| Autism In Children | | | | Children |
| There are numerous books on the shelf of the | | | | One possible positive affect of these extra |
| local bookstore so are survival guides for parents | | | | teenage hormones is that your autistic child might |
| of teens. And for good reason! For both parents | | | | actually have a growth and development spurt. |
| and children, the teen years are the a good | | | | Again, don't focus just on the outward changes of |
| amount of trying. We've been there so we | | | | your child but keep track of how he or she is |
| remember what it is like (though sometimes it | | | | doing developmentally. You may even notice a |
| looks as if it's as if we have forgotten). The | | | | new skill or interest appears when there had |
| fluctuations we tend to focus most of our | | | | previously been nothing! |
| attention on are the outward ones but it is the | | | | Great - take advantage of it and give your child |
| inner unrest the current we all go within so can | | | | the opportunity to continue to grow and develop. |
| cause the most distress, regardless of the grade | | | | Monitor any changes in your child and keep in |
| of ability or disability. | | | | close contact with the professionals in your child's |
| For parents, one of the hardest things to have to | | | | life so that you can ask questions and pass on |
| sort out is the lack of control within the duration | | | | information as needed. If your child is not part of |
| of the situation. This is heightened for parents of | | | | a social skills group before puberty, then this is |
| teens with autism as many of these kids mature | | | | definitely the time to get him or her involved. |
| physically on schedule but of course properties | | | | Here in San Diego CA we have a number of |
| are not emotionally equipped to situation with all | | | | community resources for people with disabilities. |
| that right now can bring. This can indeed foster | | | | Look around your community and you might be |
| extreme reactions and parents desire to be | | | | surprised at what you find! Remember to find |
| prepared. This is a little known fact, but | | | | that delicate balance between what is age |
| approximately one third of teens on the autism | | | | appropriate and what your child can handle given |
| spectrum will experience the onset of seizures. | | | | their developmental level and experience. |
| Even if the teen has never had any kind of a | | | | Getting suggestions from fellow parents of |
| seizure in his or her life, they can begin at this | | | | children with special needs, perhaps through |
| time of life. | | | | support groups, is the best way to quickly find |
| Thankfully, these usually end when puberty is | | | | these opportunities and get involved. Puberty and |
| over but is can be extremely scary during these | | | | the teen years are difficult for anyone. When you |
| years. Obviously, if you notice your child having | | | | have a disability it is even more so. Take |
| even tremors you should consult a doctor to see | | | | advantage of people and resources in your |
| if this might be seizure activity. If it is, there are | | | | community - reach out and give your child the |
| drugs available to treat it and it should be treated | | | | benefit of what is in his or her own backyard. |
| as one result of seizures can be a loss in | | | | Focus on transitioning from child to young adult |
| functioning. and, as we parents of autistic children | | | | and consider what your child needs to learn to be |
| know, it is devastating to go "backwards" when | | | | safe. Be patient - this too will pass! Don't let your |
| we have worked so hard to keep our child | | | | child suffer anymore! Lead your child out of his |
| moving forward as much as possible. Autism In | | | | world through Autism In Children program now! |