Mild Autism Examples with a 3-Year-old

Simon has Autism level 1. It's sometimes called mild ABA. He has ABA in our home, and here are some examples.
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[@user-zj6yh7oc2p]

Simon is going to do very well in life. I think he will join mainstream school pretty soon. It's great to identify autism early and give them all the support they need. You guys are motivating others parents. I know it is not right to compare two autistic kids, but it gives a slight idea how does level 1 autism look like in a 3-year-old. My daughter's words have increased a lot since last few weeks. She has started to say her name when we ask her. She has started requesting for things with one word and try to maintain eye contact until we give her response. It is super exciting to see their progress.

[@7Aheadfamily]

That is great news

[@thomasschoeck9080]

It looks like Simon is already coming along pretty well. It seems like he’s at least two years ahead of where I was developmentally when I was his age (in most areas). I guess that’s the main difference between level one (like Simon has) and level two (like I most likely had when I was younger). My current symptoms are mostly level one and I still struggle with eye contact and I usually remember to say “please” and “thank you” but there’s sometimes a delay to the point where some people will occasionally say “You’re welcome” before I have the chance to get the words “thank you” out. This tends to happen to me in certain situations like at some sit-down restaurants when I am being seated (especially if it is late in the day).

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing ❤️. I love hearing your experiences ❤️

[@lexi_2021]

Hey, Thomas. Did you take some special therapies or go to any special school?

[@thomasschoeck9080]

@@lexi_2021 Not really, I was in a special education class in a regular school. The teacher (and teacher’s aide) were supposed to give me lessons to help with my socialization (and they even told my parents that they were doing so) but in reality all they did was send me to the principal’s office whenever I violated any social norms (usually without telling me what I did wrong first). From I remember any socialization training that I did have consisted of the occasional worksheet in which I would see a word like “happy” or “sad” and then the worksheet would have instructions on it to draw a line to the corresponding drawing of a facial expression. There was little or no real-world instruction about how to conduct myself in social settings aside from reminding me to say “please”, “thank you”, and “excuse me”. But again few if any examples were provided because it was assumed to be obvious. The only suggestion that I remember was to pretend to be interested in sports. Basically I was taught to mask my symptoms. If I did any hand stims (such as hand flapping) my teacher or teacher’s aide would hold my hands down. Often I would wake up the next morning with trigger finger symptoms (presumably due to inflamed tendon sheaths). I would have told my parents about this at the time but they claimed that they had my parents’ permission to do this. I still have no idea whether or not they were telling the truth about this. They didn’t work on social skills with me all that much but what they did with me was (as far as I can tell) ABA as it was usually practiced at that time. I did have some speech therapy but it was to work on saying words with the “f” or “th” sounds in them. The speech impediment in which my rs came out sounding like ws was never addressed. I had some adaptive PE but this mostly consisted of dribbling a basketball and tossing bean bags back and forth. This was back in the 1980s when not much was known about teaching social skills compared to today.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️

[@Java-D]

Simon is talking so good now!! His drawing is also impressive! I’m not a fan of aba but most of what you are doing in the video is basic playing and encouraging speech. You aren’t demanding eye contact, you aren’t making him earn anything or taking things away, and you aren’t requiring him to act any certain way that’s uncomfortable to him. He still has full autonomy and control over himself and his surroundings. I also don’t agree with forcing a child to share. Adults don’t share their favorite things. We would never be ok with people coming up demanding to have a turn with our phone, our laptop, our camera, sitting in our favorite chair, playing with our knick knacks, etc. Why would we expect a child to just mindlessly offer up their things?

[@7Aheadfamily]

That makes sense

[@higherground337]

Sweet Simon! The way he notices all the little details about the car. ❤

[@7Aheadfamily]

I know Right?! I love that!

[@user-eg8ht4im6x]

Simon is doing so well and your interactions with him are brilliant. It’s so lovely to see him interacting with you and his world he’s very good at drawing and is very creative. This program seems to be working well for Simon.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you. ❤️

[@FreckledThing]

Ohhh he is talking and drawing so well!!!! The attention to detail when he draws the car is amazing. This made me very happy, I am glad to see he's developing so well!!!! :)

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing ❤️💜❤️

[@thomasschoeck9080]

It’s good that Simon knows the color blue and words “eye” and “mouth”. I was around four-and-a-half when I learned words for parts of the body and I learned “blue” and other colors in kindergarten at age six.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Your memory is incredible. 😊

[@thomasschoeck9080]

The two best Dr. Seuss books that I can think of about adjusting to change are “Green Eggs and Ham” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Maybe Simon would enjoy those books if he’s not already familiar with them. The third book Simon might enjoy is not a Dr. Seuss book but “Harry the Dirty Dog” was also pretty enjoyable when I was younger.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Love that! Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@thomasschoeck9080]

It’s good that you have Simon working on jigsaw puzzles. This should help with his visual/spatial skills. This is especially important if Simon also has an underdeveloped right hemisphere or if perhaps a small stroke in his right hemisphere could have occurred in utero (as it did with me). If I were introduced to jigsaw puzzles earlier it is possible that my visual/spatial skills (and visualization in general) would be better than it is now. After Simon is good at jigsaw puzzles you will also want to ask his therapist about introducing some developmentally appropriate three dimensional puzzles in order to improve his 3D visualization skills. This is an area that I still struggle with today with my right hemisphere damage and underdevelopment from my right hemisphere stroke. In Simon’s case you still have the chance to build these skills early along with his language skills. From what my neurologist told me in 1995 most social and visual/spatial skills develop in about the first five years (before age six).

[@7Aheadfamily]

3D puzzles sound fun but difficult

[@thomasschoeck9080]

@@7Aheadfamily The first time I saw one was when I was in tenth grade Geometry (around age 16 (in the early 1990s)) that was too challenging for me but they may have some more basic ones for kids around Simon’s age. If they have any toy stores in your area you might check to see what they have for kids about three years old and up.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

[@MDari557]

I did this exact thing with my son who was undiagnosed till recently. He’s now 17. I had no idea it was ABA. Simon is doing GREAT! ❤

[@7Aheadfamily]

Look at you! Such an awesome mom!

[@MDari557]

@@7Aheadfamily Haha I don’t know about awesome.. I did my best though! 💕

[@7Aheadfamily]

I’m sure you are. ❤️ God bless you.

[@thomasschoeck9080]

It’s good to see Simon able to say “That one!”

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yes! 🙏 Thank you 🙏

[@mysterionz]

Has Simon ever had a bad experience with ABA/OT therapists before? You’re doing a great job btw Holly

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yes, we have, you can see that in this video, I believe…

[@7Aheadfamily]

ABA Therapy for Mild Autism and Severe Autism kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKO6qWOmjdmHjq8

[@7Aheadfamily]

Or this one…Parents & Doctor React to Mild Electric Shock ABA kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5uQoKSLg7Cgnbc

[@tamaraanderson7260]

Simon is so cute! It’s fun to see him learn!

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

[@littlejonathorn6860]

How was your Thanksgiving 7AheadFamily? I don’t remember if I saw a video. I’ll go back and look. I think ABA also works for toilet training. Example: “Who went to the bathroom 🚽?” Answer: “I am or I did.” Its about bringing awareness and learning how to communicate with loved ones and create positive patterns. Additionally this is one part of many of ABA. (My opinion)

[@7Aheadfamily]

We had a great Thanksgiving. We actually didn’t post a video this year about our Thanksgiving but we do have one that we did last year when I went to my brother’s house for Thanksgiving. - Holly

[@7Aheadfamily]

Autistic Meltdowns for Thanksgiving kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKbaZI16jp2Gr6s

[@ericlee6495]

Hey 7 ahead family I can’t wait to meet you 😊 and Simon are so cute 🥰 😊❤

[@7Aheadfamily]

❤️

[@emilygenerallee9071]

Simon is starting to talk! 💬

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yes! We’re so excited. 😊

[@lexi_2021]

Simon is perfect. He has covered almost all his milestones.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️

[@thomasschoeck9080]

I think I learned how to say my name in Kindergarten at age six (or just before I turned six). That was also when I learned my middle name, last name, address, and phone number. Before that I usually thought that my name was simply “Tom” or “Tommy” but I think I may have sometimes responded to “Thomas” even as far back as age two or three, but it was intermittent. Also I think I was at least in first grade (if not second) before I realized that two or more people could have the same first name.

[@7Aheadfamily]

You have a very good memory

[@manny35000]

Hello, for my son I read to him the misters and misses from Roger Hargreaves. That's help him to grow up his vocabulary and see the feeling on the face.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I don’t know that book. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the idea.

[@mysterionz]

Also at 4:00 you can download puzzle games to a tablet. I think Simon would like that :)

[@7Aheadfamily]

That’s an amazing idea! Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@mysterionz]

You’re welcome@@7Aheadfamily

[@mysterionz]

I’d recommend jigsaw puzzle/jigsaw puzzle pro by Critical Hit Software@@7Aheadfamily

[@7Aheadfamily]

❤️❤️❤️

[@7Aheadfamily]

Awesome thank you!

[@shiny6123]

Great! 👏🏼

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you! 😃

[@JonBrase]

I think repeating stuff back is also important in that echolalia is a common feature of autism: it puts you on the child's wavelength, so to speak. Have you tried teaching Ezra to braid his cords? Also, I wonder what could be done with a textbook on knot theory... The low hanging fruit would be to present him with cords knotted to match illustrations.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I love that idea! Thank you for sharing ❤️. We’ll have to try that. 😊

[@thomasschoeck9080]

I think I learned the meaning of “I am” in second grade CCD (age eight) class (specifically in reference to God in the Old Testament). After that (I think within a year or so) I was able to use “I am” more generally.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Great

[@roqayyahkhursheed6479]

My son is exactly like simon just turned 2 and diagnosed , same symptoms , recently started his therapy..i would love to follow you

[@7Aheadfamily]

So glad you found our channel. Simon has been learning so fast. It’s so exciting to hear his voice. You’ll have to keep us updated with your journey as well. ❤️

[@roqayyahkhursheed6479]

@7Aheadfamily for sure.. Waiting to hear my son's voice too although he says mama baba sometimes , hopefully he will communicate soon ...Simon is giving us hope .God bless our children 🥰

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️ God bless you and your family.

[@darkchipz3016]

Simon is talking very well lately, and thanks for the tips! I start to get interested of the board game called "The Game Of Life", have you guys played it before?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️ Yeah. We used to have it.

[@darkchipz3016]

@@7Aheadfamily I will try to buy the broad game, it seems very fun!

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@thomasschoeck9080]

You mentioned that Ezra is able to Sign “all done”. Is Simon able to say “all done” yet?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yes! He can say all done

[@thomasschoeck9080]

@@7Aheadfamily That’s good! He should also be developmentally ready to also learn/work on “all gone” if he isn’t already.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yeah! Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

[@xianghandan179]

Do you have recommended ABA strategies for Ezra? My 4-year old son Jay was diagnosed w level 3. Its hard to find sth that motivates him except spinning toys

[@7Aheadfamily]

ABA is tricky with Ezra, but we need to do a video with him. It’ll look a lot different. What helps him is the relationship with the therapist. If he doesn’t like him/her for whatever reason, they’ll get nothing done. Ezra has to have space, like room to run and explore the outside. ABA looks something like this for him, the therapist will build blocks, and they will have him knock them all down. And that will make him laugh. Then they will have him ask for help with his iPad. He is motivated by opening and closing doors and gates. So they will open it and close it after he pushes the button on his iPad that says open. He’s very motivated to push the button and will be jumping up and down in anticipation for the gate to open

[@thomasschoeck9080]

About how many words are in Simon’s vocabulary currently?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Over 100.

[@Claire-puppetzz_maker]

O he’s doing amazing 🤩 When did he start talking if I may ask. My little one is on the spectrum, 32 Months old, but nonverbal

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing. He started talking to communicate when he was 3. ❤️💙❤️

[@Eva1983ize]

Your children cheer you up. As an autistic adult, I am very sad that I was born in Hungary. I don't have many chances to go abroad to work and live there. Autistic children have no future in Hungary and Autistic adults have absolutely no future. I don't even know how I will be able to buy myself food for Christmas and New Year's Eve. In Hungary, no one helps single people. I know I can't expect anyone to help me. But I have to decide on December 19th. Or I go to the cheaper private dentist. And I'm getting a CT for possible tooth extraction, which won't be cheap for me. Or I stay with my inflamed 3-year-old root canal tooth so that I can buy myself food for Christmas. While the Hungarian State Adult Dental Clinic is unfortunately not very good. Because there is a waiting list, or sometimes painful dental treatment and condescending dentists are there.

[@7Aheadfamily]

That doesn’t sound like fun. ❤️ We hope you have a good Christmas anyway. ☺️❤️☺️

[@neetikasharma4450]

What if he has a habit of hiding things that you introduce him to? I work with a kid who constantly hides the wheels for his cars. He is the same age.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Interesting. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

[@user-ej9nb9qz3u]

i started learning at the age ten

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. Our son Ezra, is 7 and he has a hard time learning. So hearing you say it took to the age of ten gives us hope. Thank you

[@user-ej9nb9qz3u]

@@7Aheadfamily it sure does gives you hope your welcome i still have a hard time some saying some words

[@user-ej9nb9qz3u]

im getting tested for austium hopfully soon

[@7Aheadfamily]

Cool. Best of luck.

[@galileasalamanca3129]

❤❤❤

[@7Aheadfamily]

❤️❤️❤️

[@thomasschoeck9080]

It’s good to see that Simon is beginning to use pronouns. I think I may have started using some pronouns by age five-and-a-half in preschool and maybe a little more in kindergarten at age six. This was back in the early 1980s. From what I recall I was still struggling with pronouns (I would sometimes get “you” and “I” (or me) and “he” or “she” mixed up) in Elementary School and the special education teacher and her aide often gave me worksheets about pronouns even when I was in second or third grade (age eight to nine).

[@7Aheadfamily]

That’s awesome to get some good help ❤️

[@thomasschoeck9080]

@@7Aheadfamily It’s good that they were covering the basics of grammar and that probably helped my reading in the long run. However the whole reason (ostensibly) that I was in that special education class was to work on my social skills and one of the few activities related to this that I can remember is a small collection of worksheets. On one worksheet it had words like “smile” and “frown” and some other words in one column and the corresponding facial expressions in the other column and then I would have to draw a line connecting the word and the relevant facial expression. Another worksheet it was the same idea but with words like “happy”,”sad”, and “angry”. There were maybe as many as two or three other worksheets like this but even this early in day I don’t remember the specifics (but I think they were very similar to what I have already described). Outside of lunch,recess,art,physical education,and music classes I seem to remember only being allowed to interact with the other kids in the school about once or twice a year (while being observed by one of the special education teachers). Given that I would usually see those other kids in my class shortly after that I eventually realized that my interactions with them were not really to improve my social skills by rather to screen the other students for autism and place them in my class after it was determined that regular classes were no longer suitable for them. One time after this a student who recently started going to my class (after previously being in regular classes) told me on the playground that it was my fault that he was in my class because I was “acting weird” when he was talking to me that day in the cafeteria and he didn’t know how to respond to the way I was acting. Those were not his exact words but close enough. Then he called me some names (including the r-word) told me to stay away from him and punched me in the right eye. I ended up with a black eye as a result of this. Looking back I think he may have been level one/mild back then. I was still level two (for the most part) by today’s standards. This was back in about third or fourth grade (age nine or ten). You mentioned in an earlier video that Simon (who is level one/mild) is sometimes seen as being mean,rude or spoiled. I suspect that Simon has never given anyone a black eye (or if he has then probably not deliberately (especially given his age)). Maybe you can do a video in the future about how to tell if someone is autistic or just spoiled. Autism Family did a video on this and it’s fairly good (as far as it goes) but in my opinion it is still a bit vague.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas! ❤️❤️❤️

[@shakeenida]

does level 2 mean intellectual deficit? how do u differentiate

[@Sonicfan-cc1te]

I think it depends on how much support is needed for the individual. For me I fall somewhere between 1 and 2 on the spectrum.

[@Java-D]

The 3 levels are basically just to show how much support is needed in daily life. All 3 can be with or without intellectual delay. Levels are very fluid though which is why they aren’t used much anymore. For instance, my 9 year old is level 1 at home. He’s highly intelligent and can do most things that a typical 9 year old would be expected to do, with just a little support. But if we go into public, he’s easily a level 2. He goes mute and is oftentimes overwhelmed with sensory, anxiety, and demands. I have to keep him right next to me or he will run and hide without even thinking about what he’s doing or he will freeze up and be unable to move at all. I also have to very closely monitor his behaviors and emotions so we can leave before he reaches the point of a meltdown. He functions in public at about the level of a toddler.

[@shakeenida]

@@Java-D got it ! and how do we evaluate intellectual delay ? i am often worried that my son might be intellectually delayed . he’s diagnosed at level 2

[@Java-D]

@@shakeenidathrough a cognitive test. I think a child needs to be elementary age to give that though. Don’t worry about your child being behind. Our kids learn at their own pace but they truly are always learning and moving forward.

[@7Aheadfamily]

We made a video here about how a diagnosis can have levels and additional delays. What is Autism? | Home Video | Doctor Explains kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHvLpGmMi76NY6s

[@ElevatorWasher5000]

Best, ABA

[@7Aheadfamily]

❤️

[@swatidhondiyal7789]

Does simon have ecolalia or self talk? does he repeat words or sentences when he is alone?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yes. He often does.

[@swatidhondiyal7789]

Our doctor here in India did not recommend ABA for my son as he doesnt have any behavioiral issues and Hyperactivity. We are doing OT and Speech Therapy. Is ABA recommended for all ASD cases in the US?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Well, it’s kind of just terminology, but we do a lot of speech therapy with our ABA. Here’s some videos on that

[@7Aheadfamily]

ABA Therapy for Mild Autism and Severe Autism kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKO6qWOmjdmHjq8

[@7Aheadfamily]

Parents & Doctor React to Mild Electric Shock ABA kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5uQoKSLg7Cgnbc

[@stevenchan7537]

Good job though. I guess female has a lot more patient. Since the toy are car more towards the boys things, ask your husband if he does better. Mom in the morning session and dad same in the evening. This actually build the same relationship not to very dependent on 1 relationship. Meaning you might be tired one day and you don't know when it might come. The dad mostly can be the revision thing. Hope this helps and stay strong.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@LifeWithShawn2024]

7 Ahead - Why Was It That Simon Has Mild Autism & Got Tested For ADHD Being Told He Didn't Have It ? , The Same Happened To Me But I Only Got Tested For ADHD Results Came Back Negative Now Plan On Getting Evaluated For Autism . Is It unlikely for a person with mild autism to have ADHD what is your honest opinion ?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yeah, everyone is different. The best thing to do is just get checked out by professional, and get a second opinion if needed.

[@LifeWithShawn2024]

@@7Aheadfamily I know , the same thing that happened to Simon may happen to me with getting evaluated its likely but also not at the same time

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

[@jkka1477]

You just recommended against talking about autistic children like they aren’t there and now you’re doing it for Simon! Also I think ABA therapy varies, I had good programs and bad ones.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I know, but I Donny usually do that. It’s an instructional video. I was talking to you! So how else could I have done it? Give an example and the. Tell him to go away while I explained what we just did in the video? Well, just know it’s not something that we usually do, (unless I am filming an instructional video, that is. ❤️ I would love to hear about what programs you thought were helpful. Thanks!

[@tearlessworrior]

You could try doing voiceovers in editing@@7Aheadfamily

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for the idea😊

[@Mark-yh4jn]

Hello thanks for All amazing awesome vlogs could I please say all your sons best amazing awesome big brothers ever and all your daughters best amazing awesome big sisters ever and all your sons best amazing awesome little brothers ever and all your daughters best amazing awesome little sisters ever could I please be all your sons best friend ever and all your daughters best friend ever and all your family best friend ever

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yes!❤️