Child just diagnosed with autism

[loving mom of two]

My 12 year old DS has just been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. I have been saying for years that something was not right, but the doctors keep insisting that the problems were due to his prematurity and epilepsy. So although we have been dealing with this for 12 years now, I still have so many questions that I hope some of you can help me with. Ryan has been having what I would call severe temper tantrums. We had to switch peditricians and yesterday was his first visit. Oh boy what a visit it was. I told him it was just for a check-up, no shots or blood work. Well when the doctor wanted to give him a shot, he went crazy. He was screaming at the top of lungs and hitting me. I had never experienced a fit like this before and surely did not expect it at age 12. We are just getting started with TSS and wrap around services. So while we wait for help, can anyone tell me are temper tantrums common among autistic children. I have been so busy the last 12 years doing research on seizures, I am a bit overwhelmed about the autism. I would appreciate any advice you might have. Thanks!

 

[Dina]

Temper Tantrums are common among children with autism-- however it gets better. My 6yo (mild aspergers) very rarely has tantrums anymore, and even when he does, we can calm him down pretty quickly. His was diagnosed at 3.5yo (at the time he was diagnosed with sensory integration/autism spectrum-- it wasn't until 4.5 that they said aspergers). He's been getting occupational therapy and physical therapy for 2.5 years now, and has made lots and lots of progress. He's a totally different person, though to others he he may seem like he has ADD (he has a hard time staying still for long periods)-- but its not ADD. The tantrums are very rare now though!! Good luck!!! PM me if you would like to chat!!

It is overwhelming-- I couldn't help but cry during the first IEP meeting when they said autism spectrum. It really gets easier though!!! Hang in there.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Yes, tantrums can be common for kids on the autism spectrum.

My 7 year old son (his name is Ryan too ) can get very upset if things don't happen the way I told them they were going to happen. Usually this is because kids on the spectrum take information very literally and rigidly - they don't understand that sometimes things don't go as planned, and it's difficult for them to deal with that.

You son was upset because he was told he wasn't going to get any shots, but the doctor "did" want to give him a shot. Now this would upset any kid at age 12, but your son was unable to handle it given his condition.

He will get better at dealing with these situations. It just takes time, and hopefully he'll get some help from a specialist as his school with social skills (which includes appropriate behavior and responses).

Good luck

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

can get very upset if things don't happen the way I told them they were going to happen. Usually this is because kids on the spectrum take information very literally and rigidly - they don't understand that sometimes things don't go as planned, and it's difficult for them to deal with that.

You son was upset because he was told he wasn't going to get any shots, but the doctor "did" want to give him a shot. Now this would upset any kid at age 12, but your son was unable to handle it given his condition.

:

this is exactly what I was going to say!! Good luck to you...it's overwhelming, esp at first ....hang in there, learn all you can, and ask questions!

ps--just curious, was he diagnosed with PDD-NOS, PDD (?), or autism?
(my ds has PDD-NOS)

 

[disneygal66]

My 6 yr old DS is also Autistic and still has temper tantrums. He just doesn't "get" some things . Also his speech is still difficult to understand at times (and we live with him) so he "freaks out" if he has to repeat things too many times or we just can't understand him. I also have a 11 yr old DS with ADHD, Anxiety and NVLD (similar to Aspergers) and he still has tantrums. But with a lot of therapy etc , they have decreased quite a bit. I am sure you feel overwhelmed right now and if you would like to chat or just vent, feel free to PM me!!

I hope things get easier with time!

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I learned the hard way just like you not to make any guarantees about what will happen at the drs office. I told DD last year that she would not get a shot, and she did, and she reacted much the same way as your son. Last week she had her annual check-up, and I said nothing either way about the shots, even though I had been told previously that there were none for the 4yr check-up. Boy, am I glad I didn't make any promises...the office had changed it immunization schedule since last year & she needed 2 shots! Yikes!

Temper tantrums are very common among autistic kids. My DD has them less often than she used to, and it will get better. Try to figure out what triggers them & head them off as much as possible. My DD gets really upset when she hurts herself (violently so, such that I worry that she will hurt herself even more during the tantrum). Accidents do happen, though, and I have learned how to handle that kind of tantrum (I get down on her level & make her focus on my eyes & talk to her very calmly & then we have to kiss the owie, etc). She also gets very upset if we are pplaying a game & someone tries to join in or change it up halfway through, so we all know not to do those things.

The best book I have read since my DD was diagnosed is "10 Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew". It is written from the child's perspective & has given me such wonderful insight on what her life is like. It has really helped me through the rough days by enabling me to better be able to put myself in her shoes. My whole family had read it in an effort to understand autism better & it has really helped.

Please feel free to PM me anytime with questions or if you just need to vent. I know how you feel...it's only been since February that we found out about DD.

Good luck & know that I am sending you happy thoughts!

Allison

 

[loving mom of two]

Thanks for all of the good advice!! It is so nice to know that I am not alone and their are so many nice people out their on the disboards willing to lend a listening ear. The official diagnosis was PDD-NOS. I plan on buying the book 10 things every child with autism wishes you knew. I continue to read over Ryan's medical report, which happens to be 18 pages long. Unfortunately, it is written in such a way that you would have to have a medical background to fully understand what they are saying. Your kindness is so greatly appreciated!

 

[Tree]

I also have a Ryan age 4 with pdd-nos. There is a lot of support online for this.

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/default.asp is a good message board. Also check out for local support groups. Mine has a been a life saver for me.

 

[robin09]

My DD7 has been diagnosed with Aspergers since she was 5 years old. Temper tantrums this summer have been pretty bad. I'm gathering it's because all our routines have changed (Our town has been hit with major flooding this summer) What ws routine or expected has changed.

I am with the thought that by telling your DS no shots and then the DR wanting to give it, set him off. I have learned (the hard way), not to say no, it wont happen. I tell Jenn that I don't think this will happen... but you don't know, It just might. This has helped quite a bit. Feel free to PM if you want.

Take care

My 12 year old DS has just been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. I have been saying for years that something was not right, but the doctors keep insisting that the problems were due to his prematurity and epilepsy. So although we have been dealing with this for 12 years now, I still have so many questions that I hope some of you can help me with. Ryan has been having what I would call severe temper tantrums. We had to switch peditricians and yesterday was his first visit. Oh boy what a visit it was. I told him it was just for a check-up, no shots or blood work. Well when the doctor wanted to give him a shot, he went crazy. He was screaming at the top of lungs and hitting me. I had never experienced a fit like this before and surely did not expect it at age 12. We are just getting started with TSS and wrap around services. So while we wait for help, can anyone tell me are temper tantrums common among autistic children. I have been so busy the last 12 years doing research on seizures, I am a bit overwhelmed about the autism. I would appreciate any advice you might have. Thanks!

 

[pigletforever]

We are currently getting a diagnosis for DS4. The Drs. keep using Aspergers. Not sure what the difference between PDD and Aspergers is but from what I read there isn't much difference. Is there? Please educate me. It is nice to hear the tantrums decrease. I am learning to deal with them but boy is it hard somedays. I worry about going to Disney in October because things never happen as expected there but everyone tells me he will be fine because there is so much to distract him when he gets up set. I hope they are right.