tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548560205914833324.post3682899496680702805..comments2023-04-23T00:16:48.148+01:00Comments on Questioning Answers: Wandering and autismPaul Whiteleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14288851488012254897noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548560205914833324.post-13285429440475062492012-10-09T19:44:27.604+01:002012-10-09T19:44:27.604+01:00Thanks for your comments Julie.
An interesting th...Thanks for your comments Julie.<br /><br />An interesting thought about fear and fearlessness in autism. Accepting that nightmares and indeed night terrors have been reported in cases of autism, it's an interesting question about whether the fear that perhaps regulates dangerous behaviour is present to the same extent in children with autism. <br /><br />In terms of the tracking side of things I wonder if perhaps that would be part of the continuation of this area of research in terms of the 'acceptability' of microchip devices. Noting that extended release formulations of certain drugs (e.g. risperidone) are already available (via injection), this is certainly not something totally new. More than that one wonders whether a simple transdermal patch would suffice?<br /><br />Might I suggest you have some very good ideas for your research project and dissertation.... Paul Whiteleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14288851488012254897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548560205914833324.post-52758377909846378492012-10-09T16:37:27.649+01:002012-10-09T16:37:27.649+01:00Thank you Paul for this posting, it is an area I h...Thank you Paul for this posting, it is an area I had not come across before. As a psychology student (MSC Health now) and parent of a 13 year old with a diagnosis from 2 years old, I completely understand the wandering aspect for this group, whether they be infant or older. <br /><br />I do ask myself though, whether wandering is actually one part of a wider issue based on 'fear'. If we consider the normally developing child, what actually prevents them from wandering? Most children will wander at some point, especially when presented with an array of distractions... oh the joy of taking a child shopping! BUT, most learn that this practice is dangerous. It is not unusual to see a young child, rooted to the spot, in the middle of a busy shopping area, crying its heart out because they "have lost my mummy". These children have separation axiety and are quite simply scared. Many young children become instantly fractious if they find their carer is no longer in sight and will often, after these negative experiences, keep checking to ensure mum is always in view, keeping close.<br /><br />Do ASD children do this? From my own experience, they do not. Is this a lack of fear within the child or simply a lack of caring/attachment (was I such a bad mother? :o). <br /><br />I would be very interested to see if studies have been done on fear in relation to danger in ASD children. Fear on an emotional, sensory and social level is well documented but it is the lack of fear for dangerous situations which interests me. I certainly consider, for example, the main character in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' to be autistic. What other child would climb that high with no regard to the perils of falling, the possibility of death? To climb hundreds of feet without a single twinge of adrenalin seems unnatural, so does this give any clues to lack of fear, and possible factors in wandering?<br /><br />Picking up on your thoughts for tracking etc. I can honestly say that if there were a way to tag my child when he were younger I would have paid for it. My dogs are microchipped, I could have had (but do not need I may add :o) a slow release contraception device injected under my skin and could go to my tattoo/piercing parlour and have a metal plate injected under my skin, to add external jewels of my choice. If there were a permanent (replaceable) under the skin tracking device for children I would have had one for both of my boys. Before anyone screams Ethics, there are many issues with this idea and therefore this is not an idea for JML to considering adding to their tele-shopping range.<br /><br />The current range of tracking devices certainly meet the needs of many parents or carers but cost may be prohibitive and it must be understood that the sensory nature of some ASD children will not suit certain items. It is however a start and that is extremely important in helping wanderers keep safe.<br /><br />Thank you again Paul for posting this.<br /><br />JulieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02752460528813795199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548560205914833324.post-8038076954266488932012-10-09T10:39:37.809+01:002012-10-09T10:39:37.809+01:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15419613546115592661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548560205914833324.post-86033922487448336092012-10-08T23:28:11.070+01:002012-10-08T23:28:11.070+01:00Many thanks for dropping by Joanna.
Indeed a ver...Many thanks for dropping by Joanna. <br /><br />Indeed a very interesting post and adding the 'human face' to the science discussed today.Paul Whiteleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14288851488012254897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548560205914833324.post-73991186638715570412012-10-08T22:52:52.963+01:002012-10-08T22:52:52.963+01:00Love this post, and agree that while wandering and...Love this post, and agree that while wandering and autism pairing seems like a BFD (big fat duh) to the autism world, studies like this one help increase awareness and education in particular for the law enforcement crowd. See my related blog post on my own experience here: <br />http://everybodystims.blogspot.com/2012/07/not-all-who-wander-are-lost.html<br /><br />It was interesting, to say the least. Great blog, I love science! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01170302455884482803noreply@blogger.com