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

Thanks to all of you who have sent in suggestions for the “Back to School” survey – I will get writing that resource pretty soon.

Here’s this week’s article …

Question

How to balance out the needs of two children on the spectrum and two NT kids?

Answer

Parenting is hard work.  Unless you have a child with Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism, you just have no idea about the true demands this adds to everyday parenting.  A second child on the spectrum does not always mean more of the same because every child is affected so differently.  Balancing the needs of a large family is a full time job, even without Asperger’s Syndrome!

It is easy to feel overwhelmed and stretched too thin when you have so much on your parenting plate.  Planning a strategy to help meet everyone’s needs is necessary.  Don’t forget to take care of yourself so you’ll feel like taking care of everyone else.

Taking care of yourself

.    Participate in support groups focused on the needs of Asperger’s families.

.    Find respite care when you need a break.  Everyone deserves to get out and relax for an hour or so.

.    Do not ignore your hobbies.  A mother with four kids is going to have to schedule time for hobbies, but it is important to do things you enjoy for relaxation and personal growth.

.    Keep in touch with your friends.  You need this form of support.  Your friends know you and know how to lift your spirits and keep you motivated.

Taking care of your kids

.    Spend one-on-one time with each child.  Focus a little time each week on each child.  They all enjoy the special attention and it gives you a chance to teach each one something new or enjoy a favorite-shared activity.

.    Keep in touch with each child’s teacher.  The children spend a big chunk of time at school.  Knowing what is going on at school will help you be a more effective parent and advocate for your children.

.    Look for ways to make life fun and ‘normal’ for your family.  “Top Ten Tips: A Survival Guide for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum” by Teresa A. Cardon, M.A., CCC-SLP; foreword by Kristi Sakai is a book that lists practical tips for living with Asperger’s and how to blend all of your family into everyday life situations.  Suggestions cover life at home, at school, and in the community.  Read about this book at

.    Listen to each of your children.  Sometimes moms of many can get so busy that they forget to stop and listen.  A few minutes of listening to each child can clarify the causes of problem behavior or illuminate special moments.

Finding balance is a goal for which to aim.  With a little investigation and preparation, you will find what works for each of your children and your family as a whole.

That’s all for this week, so have a great week.

Thanks

Dave Angel

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Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

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How can I find out the proper treatment/therapy options for Asperger’s?

Treatment for Asperger’s Syndrome strives to increase communication skills, social skills, and to modify certain behaviors. Treatment options for your child with Asperger’s will be an individual program designed by your child’s physician, behavioural therapist, and yourself. Many children with Asperger’s Syndrome have coexisting conditions that can complicate the diagnostic process for your child. Children may …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/288.cfm

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I want to help my son to have a life as he has no confidence due to severe school bullying. Although has amazing high school exam results and has completed a novice triathlon, he is very depressed.

Children with Asperger’s can often have a difficult time in school. School bullies often target their behaviors. A student with Asperger’s is often a loner who might have trouble talking with people and interacting in groups. Sometimes, a child with Asperger’s has some trouble with physical coordination. In the classroom, a child with Asperger’s might not understand which questions are appropriate to ask and which are not. All these behaviour are …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/287.cfm

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How can I help my son to understand what others truly mean?

For children with Asperger’s, understanding social interactions can be truly puzzling and confusing. The difficulties of reading verbal cues and facial cues can be overwhelming for some and not noticed by others. Whether there is too much social information to be decoded or social information is just not noticed, your child with Asperger’s is going to need some help learning how to interact with people. One way to help your son understand social cues is to …

To read this article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/286.cfm

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