Advice

"I have a four year old son, Christopher, who is autistic and loves music. He hears a song once, and he will hum the song. It is so amazing how he will hear a song for the very first time, and then hum it right after the song is over. My son is non-verbal. Why is it that he can't pick up speech in that manner? Can you please give me some advice on how I can help my son start talking? Thank you for your time." Irene
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"I'm not sure about the exact term, but it may be concept imagery. My son has excellent reading and spelling skills; however, he can't always answer or sequence events from a story that has been read. If it was video, he does extremely well. What can we do as parents or the teachers do to be able to help him. He will be in 4th grade next year. A lot of times he is accused of not paying attention or listening, but we feel this plays off the other thing. It effects all subjects at school since everything plays off of reading comprehension. Any suggestions or information would greatly be appreciated. Thank you." DH
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"My son just turned 7 and we started potty training him and he's doing really good --> but never poops in the toilet, always in his pants. How can I get him to poop in the toilet? I would like to find a picture of showing the pooping, but that's impossible." Patty
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"Hi, I'd just like to know if you have any information on how to help my 4 year old son, who was just diagnosed with PDD-NOS, improve on his fine motor skills; such as shoelace tying, writing, snapping, zippering, etc. Thanks for your help." Sincerely, NR
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My son is 5 years old, and his "stimming" is jumping up and down. Now that he's getting older, I wish to teach him that this behavior is best appropriate at our house and not in public where it draws so much attention. What can I do?" Joann
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"My almost seven year old ( dx mild high functioning autism) has excellent one word recognition. However when reading, he has trouble tracking words with his eyes. He gets lost on the page easily. Often he looks away. He stutters through the words. Any suggestions? Would larger text help? Are there any reading programs that might help? He's being retained in first grade. He also has absence seizures (being treated) and has trouble tracking objects thrown to him." Joan
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"My 6 year old son (high functioning) recently ran away from home. He made it about 1/3 of a mile down our street and was found standing next to the lake near our home. When I tried to explain the dangers of his running away, focusing mainly on stranger safety, he brushed aside my warnings. He is convinced that he doesn't have to worry about anyone trying to take him or hurt him because he is a "tough guy" and can take care of himself. Do you have any ideas on how I can present this very difficult issue to him in a manner that he will accept or understand? I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide." H. T. G.
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"Is there someone who could help me with a student (age 7) who compulsively bites others? How would I use the picture symbols to modify his behavior? I am a teacher in Georgia." SW  
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"My daughter is 4 years old and was recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS. Recently, she has become very uncomfortable in certain situations, when we are out in public. I think this may be happening more now, because she understands more, as she grows and gets older. It usually happens in a new place where she has never been. She begins to clench her jaw and her heart races. Sometimes, she will also hold onto herself in her crotch area. I usually talk to her and try to calm her. Since that does not work, I will end up leaving the place. I guess I am more worried when this happens at school when I am not there, and the staff is unable to calm her down. My daughter has a paraprofessional with her most of the day, but it appears that the only thing that works is to remove her from the situation. Are there ways to calm her down, besides removing her from the situation? What is the best thing to do, when this happens?" Ann
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"I wondered if you had any info to share about the problem of "learned helplessness". Do you have any info we can use to educate parents about it? Thanks for all your help." MC
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