Hi there and welcome to this week’s Aspergers article.

Just before that I want to say thanks to everyone who visited the relaunch of the Aspergers website last week at www.parentingaspergers.com/relaunch.html
- and if you’ve not been there yet the web page is still up if you want to take a look.

Anyway here’s this week’s article …

Question

Sometimes my son with Aspergers reminds me of an adult trapped in his little body – mostly when he says to me “mom, I don’t understand what you mean when you say… (whatever I said) … can you please tell me again?” Wow. Unfortunately, I have just today resorted to trying a medication to help control his aggressive behavior because he’s punching his own face and slapping his legs and kicks at adults; leaving bruises on day care teachers. He just doesn’t understand sometimes that you cannot have a banana if there aren’t any. That’s one example of a reason for a blow up. Do you have any advice on how to bring him out of a flying rage?

Answer

Most of us have moments where we have to stop and regroup and try to get our behavior in check. Even the most even-tempered of us can blow up over something seemingly trivial. For children with Asperger’s Syndrome, understanding their own emotions and being able to control them is more than an occasional challenge. It is an everyday struggle.

Judy Endow, MSW, has written a book entitled “Outsmarting Explosive Behavior – A Visual System of Support and Intervention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

In this book, she addresses the question you ask here. Even in the best of situations, we cannot create a world where our children will never be stressed or experience anxiety or frustration. How do you teach children with Asperger’s Syndrome to cope?

Judy Endow has created a visual model designed to try to eliminate explosive behavior. This model uses a positive approach to behavior that takes away the ability to self-blame or blame others that can complicate those behaviors. The children who are taught using this model begin to learn to stop their behaviors, identify the triggers, and change the direction of the behavior into something more acceptable than a rage.

Using a model such as this can be very effective in helping children with Asperger’s first identify the situation and their feelings and then to help them learn new and acceptable ways of handling the situation. This system of identification and modification has been shown to be an effective way to bring about lasting change.

During this process, try to understand that your child with Asperger’s has a very difficult time understanding the world. He doesn’t understand why he can’t have a banana today when he had one yesterday. As he gets older, he will gain a bit more understanding of these types of situations and he will begin to learn to apply experiences from one circumstance to another. But these are skills he will have to learn.

Try to be patient with your son and try to be firm and consistent with your responses to his behaviors. If you react calmly to his actions and rages, this will help to temper his reactions. Be sure that you talk with him when he is calm about acceptable ways to behave and alternative behaviors to situations he has found himself in. The more you can talk to him about his behavior and his choices, the better chance he has of beginning to make the correct choices more often.

Have a great day,

Dave Angel

=============================================================

============================================================

Hi there -

Just a quick update if you didn’t get chance to read my email from yesterday yet …

The Parenting Aspergers website has been relaunched with a whole new look and new information on it; to see what’s new and find out how you can get a copy of my best-selling Aspergers ebook on a 56 free trial you should go to -

http://www.parentingaspergers.com/relaunch.html

To celebrate this relaunch I have posted a sample of one of the many topics and questions that are covered in the ebook for today’s article.

Here it is …

Question

My son is 10 years old and awaiting an Aspergers diagnosis.  He frequently misinterprets the actions of others and becomes quite angry.  He loses his temper frequently.  How can we help him?

Answer

Your son is experiencing a great deal of stress due to his likely Asperger’s.

Some people react by becoming depressed, some become anxious, and others become angry and experience rage against the frustrating events that occur in their day.

Some individuals externalize their feelings and blame others, while some internalize their feelings and have a difficult time controlling their anger.

Their may be no particular event to his anger – just an aggressive mood or reaction to a frustrating experience.

Encourage self-control and teach your child to consider alternative behaviors.

Self-control can be strengthened by teaching your child to stop and count to ten, taking a deep breath and reminding themselves to keep calm.

Or for some children it is helpful that they have an agreed room or particular space that they take themselves too when they feel that they are getting anxious/angry.

Specific relaxation techniques can be practiced and your child can be taught the cues when they must calm down and relax.  Explain the alternative to your child and in specific terms.

There are three stages to help your child when he/she is losing his temper:

1.) Make a list of signals – Construct a list of the signals that indicate the person is becoming increasingly stressed (e.g. rocking, reddened face, pacing, shouting etc.).

2.) Draw attention to the signals – Once these sign are recognized, the person’s attention must be drawn to their actions and behavior.  The angry individual is usually the last to recognize the change in their behavior.

3.) Find calming alternatives – Then construct a list of activities which will calm them and encourage them to participate in those behaviors.

Keep in mind that your son will most likely have difficulty expressing what is making him angry.

You will need to assess the situation to determine what may be provoking him.

Another alternative is to keep him engaged in activities that burn off energy and reduce his need to express the anger that he is feeling.

Thanks and have a great day,

Dave Angel

PS Don’t forget to check out

http://www.parentingaspergers.com/relaunch.html

for all the lastest developments now!

Hi there and here’s this week’s Aspergers article – and I’m having the night off from writing;  thanks to a talented teenager with Aspergers!

I have posted a great little interview that Matthew Readman carried out on his own parents about Aspergers.

For those of you who don’t know Matthew – he is an exceptional teenager with Aspergers from Canada.

He has written several articles for the blog and is a regular contributor to http://www.ParentingAspergersCommunity.com

Here’s Matthew’s interview which makes fascinating reading …

The Interview

After reading questions and answers to Mr. Angel, I was so sad to hear all the problems parents are having.  I know I’m only 10 but I decided to interview my parents what they thought about my aspergers and how they helped me so that I could share with you.

When did you first think I was different?

We noticed when you were about 3 years old, when you decided to stop eating.

What did you do?

Well we went to the pediatrician who told us this was normal, and not to force you to eat, that you would eat when you decided to.  Well that was a mistake still to this day you won’t touch a lot of foods.

What did you think when the psychologist told you I had aspergers?

We were torn.  We were happy in away that we finally found out why you were acting differently, but sad thinking how can we help you

I don’t understand?

Every parent’s first impulse is thinking what did I do wrong.  When we found out it was aspergers, and it was not our fault, this made us feel a little better.  But now knowing that you have Aspergers Syndrome it made us feel helpless thinking how can we help you.  Matthew, every parent wants to help his or her child live a happy life.

Is there anything you think helped me get this far?

Yes.  I made sure ever since you started school I asked you four simple questions.  Tell me something good, something bad, something happy something sad.  This made you talk about your day and we could elaborate on a specific topic, which was most important to you.  Now everyday we talk about all different topics.

Yes we still do it today,  but I call it debriefing now.

How did you get me to try new things?

The one that best works for you is reward and consequence.  Do you remember when you would not ride your bike for the whole summer?

Yes

Well it was not until I purchased a computer game and told you, that you could not play it until you rode your bike.  You learned to ride a bike in 2 hours.

Is there anything else you think that helps me?

Matthew its all trial and error.  There have been times a strategy may work but the next day fails completely.  We find its one step forward and 2 steps back.  I get told a lot of the time that I’m a pessimist.

What does that mean?

It means I look for the worst things in life.  I do this to try to look ahead on what problems could arise for you.  Everything I try to teach you now is not to learn for today but 2 years from now.  I have always tried to teach you some problem solving of situations that may arise as you get older.  Hopefully with constant repetition when this time comes, it would have sunk in and you would be ready.

Are you tired of having a son with aspergers?

If you mean tired as exhausted, there are times, but I get the same exhaustion from telling your brother to pick up his clothes.  Matt I’m a mom.  I’m tired all the time.  It goes with the territory.  If you mean am I tired of you… NEVER.  I wanted two boys and I was blessed with two wonderful boys, so to that answer no!!!!     You are a wonderful son with so many gifts to offer and I love you and will always love you.

I hope that this may help parents.  As my mom and dad said, “ it all trial and error” and if these worked for me maybe they may be able to help your kids with aspergers.

Please feel free to add any comments to this blog post as I know that Matthew enjoys the feedback he gets.

Thanks for the great article Matthew.

Dave Angel

PS – You can read more of Matthew’s insightful and helpful articles by becoming a member of http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com

=============================================================

Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

============================================================
How should I help my son with Aspergers who I suspect is being bullied at school, but school officials are not saying too much about it?

As a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, your son is very susceptible to bullying by others. Being just a little different can be devastating in the school setting. Your son is an intelligent person, but those struggles with sensory issues and social skills make him stand out. The other kids do not understand what this means, so they take advantage. Fortunately, most school systems have strong anti-bullying policies. Unfortunately …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/357.cfm

============================================================

Daydreaming and Autism

Empty daydreaming sounds a little redundant, but a few years ago, researchers digging for an answer to the rapidly increasing Autism diagnoses said just that. This study was performed by researchers at the Center for Autism Research at the Children’s Hospital Research Center in La Jolla, California. You can read the details in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Included in the study were fifteen people with a diagnosis on the Autism spectrum and fourteen neurotypical individuals. Utilizing functional MRI scans, researchers were able to examine the brain activity of all twenty-nine participants while in a resting state. The results showed that areas of the brain that are usually active during daydreaming were not active in the group representing Autism. This resting brain activity is necessary for …

To read this article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/358.cfm

============================================================

Gluten Free Pop Tarts

How to make delicious gluten-free Pop tarts …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/359.cfm

============================================================

Hello and welcome to this week’s Aspergers article.

This week the topic is communication …

Question

What is the best way of effectively communicating things to my child with Aspergers?

Answer

Communicating with a child with ASD can be a delightful experience. It can just as often be a frustrating experience. Children with ASD can have a wide range of communication skills, so it’s important to tailor any communication specifically to your child. Many times, you’ll have to try some communication techniques to see if they’re effective.

Be sensitive when speaking with a child with Asperger’s. Understand that your child might not be able to maintain eye contact or that he might not want you sitting close to him or touching him. Understand that you will need to teach him how to communicate effectively.

Using a tool such as Interactive Training Cards, created by Joan Green, can help you teach your child about communication. Interactive Training cards were developed by special educators specifically to help facilitate communication with people with communication delays or difficulties. Each set of communication cards comes with 120 2”x2” laminated cards that relate to the topic of the set. The set also includes four sentence and cards containing common words, such as yes, no, thank you, no thank you, and more. Words are printed on the front and back of each picture.

These Interactive Training Cards come in several sets, each set having a different theme. The Food Set includes foods for each meal, snacks, condiments and kitchen materials and utensils. The Home and Health Set include chores, hygiene activities, body parts and physical ailments. Another set contains Elementary and High School Activities.

Understand that communicating with a child with ASD will be repetitive and time consuming. It can often be frustrating. Be patient. Often children with ASD are slower to process things they hear, so expect the pace of conversation to be different than in a standard conversation. Give your child time and space to respond appropriately and to formulate a response.

When working on communication skills with your child, try to engage him in a topic of interest to him. This will help extend the conversation and give him a change to feel confident while talking to you. He will be excited and will be more willing to engage when the topic piques his interest.

Communicating effectively with children with ASD can be a challenge. But the rewards and benefits are tremendous. Your child will reap the benefits of your efforts, as he is able to understand the world a bit better and to learn more effective communication skills.

Have a great week,

Dave Angel

=============================================================

Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

============================================================
Can you tell me more about Wilderness Therapy for Asperger’s?

Adolescence is a tough age for children with Asperger’s Syndrome. The lacking social skills cause awkwardness. At a time when it is so important to be an accepted member of the group, these children are often rejected, teased, bullied, or totally ignored by their peers. It can be a lonely time for the child, triggering behavioral problems and a very troubled teen. Home life and family relationships may suffer …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/356.cfm

============================================================

I am worried that my teenaged son with Aspergers is becoming more reliant on alcohol to cope with his low feelings. Is this common and what can I do to help him?

The teen years can be precarious when under the influence of alcohol. A teen’s peer group often sees alcohol use as a rite of passage. Teens think to be accepted by the crowd, you have to be willing to take some risks. These risks are …

To read this article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/355.cfm

============================================================

My son gets so distraught when he gets a bad mark in class — how can I help him with this? He’s 11 and has Asperger’s.

Pushing for perfection is a very common characteristic in children with Asperger’s Syndrome. The need to do things right, every time, is overwhelming. When it doesn’t happen, it can be a disaster. Feelings of despair can lead to extreme anxiety and depression since as we all know, perfection is impossible. It is so difficult to watch your child struggle to meet his expectations. You cannot make him see that he is setting unachievable goals; he really doesn’t understand. This creates such a helpless feeling for a parent …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/354.cfm

============================================================

Hi there and welcome to this week’s Aspergers blog post …

A big thank to all of you who joined The Parenting Aspergers Community this week and took advantage of the special offer that I had for “A Parent’s Guide to Social Skills and Independent Living” – it’s great to have you on board.

Another thing to look out for is another email from me in the next 48 hours with a whole host of information on it …

I have had a number of emails from people offering great advice, therapeutic opportunities, the chance to be part of studies and other such matters – all aimed at parents of children with Aspergers.

So I’ll bundle them all up into a (quite long probably!) blog post and let you know about it by email.

Anyway today’s article covers …

Question

What can I do to help my son with Aspergers function better in the outside world (places other than home)?

Answer

We expect the people around us to look and act a certain way.  Acting civilized is desired of all ages, young and old.  Sometimes this is just too much to expect.  People are individuals with their own agendas.  What seems civilized to one family may be over the top in another household.  What seems barely acceptable in one place is normal behavior in another.

Nevertheless, we all want to be accepted and we want our children to be accepted.  We teach and train from the earliest point in time to the best of our ability and our expectations, only to be told we aren’t quite reaching the bar in other’s eyes.  Then add in Asperger’s Syndrome.  How can we succeed?

Make sure that your son recognizes appropriate behavior for public places.  The younger you start, the more time you’ll have to cement the skills in his mind. Manners, personal cleanliness, and appropriate conversation are a few that are not only important at home but can mean acceptance in public.

You should make lists that are very straight-forward with simple language.  An example of a list subject could be as follows:

This is how I act at a restaurant:

•     I sit quietly and stay in my chair
•     I speak calmly and place my order
•     I eat my food using my manners

Picture charts are similar to lists, but use pictures instead of words.  For example, a picture of a restaurant logo could be used as the title.  The following pictures could be a car, people walking into a door, people sitting as a table, and so on.

Reading social stories is another good option. Choose a story about a boy going to eat in a restaurant.  It is possible to write your own story. Make sure the story includes many examples of proper behavior. Read the story several times before the trip to the restaurant.

Use every possible opportunity to remind your son about his lists, charts, and stories.  This will help him become more aware of how he should present himself.  Children with Asperger’s Syndrome do not always see the importance of good behavior because of their lack of social skills.  The good thing is that they want to do what is right and acceptable and will work hard to follow the rules.

Utilize the Internet to find books and videos that will model proper behavior for him.  This video can be used for older kids through adult:  “Manners for the Real World:  Basic Social Skills” (DVD).

Your son can watch and emulate actual demonstrations of appropriate behavior by using this video.  There are many topic areas covered, from table manners to public conversations and everything in between.  All topics are discussed during the segment and then reviews are captioned on the screen.  He’ll see it, hear it and read it.

As your son grows, you will need to add new rules to his lists.  The body is always changing.   There will be added personal hygiene issues, as well as new social situations in which he’ll begin to participate.  The goal is to show him how to tackle the issues of public behavior himself as he becomes an adult.  Because of your diligence over the years, your son will know what he needs to do to function appropriately in public.

Thanks for reading and have a great week,

Dave Angel

=============================================================

Articles and videos posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

This is an awesome animated video made by children with Aspergers in York, UK.

It is split into a number of short sections — The brain — Outlines how the brain is wired for children with Aspergers … and how this effects them day to day.

Diagnosis – A 16 yr old explaining his experiences in life and how his diagnosis helped him to understand

Communication — Why online communication can be easier than face to face.

Favorite things and interests — How having limited friends can lead to spending muc more time on interests and skills development.

Sensory Overload — A display of both visual and auditory experiences of Aspergers.

And also understanding other people (mind blindness), what it’s like to have aspergers and one Person’s View of the future.

A well presented video that in a few places may need you to turn up your pc volume a little — but offers good insight into what things are like for young people with ASD. Running Time – 8 Minutes 41 Seconds …

This is a video of a young man with Aspergers from Sweden talking about his frustrations with dating.

He makes an interesting point that as 75% of people with Aspergesr are male — the odds are not so good for him to meet a girl with Aspergers.

And he wants a girlfriend with Aspergers — as he feels they will understand him better.

He also talks about the fact that girls don’t generally approach guys but it’s generally the other way around.

He says that he doesn’t look approachable — and people have said “you look sad” when he is actually OK.

Also he discusses the challenges of interacting with a girl when you have Aspergers.

Whilst this video does not provide major answers to the challenge of relationships; it provides fascinating insight as long as you are not offended by one or two swear words! Running Time 10 Minutes 50 Seconds …

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/351.cfm
============================================================

Hi there and welcome to this week’s Aspergers blog article.

Just before I get into it a quick reminder …

There are just 6 days left to claim your free copy of my latest ebook

“A Parent’s Guide to Social and Independent Living Skills” – just go to

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/public/336.cfm

And now this week’s article –

Question

I was wondering if there are any articles for fathers that can’t cope with the fact their children have Asperger’s. I realise that our 2 children are on the spectrum but for 5 years now I cannot get him to deal with it and it is going to break us up.

Answer

It can be difficult for a parent to accept a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome or a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Autism. Parents, especially of young children, often do not want a diagnosis and they don’t want to acknowledge that certain behaviors are indicators that a child has Asperger’s. Parents often make excuses for their children and learn to work around their behaviors.

Coming to accept a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome can be a long process. Many parents have trouble thinking of their children as different. Some parents are relieved to finally understand why their child acts or reacts the way he does. But for those parents who have trouble coping with the diagnosis, you need to be patient and persistent.

If you realize that your children are exhibiting behaviors on the autism spectrum, it is in their best interest, as well as yours, to get a diagnosis soon. This means you will need to take them and have them evaluated. Speak to your husband before you do this to see if he agrees with taking this step and wants to participate with you.  Encourage him listen to the doctor’s evaluation of your children’s situation. You both may be surprised by what the doctor has to say. It may also be necessary to consider having the children evaluated on your own if your husband does not want to participate.

Once you receive a diagnosis, it would be wise to talk with a therapist or counsellor who is skilled in helping families adapt to new situations such as this. Talking things through with a neutral third party can be very helpful for both you and your husband. Hopefully, this will bring you together so that you can begin to parent your children from the same point of view.

If you can come together and start to work together with the children, getting further advice on how to parent a child with Asperger’s can be helpful. Jeffrey Cohen has written a book entitled, “The Asperger Parent: How to Raise a Child with Asperger Syndrome and Maintain Your Sense of Humor.”

Jeffrey Cohen is the father of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome and he talks about what it’s like to parent his son. This book is full of humor and is easy to read. It can help you develop insights into your own parenting. It provides great information as well as emotional support.

Thanks for reading and have a great week,

Dave Angel

PS Don’t forget to claim your free copy of my latest ebook “A Parent’s Guide to Social and Independent Living Skills” from …

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/public/336.cfm

=============================================================

Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

============================================================

Is it true that a mood phone has been designed to help people with Aspergers understand better in telephone conversations, and how does this work?

In 2006, a college student won a scholarship contest by coming up with the concept for a mood phone.  This mood phone concept uses mood-interpreting algorithms to pick up on the speech inflection . . .

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/341.cfm

============================================================

Can you tell me about Puppet Assisted Relationship Learning?

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome have great difficulty developing friendships. They lack the ability to recognize social cues, struggle with eye contact and body language, and trouble with demonstrating emotions. These children can be very uncomfortable making small talk or meaningful conversation. This is where the puppets come in …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/340.cfm

============================================================

My child with Aspergers has been permanently excluded from school. What do I do now?

Unfortunately, it is very common for children with Asperger’s Syndrome to have great difficulty in the classroom. Strong social skills and well-developed sensory integration are necessary in the school setting; both areas in which your child is weak. The important thing is you do have options. However …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/339.cfm

============================================================

Hi there here’s this week’s blog article from a very wet and rainy Hampshire here in the UK!

Question

My son with Aspergers tends to be tactless, very literal and overly honest and idealistic-is there any way that I can help him to be able to get a long a little better socially?

Answer

Socialization is a necessary component of life.  Social communication is how we interact with the people around us.  If a child struggles with socialization and communication, he will have problems getting along with his peers.

Asperger’s Syndrome manifests differently in each individual, although all children with Asperger’s have some form of social and communication deficit. There are ways to help turn your concerns into non-issues.  You can help your son achieve a more balanced social life.  You can start working on this at home where he is most comfortable.

Social stories are stories written about different real-life situations that follow the desired steps to correct problems in social behaviors.  You can find books filled with social stories on the Internet or at your local library.  You could even write you own, tailoring the stories to fit your son’s specific trouble spots.   If you decide to use social stories, you should also pursue other options.  A multiple-therapy approach is your best bet for a good outcome.

If your son has a program in place that includes occupational therapy, ask for a consultation with his therapist to add specific social communication goals.  When you think of occupational therapy, you tend to think of something other than these types of problems.  In reality, these therapists are very good at helping Asperger’s children learn to use correct social skills, as well as most other living skills.  Most therapists will offer parent training sessions, as they are usually happy to know that the parent is interested enough to invest the time in their child.

Finally, check with your local Asperger’s support group or your child’s school system for available social skills groups.  These groups are usually led by a psychologist or a therapist and provide opportunities for the Asperger’s child to practice social skills in a controlled environment.  You can then follow through with extra practice at home.

There are books available that will help you work on social and communication skills completely at home.  One such book is “Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communication Problems” by Jed E. Baker”.

This book is an entire social skills curriculum complete with reproducible handouts and activity sheets.  It covers all of the skills that cause most of the problems for children with Asperger’s and is a complete training package for Asperger’s kids of all ages.  This program is very user-friendly and very detailed.  You are sure to find specific examples of and solutions for the issues you see in your child.

All of these suggestions can be applied at home with a little training.  You can help your son develop better social skills, enhancing his perspective and insuring a bright future.

That’s all for this week thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

============================================================

Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

============================================================

What kind of party games would you suggest for my son who has Aspergers and is 12? He’s having a few people from school and some family over maybe 10 people.

Birthday parties can be uncomfortable for children with Asperger’s Syndrome. People, noise, sights, and sounds can be overwhelming. However, your son is at a great age for a party. He has seen a few birthdays, so he has a sense for what a party entails. With a bit of preparation you can plan a party that he and his friends will enjoy …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/334.cfm

============================================================

Can you tell me about positive examples of Asperger’s seen in movies and on TV?

Not many movie and television roles are acknowledged as being Aspergers or Autism spectrum characters. However, it is becoming more common to see Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome highlighted in television fiction. People are starting to speculate about some of their favorite characters. Sheldon on “The Big Bang Theory” is one such character. The television show, “Boston Legal” features a lawyer named Jerry …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/333.cfm

============================================================

Is it best for my child with Aspergers to try to make friends with other children with Aspergers or children who don’t have it?

Friendships are very important for healthy children. Children with Asperger’s have difficulties in the area of social development, so you should be especially diligent in encouraging your child to make friends with other children. Your child with Asperger’s will benefit from befriending both neurotypical children and children with Asperger’s Syndrome …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/332.cfm

============================================================

PARENTING AUTISM & ASPERGER’S NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 27      
October 2009        

Welcome to the twenty-seventh edition  
of “The Parenting Autism & Asperger’s Newsletter”
Inside this edition you will find:

1. Hot Topic of Discussion – Bullying and Asperger’s Syndrome

2. In the News – IPODs May Help Teens Learn Social Skills

3. Prominent People Linked with ASD – Tim Page, Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic

Thanks

Dave
————————————————————
1. Hot Topic of Discussion – Bullying and Asperger’s Syndrome
Because of events that have transpired in the past regarding school bullying, there have been numerous recommendations to change school policies in order to protect students against bullying. Students who engage in violent behaviors such as bullying or disability harassment will be suspended or expelled. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504 states that disability harassment in public school districts and colleges is a violation of the law. Students with disabilities who experience such harassments and bullying have the right to complain at the Office of Civil Rights and receive due process.

Although laws have been in place to protect students with disabilities against harassment and bullying, the National Education Association states that incidence of bullying occurs “every seven minutes of every school day”. Additionally, students and teachers most of the time fail to intervene in school bullying. This reveals that anti-bullying school policies do not offer much help to the victims of bullying.

Many victims of school bullying tend to be children who are in special education. An expert even puts a 100% rate of bullying on children with Asperger’s Syndrome. This is because a child with Asperger’s Syndrome is likely to be seen as a loner type with poor social skills. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome who appears to be under stress, are physically weak and who starts to miss school are likely to be victims of school bullying.

To read the full article, go to:  http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/bullying.html 

People mentioned as having Asperger’s Syndrome may or may not have actually have been diagnosed with it.

————————————————————-
2.  In the News – IPODs May Help Teens Learn Social Skills

People with Asperger’s Syndrome tend to struggle when it comes to their social skills. Sue Pederson, a psychologist, and researchers from the Fraser Child and Family Center claimed to have figured out a way to improve the social skills of teens with Asperger’s Syndrome. According to Pederson, IPODs (a device that plays music, videos and movies) can help these teens develop their social skills.

The IPODs can hold audios, videos and picture slideshows about information that could teach people with Asperger’s Syndrome how to behave in a variety of situations. Aside from using the IPOD, researchers have looked into using other devices such as the smart phones and palm pilots. According to Jim Ball from the Autism Society of America, these devices can be helpful especially to people with Asperger’s as they feel more comfortable when dealing with technology rather than with people.  

To read the full article, go to: http://www.omaha.com/article/20090926/LIVING/709269966 

People mentioned as having Asperger’s Syndrome may or may not have actually have been diagnosed with it.

————————————————————

3. Prominent People Linked with ASD – Tim Page, Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic

Tim Page was born October 11, 1954 in San Diego California. Page spent most of his childhood in Storrs Connecticut where his father was a professor at the University of Connecticut. Before Page became a Pulitzer Prize-winning music critic, he was a student of piano and composition and was interested in film making. In 1975, he moved to New York and attended the Mannes College for one year before transferring to Columbia University. In 1981, Page started his afternoon broadcast program that interviews prominent musicians and composers. A year later, he joined the New York Times as a music writer. In 1987, he became the chief music critic for Newsday and in 1995 he became the chief classical music critic for the Washington Post. He was awarded with the Pulitzer Prize in 1997.

Tim Page revealed in 2007 that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when he and his 10 year old son went to a therapist. His son was diagnosed with Asperger’s as well. Currently, Tim Page is a professor of journalism and music in the University of Southern California. 

To see the full text of the article go to:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Page_(music_critic) )

The person mentioned above may or may not have Asperger’s Syndrome.
————————————————————-

I hope this month’s newsletter has intrigued you and provided information new to you.

The next edition of the newsletter is due in November, 2009.      
And as ever … please send in any inspirational stories that you know of, any questions that you would like our team of experts to answer, any topics that you wish to be discussed, and news stories that you want to share VIA THE BLOG.

We will publish as many as we can.

Until next month………

Best Wishes

Dave Angel

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com

============================================================

Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

============================================================

What tips can you give me to help my son with Aspergers to cope with his first day at college?

More children with Asperger’s Syndrome are going off to college now than ever before. While college is a big step in every teen’s life, you can help make the transition go smoothly with a little advanced preparation. Until he leaves, you are still in command. You can help him …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/331.cfm

============================================================

We are planning a family holiday this year with our child who has Aspergers – any tips?

There is just nothing better than a family holiday! Asperger’s Syndrome should not stand in the way of a fun family adventure. With a little advanced planning and extra consideration, you can arrange a trip that will be a great memory for years to come …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/330.cfm

============================================================

What tips can you give me to help my son with Aspergers to cope with his first day at college?

More children with Asperger’s Syndrome are going off to college now than ever before. While college is a big step in every teen’s life, you can help make the transition go smoothly with a little advanced preparation. Until he leaves, you are still in command. You can help him …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/329.cfm

==========================================================

Hi there and welcome to this weeks blog article …

Question

How will Asperger’s affect my other (non-Asperger’s) 7 yr old son as he grows up?

Answer

Living with a sibling who has Asperger’s Syndrome is not always easy.  One minute the two are playing a game or sharing a special toy and the next minute, the child with Asperger’s is in the middle of a meltdown while the sibling sits wondering what happened to cause it. 

Everyone in your home should learn about Asperger’s Syndrome.  Even small children can be told why their sibling acts the way he does in a way they can understand.  Simple, matter-of-fact explanations will satisfy the younger ones.  Allow the children to ask questions.  Negative effects on siblings will be diminished if they are informed.  Young children do not like personal mysteries.

Here are some additional ideas for you to use to help your other children deal with Asperger’s Syndrome.

* There are books written specifically for the siblings of children with Asperger’s Syndrome.  These books are available for all ages and come in the form of non-fiction essays by real children, fictional storybooks, books written by teens with Asperger’s, and personal accounts written by parents or adult siblings to name a few.  You should be able to find just what you need for your child’s siblings.  A possible choice is “Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs” by Donald Meyer, editor.  This book is a collection of essays written by the siblings of children with Asperger’s Syndrome.  They range in age from four to eighteen. 

* Special attention is a necessity for the siblings of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome.  The child with Asperger’s unintentionally demands attention.  His behaviors are questionable in his sibling’s eyes; they would never get by with doing some of those things.  Schedule regular one-on-one outings or play dates with each child.  Give each one your undivided attention and make them feel special as often as possible.  They need you and yes, you need them.
 
* Family counseling can help with all sorts of negative feelings, especially once the siblings get older.  The child with Asperger’s can embarrass them.  Having a safe place to vent frustrations and negative feelings will keep your household feeling positive while everyone makes the most of having a compassionate listener.

Siblings of a child with Asperger’s should suffer no ill effects when living in a balanced, supportive home.  Take steps when they are young to minimize any negatives and help them grow up to be caring, compassionate adults.

That’s all for this week and have a great week,

Dave Angel

============================================================

Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

============================================================

What tips can you give me to help my son with Aspergers to cope with his first day at college?

More children with Asperger’s Syndrome are going off to college now than ever before. While college is a big step in every teen’s life, you can help make the transition go smoothly with a little advanced preparation. Until he leaves, you are still in command. You can help him …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/331.cfm

============================================================

We are planning a family holiday this year with our child who has Aspergers – any tips?

There is just nothing better than a family holiday! Asperger’s Syndrome should not stand in the way of a fun family adventure. With a little advanced planning and extra consideration, you can arrange a trip that will be a great memory for years to come …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/330.cfm

============================================================

What tips can you give me to help my son with Aspergers to cope with his first day at college?

More children with Asperger’s Syndrome are going off to college now than ever before. While college is a big step in every teen’s life, you can help make the transition go smoothly with a little advanced preparation. Until he leaves, you are still in command. You can help him …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/329.cfm

============================================================

Hi there and welcome to this week’s Aspergers blog post; coming up below …

Just a quick reminder first of the 25% off offer for The Parenting Aspergers Volume 2 which is available for several days more at http://parentingaspergers.com/thankyouoffer.html

Here’s this week’s article …

Question

Where can I get help in dealing with my own feelings and the reactions of others, especially family members?

Answer

The biggest step a parent has to take after the diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome is acknowledgement and acceptance.  As hard as it sounds right now, you have to accept the diagnosis and move on. 

It helps if your family is supportive and understanding, but this isn’t always the case.  Your child appears normal and intelligent (which he is) so his behavior draws unwanted attention and unwarranted remarks from the people you love.  Honestly, sometimes you cannot be sure if his behavior is deliberate or not.  Here are some suggestions on how to deal with the issues that Asperger’s brings into your life.

Come to terms with the Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis

It is what it is.  Think of your child’s diagnosis as information.  Your child is the same child he was before the diagnosis.  Now you have an explanation for his weaknesses and even some of his strengths.   Keep a positive attitude by focusing on the strengths. 

Educate yourself and your family about Asperger’s Syndrome

You must learn all you can about Asperger’s.  There are many books available written by professionals and by parents of children with Asperger’s.  For example, “Embarrassed Often…Ashamed Never” by Lisa Elliott is an encouraging and often humorous glimpse into her life as the parent of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome.  This is a great choice for parents and family members of a child with Asperger’s.

Find local Asperger’s Syndrome support groups

Connect with local families who have been where you are in the process.  These families know firsthand what it’s like to live with Asperger’s.   It is comforting and powerful to be with others who are on the same journey.  These support groups can help you find treatment resources in your area, community events for your family to attend, and more.   

Seek individual and family counseling

Asperger’s brings an added risk of anxiety and depression. Your child will benefit from counseling. While seeking a counselor for your child, consider finding a family counselor.  You are all affected emotionally be this diagnosis.  Individual and family therapy can help you work through the rough spots that will come.

Keep a check on your physical well-being

Regular medical care is necessary since stress can cause physical illness.  Your well-being is necessary in order to care for your family.  Allow time for yourself and your hobbies.  Plan regular outings and just be a family.  Asperger’s shouldn’t control your life. 

Don’t let the cynics get you down.  You can’t stop people from reacting negatively to your child, but you can stop responding to their negativity.  If they miss the joy of knowing your child, that is their problem.

Have a great day,

Dave Angel

PS – Don’t forget the current Aspergers Volume 2 special offer at http://parentingaspergers.com/thankyouoffer.html

============================================================

Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

============================================================

My 9-year-old son is having problems in Physical Education Class at school. His teachers don’t know what or how to cope with him when he starts to run away, and doesn’t want to do what the rest of the class is doing in P.E. What suggestions can I give them on how to deal with him in that class?

Physical education class can be a very frustrating experience for a child with Asperger’s. Gyms can be loud and overwhelming, with lots of activity going on. Often, there is music and people talking and shouting. These are all very normal behaviors, but they can be overwhelming for your son and he can feel very out of control in that atmosphere. One way to try to help you son deal with physical education class is to … To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/328.cfm

============================================================

Can children with Aspergers have some of the characteristics of Aspergers and not others?

The short answer to your question is that yes, many children will exhibit some symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome and not others. Many children will have Asperger’s compounded by other factors, such as ADD or ADHD, which can intensify some symptoms of Asperger’s as well as to add additional symptoms. While it is impossible to say that there is a set of symptoms all children with Asperger’s exhibit, there are a few cores symptoms that most children with Asperger’s will present … To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/327.cfm

============================================================

Is it possible to have varying degrees of the Syndrome and is it possible to grow out of it a bit and mature? Some mild, some middle and some severe cases?

There are varying degrees of Asperger’s Syndrome. The symptoms vary from person to person and the degree to which the symptoms affect the person can vary as well. Consequently, it is very difficult to pinpoint a set of Asperger’s behaviors that all children with Asperger’s will exhibit. It is not possible to grow out of Asperger’s Syndrome. It is possible, however to … To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/326.cfm

============================================================