My 5 year old son, Tanishk was diagnosed on ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) when he was 2 years old. We came to US and he got early intervention till he is 3 years old. After that he started his school. Today, when I see back, I always think about how long we have come and how long we have to go. Is there any end to this road or is there any destination to reach?
When he was 2, he was non-verbal. He was used to listen music on reliance mobile phone and also on TV. Whenever the commercials started on TV, he used to come in front of TV to watch them from wherever he was. He had sense when the commercials are started and when the commercials end. But strangely he didn't respond to his name or anything we say. But phone, TV or computer he responded very well.
He didn't play appropriately with toys. He used to ignore everything else in which he was not interested and he had very less interests. He was used to play with wheels of the car instead of playing with the car. He liked to fill and empty any type of container - box, glass etc. He collected all the books, papers or things at one place and hold them. He flipped the books instead of trying to read. He wasn't interested in playing with balls as all boys do.
His stimming behaviors like flapping his hands, flipping the books, spinning the things, pressing the buttons, spinning himself, to see the things from corner of his eyes, runs here and there, not holding hands when he is walking outside - everything was there. He used to watch same videos and listen same music repeatedly. He wasn't attentive.
Till then I didn't hear word autism and I used to think that do all the kids behave like he does. My husband did research on this and he came out of this decision that Tanishk is not a normal kid and we have to get him evaluated. We came to US then he got evaluated. He got his diagnosis and then early intervention.
Till now he has got early intervention, and then school with class of special students and then private special school PCDI. Yes, there are improvements. He can speak and can also read the words & sentences. He can follow most of the instructions and has become more attentive. He is a great problem solver and solves puzzles. He knows how to start the gadgets - computer, DVD player, phone, ITouch, IPad etc. He knows coloring and is also learning to write. He is fond of crayons and markers. He knows counting till 20 and also recognizes the numbers written. He knows how to communicate his needs. He is toilet trained. He jumps on trampoline and loves slides & swings in the park. He has started to imitate the actions.
But still there are behaviors. Just the style of behaviors is changed. He doesn't want to comply. He runs here and there & he is so active that he can't sit still. He jumps every where - on the mattress too. He wants to watch same videos, listen same music, computer on & off, goes into the settings of any gadget and just selecting anything. Flapping his hands and holding things in one hand are still there. If he is given a pencil or pen and left unattended, he will scribble everywhere even on the table or floor too. He has got verbal stimming, he just keeps saying the things he had heard through various sources - TV, Computer, videos, therapists, teachers, parents etc.
My all the time goes in prompting and redirecting him. Sometimes I feel very much tired & frustrated and think where is the end??
He didn't play appropriately with toys. He used to ignore everything else in which he was not interested and he had very less interests. He was used to play with wheels of the car instead of playing with the car. He liked to fill and empty any type of container - box, glass etc. He collected all the books, papers or things at one place and hold them. He flipped the books instead of trying to read. He wasn't interested in playing with balls as all boys do.
His stimming behaviors like flapping his hands, flipping the books, spinning the things, pressing the buttons, spinning himself, to see the things from corner of his eyes, runs here and there, not holding hands when he is walking outside - everything was there. He used to watch same videos and listen same music repeatedly. He wasn't attentive.
Till then I didn't hear word autism and I used to think that do all the kids behave like he does. My husband did research on this and he came out of this decision that Tanishk is not a normal kid and we have to get him evaluated. We came to US then he got evaluated. He got his diagnosis and then early intervention.
Till now he has got early intervention, and then school with class of special students and then private special school PCDI. Yes, there are improvements. He can speak and can also read the words & sentences. He can follow most of the instructions and has become more attentive. He is a great problem solver and solves puzzles. He knows how to start the gadgets - computer, DVD player, phone, ITouch, IPad etc. He knows coloring and is also learning to write. He is fond of crayons and markers. He knows counting till 20 and also recognizes the numbers written. He knows how to communicate his needs. He is toilet trained. He jumps on trampoline and loves slides & swings in the park. He has started to imitate the actions.
But still there are behaviors. Just the style of behaviors is changed. He doesn't want to comply. He runs here and there & he is so active that he can't sit still. He jumps every where - on the mattress too. He wants to watch same videos, listen same music, computer on & off, goes into the settings of any gadget and just selecting anything. Flapping his hands and holding things in one hand are still there. If he is given a pencil or pen and left unattended, he will scribble everywhere even on the table or floor too. He has got verbal stimming, he just keeps saying the things he had heard through various sources - TV, Computer, videos, therapists, teachers, parents etc.
My all the time goes in prompting and redirecting him. Sometimes I feel very much tired & frustrated and think where is the end??
