language. He repeats questions asked of him rather than answering. He is already reading and can read things from a script, but has problems coming up with his own language- although, it is greatly improving.
He is a very loving, happy boy. He has problems interacting with people at times, but for the most part, he is a snuggable, huggable kid.
He can become fixated on things at times- sometimes lining things up and becoming irritated if anyone even moves it slightly. He also loves Pixar movies- especially Cars, and will spell things out with the fridge magnets that have to do with his favorite movies. I noticed in your profile that a favorite author is Dr. Seuss. My son has that in common with you! He was very excited to celebrate Dr. Seuss week at school.
He has a few other things like sensory issues and some things that qualify him for therapy in Speech, Occupational, Social/emotional/behavioral. But for the most part, I think he is pretty high functioning- like I said, a very loving kid, but has his quirks.
Oh, and a question I have for you- Do you feel like being in school was most beneficial for you? I homeschool my other two kids, and I appreciate the things that my 3 year old's school does for him, but I wonder if I should Homeschool him or keep him in the public school.
ReplyDeleteHey!
ReplyDeleteYour son sounds like a great kid!
To answer your question, I feel like home schooling may prevent your son from having some "real world" experience especially for elementary school, but it is ultilmatley a family choice. I do kind of wish that i'd been home schooled in middle school, or gone to another school, just because it's probably the hardest point and i feel lkike kids can be really mean then.
Since your son is still young, I would say keep him in school, and, maybe in a few years time, ask him what he thinks.