Autistic child?

Ok so my little brother (he's 5) has low autism. I know he's not one of the worst cases, but sometimes he is too much too handle. I am worried about my mother, mostly. She is 50 and getting a little too old to keep up with his "different" behavior.

Somtimes, he can be nightmare. When he throws temper tantrums, he bites himself and throws things and cries until he's blue in the face. Even when he's not pitching a fit, he's a handful. He is going on 6, and still does not understand th concept of "potty training", and has barely mastered forming sentences (eventhough he's not that great at it). It's very frustrating bc I can see him TRYING to get what he wants to say across, but he just doesn't know how. And even more frustrating is his social skills. It's very sad to watch him try to play with other kids, but he just fit in. And trying to get him to listen (forget MIND) you is almost impossible. He's very good at zoning out people.

My mom has quit her job to take care of him...help

...just to make things clear. my mom has gotten help for him since he was 2. Yes, he has gotten medical attention and attends therapy (speech and occupational) and is even in the Special Ed. dept at school. His condition and my experiences with him have led me to work for a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy myself, to help other kids like him.

Please don't think that me or my mother would sit aside and just watch this happen without getting help. That's just an insult...

Sad to say, but the little guy may need to be medicated. There are medications to help calm him especially since he is autistic and may not respond well to traditonal methods of nuturing. Before you resort to this measure, try to see if there are reasons for these temper tantrums and try to prevent them early on. It sounds like he throws them when he has trouble communicating. The most interesting thing is, is that most normal children throw tantrums when they cannot communicate an idea clearly. Try to be extremely patient and try different ways of communicating with him and if this doesnt help, see a pediatrician that specializes in children with autism. Hope this helps!

there are services that can help Social or family services...
You or your mom might be able to take a class or two to help you cope with the challenge, but please try to get help... it is out there for you, you just have to find it and...

check out the book called sanctuary. It's based on real life energy work and they've been having alot of success with autism. Also, there is an autism scholarship (if you're mom doesn't have much money)

it's a no brainer to take him to a dr. and do it as soon as possible.....i feel so sorry for him...can you imagine how miserable he feels and so much pain?????i don't think so....or you would have gotten help by now....so sad

You and your mother are to be honored. Your mother is at an age where such a problem may be more than she can take. Does she have a therapist and do you? It is extremely important for family members of any chronically person to have support systems and or therapy. You just cannot do this alone. If there are no support groups for family members, start one. You could probably use the support group for credits. As a person with chronic pain, I have seen reaction of relatives and the wear and tear that they must go through. I had a support system started for chronic pain and one for the relatives. They were successful.. Keep the faith.