PARENTING AUTISM & ASPERGER’S NEWSLETTER
August 2010        

Welcome to the August 2010 edition of “The Parenting Autism & Asperger’s Newsletter”. 

Inside this edition you will find:

1. Hot Topic of Discussion – Farm Animals Enhance Autism Therapy

2. In the News – Insurance Company’s Refusal to Pay for ABA Therapy Leads to Law Suit

3. Prominent People Linked with ASD – Child Artist, Dylan Scott Pierce

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1. Hot Topic of Discussion -  

Children have a natural attraction to animals.  Dogs, horses, dolphins, and bunnies are just a few child-friendly favorites.  These animals (and others) are often used to motivate, teach, and protect children with special needs. 

Doctors who specialize in Autism treatments are learning the benefits of using animals in therapy sessions.   Dr. Marvin Anderson of Michigan is a medical doctor currently listed as a DAN! (Defeat Autism NOW) specialist.  He uses biomedicine, nutrition, and the animals on his farm to treat his patients living with Autism.  You can read more about Dr. Anderson and some of his colleagues in this article from the Traverse City, Michigan, Record-Eagle:
http://record-eagle.com/features/x241876608/Horses-donkeys-sheep-help-with-autism.
*People mentioned as having Asperger’s Syndrome may or may not have actually have been diagnosed with an ASD.

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2.  In the News – American Insurance Company Hit with another Autism Related Class Action Lawsuit
Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Company has once again been hit will a class action lawsuit for refusing to cover ABA therapy for children with Autism.   A Michigan teacher filed the class action on July 22, 2010 due to the insurance company’s classification of Applied Behavior Analysis as an experimental treatment. 

Earlier this year, a settlement was awarded to 100 families included in a similar class action against the company.  You can read more about that victory and this new class action, by clicking the link below:
http://www.theautismnews.com/2010/07/22/another-class-action-filed-against-blue-cross-blue-shield-of-michigan-over-its-refusal-to-pay-for-applied-behavior-analysis-therapy-for-autistic-children/.
*People mentioned as having Asperger’s Syndrome may or may not have actually have been diagnosed with an ASD.
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3. Prominent People Linked with ASD – Child Artist, Dylan Scott Pierce

Dylan’s parents knew he was special from a very early age.  As a toddler, he drew incredible pictures.  By the time he was 10, he was being commissioned and was on his way to becoming a famous wildlife artist.  Now in his twenties, Dylan travels, paints, and participates in many art exhibits each year.  Dylan has high functioning Autism.  You can learn more about his remarkable talent and his selfless heart here:
http://artistshelpingthehomeless.com/cardsforlife/bargainforlife.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Scott_Pierce.

 
*The person mentioned above may or may not have Asperger’s Syndrome.
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I hope this month’s newsletter has intrigued you and provided new and useful information.

The next edition of the newsletter is due in September 2010.
      
And as always … please send in any inspirational stories, 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

Stepping into adulthood can be a confusing and difficult time for the Asperger’s teenager.  However, it does not have to be.  Many teenagers with Asperger’s Syndrome are fairly well adjusted after years of living with the symptoms of Asperger’s and adapting to better fit into their environment.  Here are a few areas that can cause problems for the young adult with Asperger’s Syndrome.

*    Relationships and social skills

*    Post secondary education

*    Employment

*    Independent living skills

*    Self-care issues

Parents can help their Asperger’s teenager prepare for life as an adult by making sure they have the right amount of support.  Support can come from many sources.  Parents, teachers, school advisors or counselors, medical professionals, therapists, friends, and support group members cover most, if not all, of the basic areas of life.   Along with these people, your teenager can find support from published works.  The book “Asperger Download: A Guide to Help Teenage Males with Asperger Syndrome Trouble-Shoot Life’s Challenges”, by Josie and Damian Santomauro is written by a mom and her young adult son with Asperger’s Syndrome.  They cover issues that affect young men as they move into adulthood, from the Asperger’s viewpoint and from the parent’s viewpoint.

Some geographical areas offer support for the Asperger’s teenager through government agencies.  With a qualifying diagnosis, your teen may be able to receive health insurance coverage, housing assistance, various therapies, vocational training, and career counseling, just to name a few possibilities.  Check with your local government or disability services office to learn more about availability in your area.

It might help if you make a list of the skills you would like to see developing in your Asperger’s teenager.  By making this list, you will be able to see his strengths and weakness and help determine a plan for his immediate future.  Here is a sample list.

*    Basic living skills-Does he understand the importance of housekeeping, budgeting, and grocery shopping?

*    Coping skills-Can he handle the anxiety, emotions, and frustration often brought on by change?  Should he begin cognitive therapy to help with his emotions?

*    Career and college choices-Has he chosen a path based on his special interests and talents?  What colleges are grabbing his interests?  Do these schools offer disability support services?

*    Social skills and relationships-Does he have the ability to relate to others and communicate, verbally and non-verbally?  Should he continue with social skills classes or perhaps find a home program?

*    Self-care-Does he have good personal hygiene?  Does he understand the importance of regular medical care and keeping track of his medications?

Moving into adulthood does not have to be daunting for your teen with Asperger’s.  Teenagers can develop the necessary skills for college, career, and independent living with the right support.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

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For children and teens with Asperger’s, social skills are necessary, but usually lacking.  Finding resources for social skills training in the educational setting may be difficult in many areas.  If your son’s school offers social skills classes, social skills therapy, or peer mentoring, he should be participating.  If not, there may be public or community based programs, or even private therapy choices available.  These programs range in cost and availability and could be unattainable.  If this is the case, there are ways to teach these skills at home with very little cost.

Because this is so important, the Asperger’s social skills connection must be addressed as early as possible and continually supplemented as the child’s ability to understand improves with age.  Similar to basic manners, here are a few of the basic social skills that should be taught to children with Asperger’s Syndrome.

*    Personal hygiene-clean body, clean teeth, clean hair, clean clothes, etc.

*    Two way conversation-greeting, speaking, appropriate subjects, listening, answering, etc.

*    Telephone manners-salutations, listening, speaking, answering questions, taking messages, etc.

*    Table manners-using utensils, using a napkin, chewing, talking, excusing oneself, etc.

*    How to act appropriately in public-following public laws, dressing appropriately, keeping bodily functions private, being mindful of others, etc.

While teaching your child with Asperger’s social skills, you can easily incorporate basic living skills.  As your child enters the teen years, it becomes increasingly important that he knows how to manage not only himself, but also a household.  Beginning to teach basic chores and household management skills at his age will help prepare your son for his college years.  Here are a few examples of basic living skills.

*    Household chores-cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.

*    Financial-banking, paying bills, saving money, etc.

*    Maintenance-stocking groceries, changing air conditioner filters, mowing the lawn, etc.

You can teach your son with Asperger’s social skills at home by using visual and written schedules. For example, a visual aid that shows appropriate daily, weekly, and monthly hygiene will help your son keep track of what should be done, when it should be done, and how often it should be done.  You can also search the Internet of public library for books and videos to help you plan learning activities.  The video, “Manners for the Real World”, by Dan Coulter is geared towards children your son’s age.  It covers personal hygiene, table manners, telephone use, and much more.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

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http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/575.cfm

For children with Asperger’s, transition between schools will evoke a wide range of negative emotions.  Change is difficult for children with Asperger’s and when a new school year rolls around, everything changes.  New classmates, new teachers, and new schedules can cause major anxiety, which can spiral to depression. 

Dealing with the Asperger’s transition problems can also affect your child’s home life.  Anxiety brought about at school will carry over at home causing disruption.  Anger and frustration can escalate, triggering meltdowns.  While the transition at school cannot be avoided, there are things a parent can do to lessen the effects of all the change that comes with moving to a new school.   Here are some tips to help you deal with this unstable period in your child’s life.

Plan ahead

Begin planning for the Asperger’s transition phase well in advance.  Make a checklist of people to speak with and places to visit.  Your list may look like this:

* Visit current teachers and therapists and request their help. 

* Create a visual calendar that shows when the change will occur.

* Talk to my child about the changes that are coming.

* Visit the new school for a tour and then plan a visit with my child.

* Meet with the special education coordinator at the new school to discuss my child and ways this person can help with the transition.

* Schedule doctor’s appointments and therapy appointments to discuss counseling, medication, and any other available forms of help for my child’s transition.

Prepare your child

Parents must prepare their child for the Asperger’s transition period.  Talk with your child about the change that is coming long before it actually happens.  For example, near the end of this school year you can mention during your drives to school how your morning drive will be different next year.  This will most likely bring protests, and this will give you a chance to talk positively about the new school.  Keep it light and without pressure. 

Prime the school staff

The teachers and therapists at your child’s new school should know all about your child with Asperger’s.  Transition will be less difficult if the new school staff has a plan in place specifically for your child.

Put together a support program

A complete and dedicated team should be in place for your child with Asperger’s.  Transition team members may include the pediatrician, neurologist, psychologist, school counselor, teacher, and most importantly, the parents.  While the medical community may rely on medical tests, medications, and therapies, the parents can offer support at home.  Parents can find resources like books and videos to help them encourage their child.  “Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success”, by Brenda Smith Myles & Diane Adreon, is one such example. 

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

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Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

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Can you tell me about research on Amygdala and links to Aspergers?

As advances are made in the areas of medical and scientific research, specialists are learning more about possible causes and concerns related to Aspergers. Amygdala research has revealed possible connections of this section of the brain to Autism spectrum conditions. Recent research has revealed an increasing number of gene mutations in people affected by Autism, as well as actual differences in additional sections of brain matter…

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/572.cfm

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Can I expect my son with Aspergers to ever be able to negotiate the adult world with success? He has so much trouble with social interaction. He is so much younger socially than his peers, I cannot imagine him suddenly being able to sell himself in an interview, get a date, keep his mind on his job and gain some respect from co-workers.

Older teens and young adults with Aspergers Syndrome are usually capable of handling life in the real world. On most occasions, you can expect your son with Aspergers to make his way in the world as an independent adult. However, his ways may not be conventional, and the process may look a little different from that of the typical young adult. Most likely, he will learn to adapt and find a way to do most of the things his peers are doing …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/571.cfm

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How to deal with children with Aspergers that have OCD for example homework, or trying something new to eat?

There is some confusion regarding the multiple Aspergers OCD diagnosis. Many people believe the symptoms of each condition are too similar to differentiate. Even though both conditions are neurologically based, they have distinctive differences. It is possible for a child to have both Aspergers Syndrome and OCD. While the repetitive behaviors of each condition appear to be exactly the same, the difference lies in the motivation. The obsessive behaviors of Aspergers tend to be a part of the individual’s personality, which is sensory in nature. The obsessions of OCD tend to be caused by fear and anxiety raised by unmanageable thought. . .

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/570.cfm