I heard about this site, but doesn't look like it's well used yet.
I'm looking for other parents with Primary-age children who have autism and/or nonverbal.
My son has PDD-NOS, is nonverbal and uses ASL. He just joined Sunbeams, and it's been a bit of an adjustment. I'd love to talk with others who have experience with this.
Heather
Hi Heather, my 6 years old
Submitted by Angel on
Hi Heather, my 6 years old son was recently diagnosed with PDD. We still kind of puzzled to exactly what it means. I would love to keep in touch with you and talk about our little ones! Send me a private message if you want. Take Care.
Autism
Submitted by Randy on
I have a 10 year old son and an 8 year old son, both with autism. I've learned a lot about the disorder. Primary was a bad experience for our family; hopefully you live in better wards.
HFA/Asperger
Submitted by Songstress on
Hi. I have a 15 year old with HFA and subsequent serious mental health problems. Church is a nightmare and I often wonder if there is any point taking him, because he finds it so stressful. It's a shame this site isn't used more, because it can be a very lonely existence in the Church when you have a child with a disability.
asperger
Submitted by dee on
I just found this site today. I plan on sharing it with my ward/stake.
I have a younger brother with Angelman's syndrome (mental age 3 - chronological - middle age) Growing upwith him was an adventure at church. We learned to sit/stick together. One Sunday, he saw a family member on the stand during sacrament and crawled over 10 rows during the sacrament to get to that person. He was very happy when he reached his goal!
I have a son with mild autism spectrum (looks like aspergers) For most of his growing up, we didn't understand what was wrong. He got invited out/kicked out of school in 7th/8th & 9th grade. Before the diagnosis, he struggled with going to church and begged not to go. I told him that was where he belonged, so we went. I wish I listened/understood his social issues better at the time. I thought it was a teenager thing and I needed to hold the line.
On medical advise we took him off wheat and dairy. It took a few months but his mental clarity improved. He eventually graduated honor roll at high school and made great strides in athletics. He is currently inactive and has negative feelings for religeon in general.
I remember my mom staying home from church with all of us (8 kids) because someone said hurtful things/behaved inappropriately towards her & my little brother (different ward, before the hurdles during sacrament meeting) She kept us home for 3 months before she could bring herself to go back. My dad never went with her. I greatly admire her for doing it. Where would I be if she had stayed home? The church provides me with a source of truth & usually loving fellowship. (We're all in a state of growth)
It's been 3 months since you posted. How are things with your son?
Dee
My four year old Abigail with Autism
Submitted by Jblanderson@gma... on
Finally, a site where I can connect with other parents experiencing the same frustrations. Attending church has been difficult with my four year old daughter with autism. I even started a blog to vent and seek help. (www.conqueringautism.blogspot.com).
Like the comment above, I took Abby off of wheat (gluten) and dairy (caesin) and it was like some of the "fog" was lifted.
She is just starting to gain vocabulary and loves to shout out things she can identify during sacrament meeting. Also, some of the older people don't understand autism and think we should discipline her better. She even shattered two glass candy dishes in the Bishop's office. We can't get her to go to Primary so she is still in nursey. Please check out my blog. Advice is much appreciated.
Nursery to Sunbeams transition
Submitted by Guest (not verified) on
My daughter is autistic and I'm worried about the Nursery to Sunbeams transition for her in January. Going to a class with no toys and where they expect her to listen (even though she has a hard time understanding) and talk (even though she mainly uses single words) is going to be tough. I cannot imagine her sitting still for sharing time with the entire Primary. In fact, due to low muscle tone it is physically difficult for her to do so. I'm going to call the Primary President and also see if we can meet with the Sunbeams teacher. I'm thinking the "suggestions for use of this manual in nursery" section of the Sunbeam Manual has some good ideas. And I think she will simply have to be allowed to take a toy or two into class and the teacher will have to have shorter lessons and more songs and activities than usual. I really don't want her to start hating going to church but Sunbeams class will have to adapt to her because she is not able to adapt to the class as it is. (Nursery has been great. We didn't have the chance to speak to the teachers before she started. When we did talk to them and tell them she's autistic, one said,"We noticed. But we love her." :-)