Autism

[NativeSon]

Not to answer for [MENTION=24571]a4b2c[/MENTION] , as im curious to read his reply, but my brother is on the autism spectrum and considered low functioning, and most of the work I do at my job is with people who are more at that end of the spectrum. My brother is mostly non verbal, he has a lot of behavioral issues and sensory sensitivities, and probably won't be able to live independently, although my mom is a huge advocate of trying to teach him those sorts of skills and to keep his mind challenged and stimulated. But he's just one individual that has been diagnosed with ASD. Its different for everyone, including what is considered high vs low functioning.

Thanks.

Is there any prescribed treatment or therapy for autism? If there is, is it lifelong? How expensive is it? How successful is it?

[Emiliano]

Thanks.

Is there any prescribed treatment or therapy for autism? If there is, is it lifelong? How expensive is it? How successful is it?

Again, not to speak for any of the people here who have a diagnosis, just to share my perspective from someone who works on the therapy side of it.

There are different types of programs, pedagogies, and therapies available to help people better adjust to neurotypical society, like building communication and interpersonal skills, being able to live or travel independently, behavioral interventions...

At my job I work pretty closely with a classroom special needs teacher from the NEST program (http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/DD51...102315.pdf ) and a speech language pathologist to build our programs for higher functioning students. Those programs are centered around building relationships through a common interest mostly, but we work on all kinds of stuff with the kids - being self aware of certain behaviors or repetitions, scripting language sometimes, learning to be flexible, getting used to noticing and using non verbal cues, checking in with each other and working collaboratively.

Its not something that is seen as having a "cure". Again, every person with autism is different, it can be a very personal disorder. Some things work for some people but not others. But generally the more support an individual has, the more successful they are at adapting to the world around them.

If you're interested theres a really good documentary called Best Kept Secret
about the value of a strong support system for lower functioning students who age out of the public school system.

[NativeSon]

Okay.

That's pretty worrisome.

[Bowyn Aerrow]

Thanks.

Is there any prescribed treatment or therapy for autism? If there is, is it lifelong? How expensive is it? How successful is it?

There is therapy to teach one social skills and how to abide by the rules of their spectrum complications. There are no drug treatments. High functioning Autistic people are prevalent in all walks of society. Most have a higher "practical" intelligence, meaning things like maths, science, facts, and have a lower "social" intelligence, how to do small talk, knowing when to stop talking, reading the many subtle emotions aside from the strong ones.

Being a relatively "new" discovery and poorly researched, kids back in the 60's and 70's were treated for things like ADHD or "hyperactivity" - essentially we were dosed with amphetamines. This has lead to things like drug issues. For instance my drug of choice is methamphetamine - the same substance with one minor change.

This mis-diagnoses and medication has lead to a data flaw in research that autistic children will grow up with a greater chance of drug addiction. This is how little is understood about the disorder.

Yes its lifelong. Its a brain wiring thing, and until humans can figure out how to rewire neurons there is no "cure".

Success rate depends on where on the spectrum one is and how much one wants to appear "normal".

We here talk about straight acting - well for most high functioning autistic individuals that straight acting means blending in with "normal" or "neural-normal" people.

This is only something temporary. Autistic individuals need "me time" on a daily basis to release their inner Kracken, if they are forced to be "on" for too long it can actually lead to a hard regression even temporary lowering in the spectrum.

They still don't know what consequences Autism will have on people 50, 60, 70 + years of age. From what I have read there is two data sets. The happy data set suggests that only a few elderly HFA individuals have worsening symptoms.

The other not so happy data set points to a fair amount of regression and in cases where other health issues loom there is a steady drop into the spectrum, getting more autistic.

My personal experience has been the not so happy side. I no longer stop myself from rocking or displaying autistic body language in public. Either I'm lacking the ability to refrain, or I'm just old enough to say "oh fuck it".

My generation is the one that much research is being done on, but like I said, the data set is flawed due to how we were misdiagnosed, how we had our social skills learned, or as in my case, literally beaten into us.

So, it the younger generation that is being raised with "understanding" and closer monitoring of how data is being taken that will eventually lead to options for treatment.

[a4b2c]

What does high-functionaling mean? As opposed to? What does that mean to you?

Autism is on a 'spectrum'. There is high functioning and then there is low functioning. I think 'placement' is placed based off of the persons symptoms and severity of symptoms, and how it affects the person with autism,.

Me, I have mild symptoms so I'm classified as high functioning.

I remember when I was younger, I didn't want to have this diagnosis, so that I could be "like everyone else", quote, "normal", It got easier to cope with as I got older though, when I was able to learn more about the diagnosis and skills on how to "adapt to it".

Today, I'm a happy autistic. I've learned a lot and because of the adapting, I've been able to achieve my goals and strive to achieve new ones.

[LJay]

Thanks guys! Much good stuff.

[Doc]

My brother is diagnosed autistic too, and it is occassionally evident in the things he says and does, like stimming for example. But he's a lovely kid, kind and happy, which is the most important thing.

Whats stimming?

[Emiliano]

Whats stimming?

Self stimulation - like rocking, moving your hands in a certain way, repeating certain phrases or noises.

[Doc]

Self stimulation - like rocking, moving your hands in a certain way, repeating certain phrases or noises.

Do they find it pleasurable or enjoyable or is it involuntary?

[Emiliano]

Do they find it pleasurable or enjoyable or is it involuntary?

I've seen people do it as a way to calm or comfort themselves. My brother also flaps his hands when hes excited about something.