Comments on: Last Week’s Top Posts http://www.blisstree.com/articles/last-weeks-top-posts-13/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:51:35 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Janis Mathews http://www.blisstree.com/articles/last-weeks-top-posts-13/comment-page-1/#comment-559750 Janis Mathews Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:26:32 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/last-weeks-top-posts-13/#comment-559750 My 14 year old nephew grabbed his father from the back seat over the weekend, causing deep scratches & almost causing an accident. They pulled over until they could calm him down. My sister said the family is now afraid to drive anywhere with him. He has increasingly isolated himself & has attacked his mom & his 16 year old sister as well, primarily scratching & hair pulling. He is non-verbal & communicates by pointing to a letter board. What's wrong? He says he's never going to have a friend, or get married. He says he's tired of being autistic. He has lost hope of getting better. He's also intensely jealous of his sister. He has only been communicating for about 3 years, & has proven to be a good student (with an aide), reading above grade level & taking advanced math classes. However, we need to help him learn coping skills. I hope there are behavioral health services that can help a disabled teen coping with depression & violent reactions. The article about the 15 year old from Ottawa helped me to understand that we need to take action to help my nephew now & not wait for a more devastating event. I'm so sorry for all parents of children & teens with autism that have such a hard time getting services & help. I also really appreciate Kristina Chew's tone of calm reflection on what her family experiences, & am reassured that we are not alone. My 14 year old nephew grabbed his father from the back seat over the weekend, causing deep scratches & almost causing an accident. They pulled over until they could calm him down. My sister said the family is now afraid to drive anywhere with him. He has increasingly isolated himself & has attacked his mom & his 16 year old sister as well, primarily scratching & hair pulling. He is non-verbal & communicates by pointing to a letter board. What’s wrong?

He says he’s never going to have a friend, or get married. He says he’s tired of being autistic. He has lost hope of getting better. He’s also intensely jealous of his sister. He has only been communicating for about 3 years, & has proven to be a good student (with an aide), reading above grade level & taking advanced math classes. However, we need to help him learn coping skills. I hope there are behavioral health services that can help a disabled teen coping with depression & violent reactions.

The article about the 15 year old from Ottawa helped me to understand that we need to take action to help my nephew now & not wait for a more devastating event. I’m so sorry for all parents of children & teens with autism that have such a hard time getting services & help. I also really appreciate Kristina Chew’s tone of calm reflection on what her family experiences, & am reassured that we are not alone.

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