Hello. I've just joined because it seems like these threads could use the perspective of someone with lower functioning autism. I have a level 2 disability, and I've noticed that a lot of people in these threads don't understand the more subtle the ways in which autism impairs communication. I am fully verbal, but for a long time (until I was in my twenties) I couldn't communicate issues like this. It's hard to explain to normal people, but at Abby's age, I wasn't cognizant of the idea that I should communicate things like you describe. I once fainted, came to, and just went on with my day without telling anyone. I also never communicated when I didn't feel well. It just didn't register with me that I should. Even when I knew that something was wrong, I didn't understand which words to use to communicate my needs because I didn't know what specifically was wrong or what I needed in response. It made it really hard for my parents because I would just meltdown a lot and not be able to explain why I was upset. It wasn't their fault (usually). I had words, but my introspective skills were too poor to use them.
Considering Abby's cognitive difficulties, it's likely that she faces the same issues with recognizing needs. This is why she would eat herself to the point of sickness. I think we should remember that there is no easy fix for anything related to more severe autism because its disabilities are always caused by multiple issues interacting. I expect that the Maass family is aware of Abby's cognitive impairments, so they know that teaching her signs requiring introspective skills is a battle lost before it begins. Maybe they're reluctant to admit this, but I don't think that her lack of some signs that members here want her to learn is a cause for criticism. I really don't think Abby could use most of them.
's onion glasses a few vlogs back. She seems to imitate Cilla more and more as time goes by.
That was me! LOL!
