Conor a year ago at the local ICU where he stayed for 6 days while the ICU professionals worked to save his life and return him to us in good health after a serious adverse reaction to his seizure medications. Other parents of children with severe autism disorders and intellectual
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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: A Humble Father’s Simple Autism, Intellectual Disability and Epilepsy Research Questions
I have been trying to read, and understand, literature about autism disorders since my son was diagnosed with an autism disorder almost 16 years ago. (Many would undoubtedly suggest I have far to go in development of that understanding). In the last few years I have begun to try and
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Severe Autism Disorders: Conor’s Autism Progress: Teeth Brushing and Tickle Shaves!
Conor Doherty sporting a big smile after a quick tickle shave adventure with Dad this morning Many famous “autistics” were not diagnosed until they were adults and have turned their diagnoses into good career opportunities: John Elder Robison, Michelle Dawson, Ari Ne’eman and Mr. Ne’eman’s colleagues, the fellow corporate trustees of
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: #autism gene AUTS2 tied to dyslexia ADHD epilepsy ID motor delay microcephaly MORE SYMPTOMS should be part of ASD DX
“Dr. Lynn Waterhouse @autismideasfail 6 Sep http://bit.ly/17WbZVi #autism gene AUTS2 tied to dyslexia ADHD epilepsy ID motor delay microcephaly MORE SYMPTOMS should be part of ASD DX” The above Tweet by Dr. Lynn Waterhouse, author of Rethinking Autism: Variation and Complexity, who also worked with Dr. Lorna Wing on the APA DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: SFARI Highlights Serious Risk of Epilepsy for Young Children and Teens with Autism and Intellectual Disability
“Children with autism who are older than 13 years and have low intelligence are at the greatest risk of having epilepsy, says one of the largest epidemiological studies on the issue to date1. Children are typically diagnosed with epilepsy after having at least two seizures — uncontrolled surges of electrical activity in
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Autism Breakthrough? Autism Speaks Recognizes Autism Heterogeneity!
Rethinking Autism Variation and Complexity by Lynn Waterhouse is a recent work which provides a thorough, expert and extremely well researched picture of the variation and complexity of autism spectrum disorders. Hopefully the rest of the professional and academic autism community will read Rethinking Autism and come to grips with
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Dear Anna Kennedy: Please Stop Misrepresenting Autism, Autism Is A Health DISORDER NOT a Gift
Anyone described as “having autism” or “being autistic” would have received an autism disorder diagnosis pursuant, in all likelihood, to either the DSM or the ICD Dear Anna Kennedy My 17 year old son Conor who was diagnosed 15+ years ago with “autistic disorder” (now autism spectrum disorder) and profound developmental delays (
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Conor’s Fredericton Adventures 2013 Part I
Conor & Dad, couple of hosers enjoying the snow, eh? Conor’s Saint John River view clear day, above, not so clear below Conor helps Dad with a visit at the Chalmers Hospital Acute Care Unit Conor and Mom head out for a stroll on the North Riverfront Trail Conor changes
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Extremely Grateful
The Intensive Care Unit of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton made a difference for our family. They saved our son Conor’s life after he suffered an adverse reaction to new anti seizure medication. They gave our son back to us. For that we are, as the CBC caption
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Conor Goes For A Swim (and a Dive and a Slide) and Shows Terrific Progress In His Rhabdomyolysis Recovery
Conor home after a great swim adventure; making terrific progress on his recovery Conor’s autism and profound developmental delay were supplemented by two grand mal seizures between November 2012 and April 2013. The second seizure occurred two days after he began treatment with the anti seizure medication Lamotrogine. During the
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Conor’s Physiotherapy With CBC’s Terry Seguin
Conor is still recovering from Rhabdomyolysis, an adverse reaction to anti-seizure medication, Lamotrogine and needs phsyiotherapy to rebuild his damaged muscles, balance and co-ordination. Just being home is a huge help for Conor, back home with Mom, Dad, his brother and his familiar routines. One of those routines has been to
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Autism, Grand Mal Seizures, Meds: Conor Needs Some Kermit Komfort!
Conor enjoys some Kermit Komfort this morning while sleeping and awaiting a trip to see our family physician. It has been a very difficult week for my Buddy as we work through his seizure and medication issues. Hoping things turn for the better today!
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: Autism and Seizures: Conor’s Second Grand Mal Seizure (That We Know Of)
The pictures above were initially posted on this site on May 26, 2012, several months before Conor’s 1st known Grand Mal Seizure in November. As I posted then, external conditions were perfect and Conor was enjoying a favorite activity in a favorite location when he suddenly began hitting himself in
Continue readingFacing Autism Symptoms in New Brunswick: The Damaging Impact Of Seizures On Individuals With Autism
Seizures and epilepsy are serious issues for persons with autism and their families as we learned first hand in our home on November 17, 2012 when Conor suffered a very serious seizure. Following is a publicity release issued in respect of Silently Seizing and author Caren Haines, RN (Haines also
Continue readingFacing Autism Disorders in New Brunswick: EEG Day Yesterday Went Very Well: Conor Was Outstanding!
Conor’s EEG exam had been scheduled for yesterday as a result of his scary Grand Mal seizure a few weeks ago. (Not that I am superstitious but I did wear my Tom Brady Patriots jersey to the EEG for good luck) The EEG techs indicated it would take time to get
Continue readingFacing Autism Disorders in New Brunswick: Autism and Conor’s Grand Mal Seizure: What Lies Ahead?
I know very little about seizures except that they are associated generally with epilepsy, that they are common in people with autism disorders and that they can be absolutely terrifying to a parent, even one whose personal conceits mislead him in…
Continue readingFacing Autism Disorders in New Brunswick: One Grand Mal Seizure Later Conor Is Back
Conor was happy and full of life on our trail walk today.
At times his feet didn’t even touch the ground.
The Grand Mal seizure Conor experienced Saturday morning took him down pretty hard (and scared the bejeebers out of his Dad).  …
Continue readingFacing Autism Disorders in New Brunswick: No Autism. Today, Conor’s Grand Mal Seizure Scared The Hell Out Of Me
The Joy of Conor
Every day with my buddy Conor is a joy because of who he is. Every day with Conor requires extra concern and attention to his well being because of the autism disorder that restricts his life and presents serious cha…
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