PARENTING ASPERGERS AND AUTISM NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 33       
July 2009        

Hi,

This is Dave Angel.  Welcome to the thirty-third edition  of “The Parenting Autism & Asperger’s Newsletter”

Inside this edition you will find:

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

2. In the News – Teenage Boy with Asperger’s Syndrome Nominated for Big Skill Award 

3. Prominent People Linked with ASD – Dr. Temple Grandin, Best-selling Author and Livestock Industry Consultant

Also a quick reminder that my review of “The Total Transformation Program” is online to read at http://parentingaspergers.com/blog/total-transformation-review/ if you haven’t yet seen it, and are interested.

Thanks

Dave
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1. Hot Topic of Discussion –Asperger’s Syndrome And Anorexia

In recent studies, scientists have found that people with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa have a higher possibility of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome. It is already known that symptoms between the two disorders are common but it is only recently that researchers suggest that both Asperger’s syndrome and anorexia may share the same neurobiological basis. 

According to psychiatry professor Janet Treasure and Asperger’s syndrome expert Tony Attwood, 20% of patients with anorexia meet the diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s syndrome. Symptoms that are common to both Asperger’s Syndrome and anorexia are as follows:
* Attention to small details 
* Easily distracted
* Obsessive/Compulsive behavior
* Inability to multitask
* Presence of anxiety or mood disorders
* Abnormal eating behaviors

People with Asperger’s syndrome are usually unable to tolerate different kinds of food and may often times feel nauseated on the smell, taste, presentation and texture of food. This behavior may result to excessive loss of weight and eventually may lead to eating disorders such as anorexia.

 To read the full article, go to: http://autismaspergerssyndrome.suite101.com/article.cfm/aspergers_syndrome_and_anorexia

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

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2.  In the News – Teenage Boy with Asperger’s Syndrome Nominated For Big Skill Award 
Jack Bainbridge, a sixteen year old boy who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, is nominated for BBC East/Learning and Skills Council’s 2009 Big Skill Award. Jack discovered his talent when he first started painting people’s facial expressions. Those who are affected with Asperger’s syndrome usually have a hard time identifying the different facial expressions and Jack found a way to overcome his difficulties through art.
Since Jack’s discovery of his talent, he has done several works of art including a sculpture that is currently displayed outside of his school and he also has submitted his own design of a commemorative coin for the 2012 Olympics. 
Aside from art, Jack is also a skilled rugby player and is one of the top players for Cambridgeshire.
To read the full article, go to:
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Award-nomination-for-Jack39s-stunning.5362734.jp

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

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3. Prominent People Linked with ASD – Dr. Temple Grandin, Best-selling Author and Livestock Industry Consultant
Dr. Temple Grandin was born in August 29, 1947 in Boston, Massachusetts. At two years old, Dr. Grandin was diagnosed with brain damage and in the 1950s, she was diagnosed with autism.

In 1970, Dr. Grandin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and she received her Doctorate in Animal Science in 1975. Grandin is a well known best selling author and a consultant in the livestock industry. She is also an active advocate for Autism and Asperger’s syndrome and a leader in animal welfare.

Dr. Temple Grandin has published several books and articles and has appeared in numerous television programs such as Larry King Live and The Today Show. She is also the subject of an HBO Film currently titled, Temple Grandin Thinking in Pictures.

To see the full text of the article go to:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin

People mentioned above may have Asperger’s Syndrome, but were never formally diagnosed.
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The next edition of the newsletter is due in August, 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

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Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

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I have a question regarding Neurotherapy for Asperger’s kids.  It is helpful?  What is its success rate?

Upon learning that a child has Asperger’s Syndrome, most parents will begin to research treatments. There are several places you can get information about treatments. However, getting involved with other people affected by this diagnosis is the best way to find out about the different options you have for treatment and learning about what works and why. You do have to remember that kids with the Asperger’s are all …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/292.cfm

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My daughter is 17 years old.  She wants to drive but I worry that she will go into ‘Asperger’s mode’ and zone out while driving.  When we talk about driving I explain to her that she needs to be paying attention at all times.  Her response is “I don’t know if I can do that.”  Any suggestions?

One of the first, most obvious life transitions for a teen is reaching the legal driving age. That driver’s license screams adulthood and independence. Every teen dreams of the day they can jump into a car and drive away, alone and unsupervised. Yikes! Teens with Asperger’s are no different from their peers when it comes to meeting these life transitions. With a little extra preparation, your teen can …

To read the full article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/291.cfm

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My 10 year old son with Asperger’s has suddenly started sitting upside down on his chair and swinging his legs in the air during class.  He also rolls around on the floor during ‘mat time’ at school.  Nothing else has changed.  He is in a mainstream school and his teacher is at a loss.  Any ideas?

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome deal with several different issues. Some of these actually make life better, and others can cause problems in certain situations. Children with Asperger’s have normal to above-normal …

To read this article go to: -

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/290.cfm

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