Why do Hunter and Ryder have less autistic behaviors when they have a fever? I have noticed this phenomenon since Hunter was a toddler. I used to love it when he would get a fever because he would act like a typical child! No hyperactivity, his thinking was clearer, he was able to show affection, etc.
The same goes for Ryder. Ryder has better eye contact, an increased "awareness" of his surroundings, and he'll even say several words. Once the fever is gone, all of this disappears.
Both Ryder and Hunter have been sick with upper respiratory colds lately. Yesterday, Ryder was pacing the house and his pajamas bottoms were about to fall down. I said, "Ryder, pull up your pants." And he said, "Up!" Then tried to pull up his pants. I was blown away.
Then today, I heard someone playing the piano in the other room. I figured it was Mercedes playing hymns, because for every hymn she learns, her grandpa will pay her one dollar. I went in there and it wasn't Mercedes. It was Hunter! He has never taken a piano lesson in his life. He was playing hymns with BOTH hands. I felt his head, which was very hot, and his hands were icy cold. A fever! I was blown away.
So, the question now is, how do I get these kids to always have a fever?
coming from the medical field, I am very interested in your comments. I wonder if this is something other autistic kids experience as well. If they can find a pattern, they can find or make a medicine that would work to help these kids think more clearly. I would not want them to be harmed, but if they can find a way to raise thier temp a few degrees or find a connection between temp and metabolism.....oh I could go on all day. Great observation Steph. I do hope your kids are not too sick.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really strange! I need to pay attention to TC when he has a fever...but if he does have one, he is usually just calmer.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so amazing. I'm sorry they have to get sick with a fever for you to enjoy the benefit. It is so fascinating that it has got me thinking--not that I can do anything, but so amazing.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I showed my son Cooper Hunter's art from his blog page last night, he was so impressed, he knew exactly so some of the characters were....Link? from Zelda or something like that.
Stephanie, I have to admit the first thing I thought when I saw the picture is that it was a pregnancy test!! lolol
ReplyDeleteIt is incredibly interesting about the fever. Have you chatted about that with your neurologist? I wonder if there is a pattern with other autism spectrum kids...
OK, I just tried to post but I think my computer is possessed...ANYWAY I said in the other post that the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture is that it was of a pregnancy test! I have babies on the brain, evidently. The other thing I said is that I think the fever thing is really interesting. You should chate about that with your neurologist! Maybe they could do some sort of study...
ReplyDeleteI am new here! What a great blog :)
ReplyDeleteI'm new here too! I found your comment about the fever very interesting- it makes me wonder if your fevers are like our gum. Our Aspie son (possibly two aspies- we've never taken one for diagnosis) passes for normal when we give him gum to chew. As long as he can occupy his mind with movement and flavor his ability to focus improves. We cannot read without gum. He does not write without gum. He does not greet people without gum. Gum is our tool of the moment. I think the boys' brains work at such a fast rate (and go in many directions at once) that slowing the mind down with a physical challenge (like chewing or possibly fever) helps the rest of the brain focus on the more involved tasks.
ReplyDelete