My son has autism what do I do now?

[Mamma Joy]

The biggest thing to remember, of course, is that, although YOU are in shock, God is never thrown for a loop. He knew what he was doing when he placed this child into your home. He will give you the wisdom to reach your child, emotionally, physically, AND educationally. Also remember, he is the same child he was two weeks ago. This "label" doesn't change that precious little boy you already know.

Oh how true!! God has designed this time for this diagnosis to give you the peace and understanding how to teach and train your son. His grace is sufficient for you. Just as with any challenge in life God is there with us when we recieve the diagnosis, He is there through it all, to quote an old song (Through it all by the Booth Brothers if you get a chance to hear it please do, many times it helps to have a tune in our minds to help quiet the fear.)

"If I never had a problem, how could I know that He could solve them,and how would I know what faith in God could do"

It wasn't until going through a challenge in my life that I realized something while reading the scriptures (really I was searching for a hope to cling to) I read this
Mark 11:21-24 Now I have faith but I am a pretty conservative Christian. But when I read this portion "Be thou removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart,...
Does not doubt in his heart! It's not about all the thought s that reel through our minds of impending doom, or failures, or unworthiness that count it. It is what we believe in our hearts at the end of the day, when everything else is quiet or gone, do we believe that HE can. It is in our weakness HE is made strong in us, and through us. We need to make our thought conform to the word and that will come in time. Honestly not one of us could properly teach and train our children without His help and guidance. I have been homeschooling many years now and know that no matter who you are there will be good days and bad days,days that fly by, and days that drag on, but no matter what His Word will be spoken into our children,our selves, by our children, in our homes and that alone makes a huge difference. I'll keep praying for you.
Joyanna

[Tansy]

Right before P/S ended the special-ed teacher called me and suggested my child has Autism a.k.a. aspergers. But since she had been homeschooled they need to wait a year before allowing the tests that show learning disabilities. I was seriously annoyed. But God lead me and my hubby to this place ---> http://www.littlegiantsteps.com/ndlist.php Little Giant Steps. We had our evaluation last week and My very grumpy over math child did her math in a flash fact review sheet in 48 seconds today beating her previous score. (its not a short worksheet either first time was 2:49 seconds).

I have been spending 3 hours a day in intense therapy engaging large motor skills, fine motor skills, auditory, visual, eye tracking, deep pressure/ massage type stuff, and cross body work outs. It's getting faster as I combine listening to mozart with the fine motor skill stuff. All to make the brain more efficient. I did lots of similar stuff when she was 2-3 years old with her OT and PT. the reason were intense is that we need to prep her for going back to P/S.

Were plugging one ear and all sorts of weird stuff but My daughter ran across the grass... Like seriously she never runs across the grass to get to the play ground. She will walk 3x's as far if there is a side walk. This was a huge change, plus she is asking to Do the math.

This place did not stick label on my child they gave me practical things I can do with her so she will become a child who can cope, and eventually a productive Adult. They showed me how to teach her so the information sticks. And gave me insights into why she acts the way she does. It was a huge help and it feels great I have some one I can call if I need help. Next year when the school sticks the label on her I'll see what happens, I may bring her home again since starting this stuff her attitude has really changed. (she was singing "I have the best Mommy in the car 2 days ago! this from Miss Grumpy.) I almost ran a red light I was so surprised.

I'm all for the Private OT and Speech I used Private speech and I'm really glad I did.

[yayadaisy]

thank you for all the support and prayers! I am finding a lot of resources and am starting to feel better about this. This is not a bad thing it is just a way of life for us from now on. I can do this with God leading the way. He has a plan and always has. He will always provide for us whatever we need. I am feeling so much more confident right now and I know it is do to the prayers you ladies have been saying. It is amazing the power of prayer! We all know what prayer can do, but when we see it working in our own lives it really makes a person think again how amazing and wonderful God is! Thanks you all so much!

Sheila

[spidermansmum]

Sheila- Im glad you are feeling our prayers and support.

[my3sons]

Sheila - I'm coming late to this thread, but as I read through each post here, I can see God's hand at work in the hearts and minds of each person on this thread. I want to encourage you that many, many moms use HOD with dc with a lot of different specific learning needs. I have every confidence in your ability to teach your ds using HOD, in your homeschooling, and in your ds's ability to thrive and learn. God has appointed such a special task for you here, and He promises to equip us to do all that He has purposed for us to do. He will equip you to do this; He truly knows your every need and He will provide. Just think - this is part of His divine purpose for you - and you are bringing Him such glory by stepping out in faith to do it! How blessed your ds will be with your time together, and that blessing will come back to you tenfold.

The chorus to the Christian song "Held" by Natalie Grant has helped me through some tough times, when I don't know what's ahead, if I'm not sure how I'll get through it, and when I feel confused or alone. When my ds was born very prematurely, in the NICU for weeks, when he wasn't walking etc. when he should have been, when he had to wear a helmet... through all of that and more this song was a support to me. The more I listened to it, the more I felt peace wash over me, that God was truly there with me through it all, and I felt held in His Almighty grasp.
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held.

May you continue to be held in His grasp and surrounded by His love as you begin this exciting journey with your precious son!

In Christ,
Julie

[yayadaisy]

Julie that is such a wonderful song! I have just looked over LHFHG. I got it last year to use with my dd, but ended up moving her into BLHFHG with big brother! And really I don't think any of it will be to hard for him and if we just do one page a day it will leave plenty of time to work on things that he may find hard! I am so excited again for school now! I am thinking we will start soon, but will have to see how all the thearpies work out. My one question is should we do reading everyday or just every other day. I was thinking just doing it every other day but wonder if he would do better if we did that everyday?

Sheila

[water2wine]

My one question is should we do reading everyday or just every other day. I was thinking just doing it every other day but wonder if he would do better if we did that everyday?

My dd is not autistic so take that for what it is worth. She has CP and for her definitely reading every day has been the way to go. Even if one day you are just having them read aloud while waiting in the therapy waiting room. Just a little something to keep it going. We do not even take summer off or long breaks with reading. It may be different with your child but just wanted to offer what we do.

[my3sons]

Julie that is such a wonderful song! I have just looked over LHFHG. I got it last year to use with my dd, but ended up moving her into BLHFHG with big brother! And really I don't think any of it will be to hard for him and if we just do one page a day it will leave plenty of time to work on things that he may find hard! I am so excited again for school now! I am thinking we will start soon, but will have to see how all the thearpies work out. My one question is should we do reading everyday or just every other day. I was thinking just doing it every other day but wonder if he would do better if we did that everyday?

Sheila

That sounds like a super idea! I agree with water2wine, that a little bit of reading every day goes a long way, and would be better than a lot of reading a few days. However, you will know what would work best for your little guy! I love your attitude here, Sheila - there you go bringing God glory again. What a good feeling that is catching!

In Christ,
Julie

[spidermansmum]

Sheila we find everyday works better for us because he knows what to expect and that helps alot

[blessedwith2]

Sheila,

We will keep you and your family in our prayers. The first thing that God placed on my heart when I read your post is that the label does not change who your son is. You are the one who knows who him best and will be the one MOST invested in finding what works for him. It is true what you've read...autism is an umbrella term and what works for one child may not work for another. You will be the one best able to find what works best for your child, not needing to implement a certain method because it works for the "majority" of 8 children in a classroom, like a PS teacher may need to do. May God bless your teaching (and learning) this year and keep you refreshed in knowing you are following His will!