Children with ASD struggle when trying to learn social skills, and the lack of social skills may have a bigger impact on their life than any other aspect. Peers can bully them for their differences and it is important that these children learn these skills as early as possible to minimize the effects of bullying and rejection from peers. Knowing these skills will help them be stronger people and make them less vulnerable to the actions of others.

Children learn from stories that share the same experiences that they may be having. Reading to your ASD child also provides the opportunity to provide the repetition that they need to absorb learning of new skills. It also provides the opportunity to role play skills that they don’t seem to comprehend simply from the story. Further, the reading of these stories lets ASD children that they are not alone in the challenges that they face.

Diane Murrell, the author of two stories is the parent of children with ASD and has a first-hand understanding of the challenges they face. Tobin Learns to Make Friends teaches some of the skills necessary to make friends.

Children with ASD want to make and keep friends but often lack the skills to do so. Murrel highlights some of the skills necessary using incidents of shouting, crowding, sharing, borrowing, interrupting, taking turns, being kind, having good manners, and following rules.

Also by the same author Oliver Onion - The Onion Who Learns to Accept and Be Himself builds on the friendship building skills that were learned in “Tobin Learns to Make Friends,” This book is aimed at children aged 4-10 and helps children with ASD accept who they are.

Being a member of a family in which one or more members have Aspergers syndrome can be extremely stressful at times. Sometimes it seems as if the entire family focus is on the Aspergers child and on the various tantrums and behaviors that come with it. Family members, and especially parents, can feel a low level of anxiety in anticipation of what could happen next.

It’s vital to take steps as a parent or family member to take time for yourself away from the situation when things feel overwhelming. Take turns with the other parent so you each have peaceful times away from the situation. If possible, spend one on one time with other children in the home. This will reduce their stress level as well.

Get plenty of sleep. If your Aspergers syndrome child has difficulty sleeping, speak with his or her doctor to find ways to help your child sleep better so you can get your sleep, too. Don’t be afraid to take naps so you have enough rest to cope with whatever comes.

Don’t skip meals and eat as healthy as you can. If your child is on a special diet, make sure that the rest of the family and you get the type of nourishment that suits you best and revives your energy levels.

Consider exercising with or without your child. Take walks or bicycle rides to calm your nerves and increase your body’s endorphin levels. Stress levels automatically decrease with exercising just a few times per week.

Some herbal supplements like kava kava, valerian root and St. John’s Wort have relaxation and calming properties. In serious situations, these herbs can come in handy when you just can seem to stem the anxiety on your own. For questions about herbal supplements, speak to your doctor. There is a great website that sells these product at 20-70% discount called EVitamins which you can visit to search for more information on them.

If the family appears to be in crisis over the stress and anxiety of some of its members, family therapy can be very helpful. Individual therapy is also an option for those family members needing extra help. Often the therapist can coach you in the coping skills necessary to stay healthy and to raise your Aspergers syndrome child as best as is possible.

PARENTING AUTISM & ASPERGERS NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 16
FEBRUARY 2008

This is Dave Angel and Welcome to the sixteenth edition
of “The Parenting Autism & Aspergers Newsletter”…..

Inside this edition you will find:

1. Thank You and the Broken Blog………

2. Hot Topic of Discussion - Wifi causes autism?

3. In the News – The Kirton Family who have 6 children with
autism

4. Parenting Tips - Finding the right physician

5. Famous Autistic Person - Tito Mukhopadhyay

Best Wishes

Dave Angel

————————————————————-

1. Thank You

I just wanted to say a big Thank You to everyone who took part
in the competition on the blog in January……and everyone who
recently purchased a copy of The Parenting Aspergers Volume 2.

I really appreciate your support and commitment which allows me
to keep this whole things running.

Just a couple of housekeeping bits on this topic:

* The Parenting Aspergers Volume 2 is now no longer available
at the special pre-release price.

But if you still would like a copy its been released to the
general public and you can get a copy at:

http://www.ParentingAspergers.com/Volume2.htm

* I had my web guy make some changes to the blog as a number
of people said that they could not read it too well in their
browser.

I would really appreciate if you could email me back at
sales@parentingaspergers.com to let me know if this has solved
the problem………..or you can just put a short post on the
blog to tell me.

————————————————————

2. Hot Topic of Discussion - Wifi causes autism?

Recently according to a study by Dr. George Carlo in
Australasian Journal of Clinical Environmental Medicine,
the signals emitted by Wi-Fi routers cause metals to be
trapped in brain cells, thereby accelerating the onset of
autism.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting one this!

Just wondering how generations of children with autism in
the pre-technology age ever managed to become diagnosed with
autism?!

I have looked into this a little more and as far as I can tell
there appears to be no/little scientific evidence to back this
up……..

There are blogs all over the web debating it (as with any bits
of news……….particularly if it’s to do with geeky techno
appliances or possible “government conspiracy” theories)…

One post I read which I found helpful was:

“The increase in incidence of autism far pre-dates significant
use of wireless technology, more specifically WiFi.

I also recommend you google “Australasian Journal of Clinical
Environmental Medicine.”

No one can find it and it’s being treated as a hoax by several
autism sites.”

Now I have no doubt that wi-fi like many modern technologies
could be a potential source of all kinds of damaging toxins…

But for goodness sake leave autism out of it unless there’s some
real proof………

There appears to be no real evidence and all something like
this tends to do is add to the often negative perception
of the media and general public that autism is something to fear
and not something to understand………..
———————————————————–

3. In the News – The Kirton Family who have 6 children with autism

Many of you in the USA may have already seen the Kirton family
on the Good Morning America show and no doubt they have been
in the newspapers too with such national exposure.

Well they are a family where all 6 children are diagnosed with
autism.

Their full range of children are:

Robert (Bobby), boy, 14, - High functioning Autism

Emma girl, 9 - Aspergers

Nephi (Nee-fi), boy, 8, - Aspergers

Sarah girl, 6, - Classic Autism

Ammon boy, 4, - Classic Autism

Mary girl, 3, - PDD-NOS

Now according to research this is an extremely rare situation
as the stat’s say that if you have a child with autism the
chances are only about 15% that you will have a sibling with a
similar diagnosis………

Well so much for statistics………!

I have known families with 2 autistic children and felt that
their parents have done a great job in circumstances that can
be very challenging at times.

But for Robin and John Kirton to raise 6 children with autism;
well my hat goes off to them………

It’s quite frankly an amazing achievement up there with any
Pulitzer, Oscar or Nobel Peace Prize winner……….

But like so many parents they will just go about their
daily business coping with the many challenges that arise and
also enjoying the good times that will also be there too….

Here’s what they say in their own words about their
children………

“They’re just so wonderful in their own unique ways, and we
accept them and love them for who they are, and they just
bring so much joy into our lives, and we just love being their
parents,” says Robin.

“We do love them, and want to take care of them, and just hope
for a better day to make their lives easier,” says John.

In addition to their busy schedule they have started their
owen website to support other parents and have designed some
great tshirts for children with autism…..

My 2 favourites have the following great slogans on them:

“I’m Autistic and I think you’re wierd too!”

“Eye contact is OVERRATED”

Check out their website at http://www.autismbites.com/
which also has links to their tshirts…

To read about their story at ABC online go to:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=4245377&page=1
————————————————————-

4. Parenting Tips - Finding the right physician

Thanks to everyone who emailed in with their parenting tips
last month………they are much appreciated by everyone…

This month’s tip comes from Terry (in Georgia) so thanks again
Terry…….and here’s the tip…..

“Don’t know if this is the kind of “tip” you seek for your
newsletter but …My grandson was diagnosed as Asperger/ADHD
in 2007 after much frustration,changes in medications for
ADHD, etc.

Our local pediatric community was of virtually no help (as
would be the situation in most small/mid-size communities).

After several fruitless searches and useless referrals, we
found a Developmental Pediatrician whose specialty is
ADD/ADHD/Asperger.

Anyone within driving distance of Macon, Georgia might like to
know there is understanding and assistance in the offices of
Dr. Stephen Copps and Mark Prigitano, therapist who works
with Dr. Copps to help children develop social skills, greater
self-esteem, etc.

Terry”

————————————————————-

5. Famous Autistic Person - Tito Mukhopadhyay

Tito is a young man from India who is diagnosed with severe
autism and who has virtually no verbal communication skills.

But he is able to write and communicate through the most
eloquent writing and poetry; and has even won national
awards for this.

He was featured a lot in the media in India before he and his
mother were sponsored to go to the USA by the Autism Speaks
Group.

In fact in previous newsletters I have mentioned his mum as
she introduced an approach to autism called “The Rapid
Prompting Method”.

He has now written several books:

“Beyond the Silence: my life, the world and autism”

and

“The Gold of The Sunbeams”.

You can read more about Tito at:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/tito.php

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Mukhopadhyay
————————————————————-

Well that’s all for this edition and I hope you
enjoyed it.

The next edition of the newsletter should be due in
mid-March.

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 (send them to:
tips@parentingaspergers.com).

We will publish as many as we can.

Until next month………

Best Wishes

Dave Angel

Children with Aspergers syndrome are known to have several comorbid conditions. Comorbid conditions are those conditions or diseases that go along with having Aspergers syndrome. One of these conditions is known as ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sometimes, these children can be misdiagnosed as only having the more common ADHD, with the Aspergers syndrome being missed.

Obsessive compulsive disorder can be a comorbidity with Aspergers syndrome. In some cases, this doesn’t show up until the Aspergers syndrome individual is an adult. What both conditions have in common is the need for order, and the presence of compulsive, sometimes irrational, repetitive behaviors. Some scientists believe that there is a neurological relationship between the two conditions.

Because those with Aspergers syndrome know they are different and have difficulty relating to others, they often suffer from acute or chronic depression. Others can have anger or violent symptoms out of frustration for being “out of place”. There have been reports of suicide and suicide attempts among those with Aspergers syndrome. The symptoms of depression can respond to antidepressant therapy and also to psychological therapy, aimed at helping the Aspergers syndrome patient feel more accepted and acceptable to others.

Seizures are a common comorbidity of Aspergers syndrome with some researchers believing that up to 30 percent of Aspergers syndrome children also have a seizure disorder. Medication can work in some cases, while other sufferers require specialized brain surgery to be free of seizures. While the Aspergers syndrome itself has no known cure or medications specifically designed for it, many of the comorbidities can be treated effectively. Not only can seizures and depression be treated, but the ADHD and obsessive compulsive symptoms have known medical therapies directed at helping them. Using these medications can often make the Aspergers syndrome symptoms more tolerable and increases the functioning of the individual who is experiencing it.

To discover All Natural Approaches to dealing with comorbid conditions go to: www.NativeRemedies.com

Hello again here’s this week latest blog post coming up…….

But just before that a big thank you and well done to last week’s competition winner who is Elizabeth Ellis - a free copy of the “Parenting Asperger’s Resource Guide Volume 2” is on it’s way shortly to you Elizabeth ………..as long as you can come back to the blog and give me your email address (as I don’t seem to have it)!

…….If you wish to read her tip it is Number 6 in the comments section on the following blog page:

http://www.parentingaspergers.com/blog/2008/01/29/children-with-aspergers-and-their-pets/

Anyway BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TIME………the Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide Volume 2 is now 100% ready…………

I will be sending an email to all of you who are subscribers to my free email tips, newsletters and blog articles on Wednesday 6^th February at 9pm UK Time / 4pm EST and 1pm PST in the USA……..

………so if you are not signed up for my free email alerts I suggest you do so in the “sign up box” at the bottom of this blog page immediately – otherwise you’ll miss out!………….

The email on Wednesday will tell you all about how you can get hold of your own copy of this Brand New Resource at a heavily discounted rate for an exclusive 72 hour period only……………

So look out for the email which will be titled:

“72 Hour Exclusive Offer for The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide Volume 2”

Anyway on to this week’s article about “How to cope with bullying……”

Children with Aspergers syndrome often exhibit behaviors that are peculiar enough to hold the attention of children who do not have the best interests of the child in mind. Besides simple teasing, bullying of the Aspergers child can happen in situations in which the Aspergers child has little ability to protect him or herself.

Fortunately, if such bullying happens in school, it can be managed more easily, provided your child divulges that it is going on. Most schools are cracking down on bullying and are treating such behavior as assault and punishable by legal means. Parents have every right to speak with the principal, teacher or counselor in order to ask their help in controlling the bullies. Some schools have behavioral support staff whose job it is to get to the bottom of behavior issues and crack down on bullies.

Teach your child to walk away from bullies, preferably before they get started. Help the child learn to recognize those situations that may lead to bullying, such as after school, on the playground or in lunch and teach the child to be more vigilant and stay near adults in such circumstances.

Sometimes, just having another friend around may reduce the incidence of bullying. If your child has problems making friends on his or her own, facilitate friendships with mature, understanding children who can both be a friend to your child and can help out if bullies try to tease or hurt the Aspergers child. Facilitating friendships may mean inviting a child over for a meal or for some games or television. It may mean taking the two children to a movie or on a shopping trip.

Bullies are a fact of life for some children with Aspergers syndrome. The more a parent can do to intervene with the help of other adults or children and teach the Aspergers child mechanisms for self preservation that don’t include fighting back, the better able the Aspergers child can be in dealing with this difficult situation.

Well that’s all for the article – but don’t forget to watch out for that Exclusive Free Subscriber Discount Email for the “Parenting Asperger’s Resource Guide Volume 2” this Wednesday 6^th February at 9pm UK Time / 4pm EST and 1pm PST in the USA…but until then…………

Best Wishes

Dave Angel