[livingwith]

I live with an autistic child. You can look at what you are missing or what you think your child should be like. Life is different with a special child, it is very hard some time. You will need lot of support from your family and friends. Your family will need to understand that your nucular family will not be able to do stuff, that you normally would do because of your child. My son is very very autistic, non verbal and a very slow learner.
Read about autisam, and try to understand that your c...Read the full article

[Tutty]

I know very little about Autism, but I am blessed with a great imagination, so here are my thoughts thus far.
If an Autistic child shows little or no reaction to others, why not consider stimulating his/her reaction to their own self. After all they do appear to be very self oriented.
Consider: There exists whole Virtual communities on the Internet.
If you use the same technology, but with a few modifications it should be possible to create an Avatar, a Virtual representation of the child and another of a well trained pet known to the child.
My guess would be an Autistic child would give some love and direction to both the real Dog and it's Avatar.
Once the child, through simple action and reaction exercises via a decent sized monitor screen, recognized the virtual dog, he would then recognize him/herself on-screen.
Then introduce Avatars of Mum n Dad and so on. Over time real-life scenarios could be played out repetitively (which should suit the child's preferred condition) but adding small, but not too subtle changes over time.
There should also be strong musical association throughout, delivering strong stimuli and prompts.
There should always be ready use of those stimuli that play to the strengths of these remarkable children.
My guess is that failing all else the Autistic child will associate him/herself with their own Virtual sense of self and will communicate with and through them.
The main program would have to be developed by technically able people or someone who would dedicate themselves to the project. You know who you are! Give it a try. Tony