The little girl upstairs is autistic, and she is GOING OFF right now.

[iconoclastic cat]

I don't know why I'm posting this to DU, but something about a child screaming like someone chopped off her toe just rattles me.

That poor family. There are six people living up in that one-bedroom apartment: two grandparents, the parents, a baby, and the four-year-old autistic girl. I wish I could communicate with them (they only speak Cantonese). I could at least offer to help out or something, but they really try to scurry away when they see Ms. IconCat or myself. I tried to write something with the help of one of those Web-based English-to-Cantonese dictionaries, but I never had the guts to give it to them.

I wish I could do something, because they must be miserable and terrified: their daughter goes on these hour-long shrieking binges, and she doesn't even stop once she goes hoarse. Keep in mind that I can hear this through my ceiling, despite the thickness of the floors and walls; she must be putting everything she has into it. On the few occasions that I have seen her outside, she walks with both of her elbows locked straight down against her sides. I've never heard her talk, either. Only scream.

This is going to go on for a while. I should turn on the stereo or something.

Sorry for taking up bandwidth.

[Heidi]

1. Here, have a hug.

I feel for the child and her parents, and for you and Ms. IconCat, too. Maybe you could leave a little good neighbor gift for them ouside their door, just to let them know somebody cares?

:hug:

[iconoclastic cat]

5. I'm not the one who needs the hugs! And yeah, I'm always trying to talk

to the parents; I see them a few times a week. I think they're very young, too. They love their kids as much as any parent, and I know some genre of social services people have had contact with them. I also know that she's been to Children's Memorial (the premier children's hospital in Chicago), because she had a band on her wrist last year.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. For what its worth

my doctor works a lot with autistic kids, and is using the very latest research to help them. Does anyone in the family speak English? If so, check out this page (think I've got it right-Ask the Doctor) for a letter/answer on autism.

http://www.futurevisionsfoundation.org/fv4.html

[iconoclastic cat]

8. Thanks!

I know that the parents have a very limited understanding of English, so we don't talk in complete sentences. I know they have a computer and internet access (I helped the girl's father set up an AOL account). I'll give that link to them pronto.

[mzteris]

3. Check around

with some agencies - Social Services if you have no other recourse - but make sure they know they need a translator.

Check with Lutheran Family Services - around here they usually have foreign language resources available.

Sounds like these people really need some help.

[iconoclastic cat]

10. Yeah, I know that they've been working with a couple people.

Three different people have come up to see them (I know this because they always ring our intercom on accident). I also know that their daughter has been to Children's Memorial, which is one hell of a hospital.

[LynzM]

4. That must be really tough.

a) That many people in that much space, period.
b) Especially when you have an autistic child and,
c) Don't speak the local language to try to get help with it

I would seriously give them whatever you tried to write out in Cantonese. Even if it's wrong, I think it would mean a lot to them to know that someone cares and is trying to communicate, you know?

[iconoclastic cat]

6. I know that they are getting some help.

As for the message, I'll have to try writing a new one. I should go over to my college (only about ten blocks away) and see if one of the professors or a tutor might be able to help me out with that.

This kind of makes me wonder if they vaccinated the little girl with that all-in-one vaccine that contains thimerosal (which Illinois has not banned for some dumbass reason).

[LynzM]

17. The university is an excellent idea

Likely someone there could do some translation or point you in the direction of someone who could.

[iconoclastic cat]

19. Being a father-to-be (in 9 weeks), this scares the hell out of me.

Although I did read yesterday that the rate of new autism cases is decreasing slightly (perhaps because of awareness about the vaccine connection).

Edited for typos

[LynzM]

20. There are many things that...

Can go 'wrong' with having a child. But you have to just kind of go with it, be informed, make the best choices you can, and try not to worry too much. Otherwise, you're liable to make yourself insane (or more insane, LOL). You can't protect your child from everything, or control everything that might happen developmentally, but you just do the best you can! :hug:

[pretzel4gore]

7. that's why marijuana is illegal

cuz it calms down kids like this (it aLso cure seasickness, though virtually no one ever mention that)
when you think of it, our society is so damn rotten it needs a bush to destroy it

[Gatchaman]

11. Contact your local University (if you have one)

Any decent sized university or college will have some kind of chinese student association. Someone there should be able to go to these people and help them.

Sadly, I wouldn't recommend calling child protective services or anything of that nature. Their automatic response would be to take the kid, which would be a disaster.

[iconoclastic cat]

13. Thanks, I'll have to go over to my old school and see who's around.

I should be able to find someone in the FL dept.

[norml]

9. Time to move, don't you think?

It's a situation you can't solve.

Find a quieter place.

[iconoclastic cat]

12. Oh, it's not so bad that I'd want to move.

Not because of that, anyway. I have many other valid reasons to run from this building screaming!

[xultar]

14. I know how it feels to want to help but to be unable to. Cantonese are

proud people. It will be difficult for them to ask or accept help. Pen a note that says they have a friend and put your apt. number (not phone) on it and see how it goes.

They are probably embarassed, scared, and too proud to do what needs to be done for the girl. I'm sure there are programs out there that they can take advantage of for her sake.

[iconoclastic cat]

16. I know that they are receiving some sort of services.

As I posted above, I know that they're getting some sort of help.

[Obamarama]

15. Check around with some social service agencies....

I'm sure that in a megalopolis like Chicago, there must be a human services agency that offers services to immigrants in various foreign languages. Explain the situation, that you aren't reporting them for anything nefarious, but that you're concerned they might need some assistance. You may have to try a few different routes until you track someone down, but I have to think there is some agency somewhere in Chicago that could navigate the language/cultural barrier to assist if it is needed. Good luck, both with the noise, and in finding these poor people some assistance if it is required.

[iconoclastic cat]

18. Yeah, they are getting some help, as I explain upthread.

I know that they've been to Children's Memorial, which is a great hospital.

BTW, she's still going! I started this thread at 9:01, and now it's 9:25. That has to hurt her throat. Poor kid.

[Dastard Stepchild]

21. Poor family....

I work in social services in Chicago. Perhaps you could get in touch with this excellent group and make the connection with them... they in turn may make the connection with the family, and offer services that they have available.

http://www.asianhumanservices.org/index.html

This agency is based in Chicago. I've heard good things through the grapevine.

On edit: I note that you mention they have services working with them. I might still call AHS....sometimes Asian families aren't always connected to that resource.

[iconoclastic cat]

22. They are being helped by some organization,

as I mention upthread. I've seen various official-looking people with briefcases and clipboards come in and out of our building. I also know that they've been to Children's Memorial. I'll pass that link along, just in case. Thanks!

[tigereye]

23. what is hard is that even with a lot of services

even in-home ones, some kids will still have so much difficulty with communication ( esp. If they aren't verbal). Some services have staff to help the kids learn sign ( if non-verbal) or use picture cards to help the kids communicate. But sometimes, their frustration level is so high, that they just can't help it and often parents have no idea what to do. Some kids I have worked with can tantrum for hours, unfortunately.

Best of luck to them. And to your ears! :)

[NMMNG]

24. Autism is a very complex disorder

It can be very confusing and frustrating for people who have to deal with the Autistic person because they don't understand why that person is reacting the way they are. Small changes in routine, objects out of place, certain noises or tones, touch or any number of factors can cause agitation and outbursts. Sometimes what causes the upset seems to be nothing at all, and that can lead to significant family distress.

From the standpoint of the person with Autism things are no less frustrating. What seems of no consequence to a person without this disorder, such as a window shade that is only half-way up or a set of keys casually tossed on a table, can cause anxiety similar to that of being followed by a stranger in a dark alley in a person with Autism.

Temple Grandin is a high functioning woman with Autism. She has a PhD in Animal Science and she is an Assistant Professor at Colorado State University. She has contributed significantly to the humane treatment and slaughter of animals through her work. Below are a number her articles that help explain Autism from the unique perspective of a person who has the disorder.


FAQ About Autism

How to Think Like an Animal

An Inside View of Autism

I have no idea if these could be of assistance to your neighbors, but it's worth a try. I found that all of the professional/academic learning in the world wasn't worth even one of Temple Grandin's essays.