firstly there are grops on here for Autism, Aspergers syndrome and disability kids you could join where you can get support from others who are in the same boat.

Dr Tony Attwood might be one to contact for advice too. Google him, he's well known in the Autism world.

You need to be strong for your sister and if you love this little girl be her advocate because mum is likely to break down nad listen to the "I'm sorry I cant help" dialogue. Also diet can help. Gluten free casein free and also www.fedup.com.au can help you out with this.

Good luck.

I agree with the advice that the others have mentioned. However I found that if I treat my nephew as if he is "normal" the tantrums are less although still a challenge when they are in full force. You need to encourage them to do the "right" things and be careful of what sets your child off. You still need to remain firm with them but do not allow them to hurt you, themselves or anyone else if you can help it. Social situations are difficult, but I'm sure there would be others in your community or near by that have the same problem. Try making friends with them because the extra support that you can give each other really helps.

I know that it's hard but you need to try and live a "normal" as possible life for you and your child. Good luck

Mild Autism is basicly in a nutshell a learning and social thing. my son is almost 7 and he doesnt understand happy, sad, angry etc. most of the time he is either overly happy or crying (can be very trying)

with the tantrums it is best to remove anything that will hurt him, ie move him elsewhere and let him "cool down" even now I have to pick up my son who is almost the same height as me and remove him.

development wise it all depends on weather he regresses like my son has (he is now classed as high functioning autism) there are some stories on here about how the child developed normal to standards then one day went backwards, other stories such as mine, my son was always behind in milestones (he still at 7 can not catch a ball or use things like sissors well)

My suggestion would be is to google the autism society where u are and get info from there. The Australian ones are great. they have info seminars all the time and camps for the kids when they are older.

As for the schooling, it all depends on the work she wants to put in now. if she starts teaching him now and as well as after school when he goes, get him into a solid routine he will be ok.

feel free to minti mail me for anything.

Google "Autism Societ of America" you will find some good information there.

All the best

• I have a friend that has  a son that has mild autism, however he is a little older and is now in school! They taught him to recognise when he was going to overact(with the help of their gp) or chuck a tanny about nothing and he eventually new when to go to his room and read or something so as to settle himself down, he then would come back out after settling and apologize to everyone!!! So maybe you need to set mild boundaries and try to teach your son to recognise when he is going to become unsettled and set a spot or room where he can learn(slowlyas he is only young) to settle himself and start to recognise when its going to happen. He still needs to learn the fundamentals of right and wrong (including the concept of listening to you)but perhaps showing him what he does is not really right and what he can do to help himself settle it then he may start to understand the basics for you... It will still be hard but you just have to be gentle but firm in what you try to do to help him!!!

HI, my son has Asperger's/mild autism.  When he was that age he was difficult alright!  If he thinks he's being "played/judged" he will soak it.  These children are very intelligent and take offense easily.  Early intervention is supposed to help wonders--it is now that my son is 12 that it's being noticed that he is in fact different.  Social situations are the biggest challenge for him, not understanding social cues.  I wish her much luck and just keep on loving him!

A google search will bring up a huge amount of info on autism and related disorders. Info from medical sites and autism associations is usually the best. Your sister should get in touch with an autism association for information, assistance and support. It would be good if you did to, so that you could understand your nephew and what your sister has to deal with far better. I've linked a few minti articles on the subject above. Hope that helps.

Cheers, DA