Diagnosis: Mild autism/ PDD-NOS
Therapies/Treatment: OT and Speech Therapy

Before AIT

Ross was 5 ½ years old when he first came for an AIT assessment. He had a diagnosis of mild autism/ PDD-NOS. He had the GFCF diet, Biomed, OT and Speech Therapy.

Russ had poor eye contact and showed inappropriate behavior. He had poor socialization skills and had difficulty forming friendships and interacting with peers . It was also observed that he does not know the appropriate use of toys.

He would toe walk and hand flap at times. He disliked parties and noisy gatherings. He also had poor handwriting skills.

Movement:

Ross also had issues with balance and coordination and did not do well at sports. He would freeze or stop at time while walking. He would flap hands . He would also jump repetitively.

Language:

Ross also has issues with grammar and language development. He has difficulty finding words to express himself. He has distorted speech.

Ross needed instructions repeated several times. He had problems recalling what was heard last month, last year. He often relied on visual cues such as picture print to understand what was being said to him. He also speaks too fast.

He is easily distracted by noise. He often daydreams and shows a delayed response to questions. He also hums and makes noises to himself. He also makes extreme high or low pitched sounds for no apparent reason. He likes memorizing words to songs or stories or video.

Sound Sensitivity:

Ross doesn’t like to have haircuts. He can’t concentrate around noise or crowds. When around certain sounds, he doesn’t like , he turns it off. He often doesn’t respond when name is called. He appears deaf or hearing impaired at times, it was noted that hearing aids were even made for him.

He also refused to blow dry his hear with a hair dryer.

Sleep Habits:

Ross wants someone to sleep with him. He snores or talks in his sleep.

Tactile Habits:

Ross doesn’t like his clothes wet. He likes to touch other’s hair and face. He only wears short sleeved shirts.

Self-Help:

Ross was toilet trained at 3.5 years old. He has difficulty blowing his nose and needs assistance in dressing.

Habits/Behaviors:

Ross doesn’t make eye contact. His demands must be met immediately. He doesn’t like to be told no. He throws a tantrums when a request is denied or is told to do something he doesn’t like.

He grinds his teeth. He would laugh and giggle unexplainably. He likes to play alone. He cries or tantrums in anticipation of new environments. His routine is very important to him and needs to be briefed ahead of time. He is hyperactive. He lines toys up.

Auditory:

Ross has history of hearing loss. He doesn’t listen to instructions 50% or more of the time. He doesn’t listen carefully to directions and it’s often necessary to repeat instructions. He has a short attention span and is easily distracted by background noise.

He has difficulty with phonics. He also experiences difficulties with sound discrimination. He forgets what is said after a few minutes. He displays difficulty recalling what was heard last week, month, year.

He has difficulty recalling a sequence that has been heard. He experiences difficulty following auditory directions and frequently would misunderstand what is being said. He doesn’t comprehend many words and has poor verbal concepts for his age.

He learns poorly through verbal instruction. He has a language problem and articulation problem. He displays delayed response to verbal stimuli .

Mom’s Expectations:

I expect Ross to improve in his speech, to be able to pronounce words more clearly. I want him to be able to narrate events.

I hope to improve his coordination and balance and for him to lose his fear of stairs.

First AIT Testimonial

2nd Day of AIT

Hi, everyone. Just wanted to share what happened on the second day of our AIT. Ross doesn’t recall events unless prompted so we were surprised on our 2nd day. This is how it went.

During breakfast:
Ross: One lion is dancing. In the TV.
Mom: Where? ( I thought he would mention a show)
Ross: In the hospital. I’m sick. (with a sad face)
I put pampers. I put my legs up.
Mom: oh, you put diapers.
Ross : No! I put pampers.
The doctor put injection on my hand. ( raising his hand)
Mom : Did you cry?
Ross : No…. I call the nurse. She check my ears. I drink medicine from the cup. I drink gatorade.
Mom : you had gatorade?
Ross : Ya, yaya brought gatorade.
This happened last Feb and he has never spoken about it till last week

May 31, 2008

Hi , We just finished our 1st week of AIT at STLC and I wanted to share Ross’ improvements. Ross is 5 and verbal but he couldn’t make kwento, when we ask him, he’ll answer using a word or two, then ask again, then answer with a word or two again, at times using a complete sentence. Isang tanong, isang sagot ba

On our second day, he started to talk about his hospitalization last Feb! We were at the dining table and it was the first time that I really felt like we were conversing! My husband couldn’t eat anymore as he listened to Ross. Syempre, tears started to fall from my eyes the 3rd, 4th and 5th day were full of surprises as well as he started to use words and ask questions we haven’t heard from him prior to AIT

Medyo hyper during lunch time and may pagka emotional lang lately. But I can deal with those basta magkwento pa siya! hahaha
I thank the Lord that we have therapies and support groups here in the Philippines!!

June, 8, 2008

On a funny note:
in the car on the way home from ait last week…
Ross was looking at a mole I have…
Ross: I’m Doctor Ross, this is Professor. (pointing to his brother)
Mom: What kind of doctor are you? What do you do?
Ross: I check moles. I remove your mole. (got the straw from my drink and pretended to operate on my mole!!)

One Year After

Ross is about 6 ½ years old now.

Movement:

Ross no longer has problems with balance, equilibrium and coordination. He no longer freezes or stops while walking. Hand flapping is rarely seen. He still jumps repetitively but its not as bad as it used to be.

Language:

Ross made a big improvement in terms of language. He no longer needs instructions repeated several times. He now can recall what was heard or said last week, month, or year. He no longer needs visual cues to understand what is being said. He no longer daydreams.

His response time in answering questions is faster and shorter. He no longer hums or makes noise to himself.

Ross is more expressive now compared to before. He has less distorted speech. He plays with toys more appropriately now. There are still some words that he has difficulty in speaking clearly.

Handwriting has improved. Ross is less distracted by himself or others. He is better at finding his things. He doesn’t memorize words to songs and videos as much as he used to. He also speaks more slowly now.

Sound Sensitivity:

He can now tolerate having a haircut. In terms of focus and concentration, he is much improved. He tolerates sounds better. He responds now when his name is called. He no longer acts like he is deaf or hearing impaired. And now allows his hair to be blow dried.

Sleep Habits:

He no longer wants someone to sleep with him or her. He still snores or talk in sleep.

Tactile Sensitivity:

He now can tolerate wearing wet clothes and long sleeved shirts.

Self-Help:

He still needs help with blowing his nose. He is better at dressing himself now.

Habits/Behaviors:

Ross no longer insists that his demands be met immediately. He rarely cries or has tantrums now in anticipation of new environments. He no longer insists on his routine. He takes it easily now, when he is told no. He likes to seek the company of other people.

Improvements in behavior noticed : his laughing and giggling as well as his teeth grinding has lessened. Eye contact is significantly better. He no longer lines up toys like he used to.

He is still hyperactive. He throws tantrums when request is denied.

Auditory:

Ross pays attention and listens carefully to instructions now. It is no longer necessary for instructions to be repeated. Attention span is better. He is less distracted by background noise.

He has less difficulty with phonics and sound discrimination. He no longer forgets what is said after a few minutes.

He now comprehends a lot of words. No longer demonstrates below average performance in one or more academic areas.

Mom’s Notes:

According to his mom, his grammar gradually improved after AIT. He is no longer confused when it comes to past tense. His socialization is better. He tries to interact more instead of atching from the sides.

He would tell his grandmother “ You, move it.” Or “ You dance.” And actually asked his AIT therapist : “You are pregnant?”