My three year old autistic son has been going to speech therapy and seeing an OT therapist. The speech therapist is very nice and the new OT therapist seems nice. The last OT therapist made the remark that with some things we needed to break him down. Maybe he meant he has to learn that somethings he has to do but I wouldlike some other opinions. This upset me. To me I think what if we break down the part of him that makes him who he is. Especially with him having autism. I would really like to hear opinions from others and hear from others whose children are attending this type of therapy. They say it is good for him but sometimes I wonder. It seems like they want him to grow up so fast and I feel as long as he is developing in a normal way just slower there shoudl be no problem I always thought children just developed at different levels.

Your child is just fine. Children labeled with ADD, ADHD, Autism, Bi-Polar, Aspergers, ECT. are truly gifted spiritual beings. These children are living dimensionally and that can make it harder for the parent and care giver to understand the child. I work with gifted children and truly love all that they have to teach me. There are so many techniques that will empower the parent and encourage the child to reach there best potential. Take a look at my website and contact me if you have any questions I can answer. http://www.thespiritsaid.webs.com look under classes continued for Empowering the Parents of Gifted Children. Light and Love... 

Hi Mary. My son, who will be three in November 1st, has been in speech therapy, pediatric language class, and OT since last Christmas. When he first started OT, his therapist said the same thing. He didn't want to swing, or have to wait for things, and she felt like we should make him. One day she wanted him to swing, and he didn't want to. (We later figured out that activities that confine him causes problems for him) but she wanted us to try, so we did, and after screaming for five minutes in that swing, she finally let him out, only to find that he couldn't calm himself and bring himself back to a level to do any more therapy for the rest of that session. But working together, we figured out Terrys (my son) boundries, and how hard you could and counldn't push him. Of course, us being the mothers, we don't like pushing them at all, we juat want to learn at their pace and have fun the whole time. :)  But the therapist usually know what they are doing. We figured out a speed that pushed him a little past his comfort zones, but not the point of a breakdown. and with that, he has came forward dramatically. He is about to start a special pre-k program for children with disabilites, and I am TERRIEFIED because I have to leave him, what if the teacher tries to push him to hard??!?

I know I am a month behind...

Mary, I have the same issues.  And Tessa, same here.  For me it is so hard to tell what is "autism" behavior and what is being spoiled, or just wanting things a certain way.  Last year my son's PreK teacher wanted him to give up some of his routines and rituals.  I had totally played into everything OCD he did, like which shoe to put on first, or which cup to drink milk and which to drink juice.  She said no more and I was appalled.  My husband was happy.  I thought that it would hurt him, hurt his little brain to get disorganized and out of sync with his "usuals."  But in the end, she was right.  He is doing great and has very few OCD tendencies.

It is hard.  Such a fine line on what to push and not.  What's a brat and what's special needs?  I think every kid is different.  Listen to the professionals, but also trust your gut.  YOU are the MAMA!!!

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Jean

http://www.MommyToTwoBoys.blogspot.com