Welcome to the twenty-third edition of “The Parenting Autism & Aspergers Newsletter”…

Inside this edition you will find:

1. Hot Topic of Discussion - Handling Big Emotions and Asperger
Syndrome by Lisa Jo Rudy

2. In the News – Autism, Aspergers and Evolution By Rusty Rockets

3. Parenting Tips - Making Friends - How Parents Can
Help Their Kids With Friendship By Patricia J. Robinson

4. Prominent People Linked with ASD - Charles Lindbergh, Aviator

Thanks

Dave

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1. Hot Topic of Discussion - Handling Big Emotions and Asperger
Syndrome by Lisa Jo Rudy

(Question) Many people believe that people with autism have fewer
and less intense emotions than their peers. But those of us who know
Aspies know how wrong that is. It appears to us that people with
autism are more emotional than neurotypical folks.  An example
of this is Aspie teenagers who manage just fine at school for
awhile, but suddenly break down into tears, a panic attack, or
a tantrum when something goes wrong. How do parents help them
manage overwhelming anxiety/emotion?

(Answer) There are simple tricks like deep breathing, counting,
or stepping away, but it is not always easy for Aspies to
remember to use them. It helps to do something to decrease the
emotionality of a situation, if possible. Music helped me do that
because I could pour my emotions into it. Sometimes I would
explore the hills and meadows around my home. It helped to be
involved in activities that I enjoyed, that helped me make
friends. In my teen years, I was focused on myself and could not
sense what others felt or feel empathy for them. I eventually
learned to get rid of people who tried to become friends with
me for my financial means and those who wanted to involve me
in inappropriate activities.

To read the full article please go to: http://autism.about.com/b/2008/07/28/your-advice-requested-handling-big-emotions-and-asperger-syndrome.htm

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

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2. In the News – 28 July 2005: Autism, Aspergers and Evolution
By Rusty Rockets

What is the difference between a genetic abnormality and genetic
evolution? Is genetic evolution resposible for mental disorders?
Researchers do not know the causes of autism and Aspergers disorders,
but they believe that autism and Aspergers are genetically oriented.
Are these “disorders” actually evolution at work?

“From my clinical experience I consider that children and adults
with Aspergers Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of
thinking,” states Tony Attwood, a clinical psychologist and author
of Aspergers Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals.
“Each person has a perspective on the world; autism and Asperger’s
may be the extremes of individual perspectives. The information that
our brains receive is analyzed and processed to cope with everyday life.
How this happens depends on how our brains are constructed and how genes
and DNA allow our brains to operate.”

This creates great variation in individual people and external factors
may also affect how genes work. Recent studies show that autism and
Aspergers probably do have genetic roots.  Experts claim that autism
occurs in 1:1000, and Aspergers disorder in 1:150 to 1:500 so there
are myriad ways in which people interpret the world, and perspectives
might be passed on to children and grandchildren.

A study by the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, published in the American
Journal of Psychiatry, claims that autism is a result of between five
and ten genetic mutations. “Having one of these variants appears to
approximately double an individuals risk for the disorder, but it is
an accumulation of genetic factors that cause the disease,” says Joseph
Buxbaum, Associate Professor of Psychiatry. “Identifying all or most of
the genes involved will lead to new diagnostic tools and new approaches
to treatment,” Buxbaum concludes. Considering that autism affects
a person’s mental condition, any treatment for autism or Aspergers
may also change personality; something to think about! If
autism is separated from the person, the person who is left will not
be the same person.

If autism is proven to be genetic, it cannot be “cured” without changing
the person dramatically.  So, are these “disorders” really evolution
at work?

To read the article go to: http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/autism_evolution.shtml

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

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3. Parenting Tips - Making Friends - How Parents Can Help Their Kids
With Friendship By Patricia J. Robinson

For some children, especially those diagnosed with autism, Aspergers,
or ADHD, making friends can be very difficult. If a child cannot make
and keep friends, life is miserable. But, there are simple steps that
parents can take to help make friendships easier for children.

1. Talk about it. Make sure there really is a problem. Some kids need
a lot of alone time.  Discuss friendship with your child and set a
realistic goal, such as two friends or someone to eat lunch with.

2. Get to know other parents. Other parents are a great resource and
can introduce your child around. A great place to meet them is
after school when you pick up your kid. Show up early, smile and chat,
while your child plays with the other kids.  For older kids, volunteer
at school as a way to meet other parents.

3. Join groups. Find a group your child can join: scouts, after
school classes, a sports team, or play group.

4. Work on social skills. Watch your child as he or she interacts with
other children.  What problems do you see?  Wait until you get home and
then talk to your child; if problems are serious or numerous, handle
them in a social skills group.

5. Pay attention to appearance. Observe the other kids at school. Does
your child stand out from the rest? Get rid of the too-short pants and
over-sized sweatshirt so your child will fit in with the group. Pay attention
to hygiene and behavior. Behavior that is appropriate for much younger
children can be the kiss of death as your child gets older.

6. Beware of being too different.  Even though your child may be brilliant
and unique, other kids may just think he is weird if he cannot discuss
kid-type interests. He does not have to give up his special interests.
Supplement them with knowledge that kids of his age have and enjoy sharing. Sit down as a family and watch popular TV shows or current movies.

7. Invite someone over. Discuss in advance what activities your child might
enjoy with a friend, role play a bit, and then step out of the picture.
Set up a few simple projects in case things do not go smoothly, such as an easy craft or a movie.

8. If your child can make just one friend, that makes the school day enjoyable. He will have a partner for projects and someone to eat lunch with.

9. But, if at all possible, encourage your child to develop more friendships so that the one friend will not get burned out.

10. The teacher may be able to step in and assist your child. Many teachers will set up work groups to help shy kids socialize. Find a social skills group.
Therapists can work on the basics with your child, too.

To read the full article go to: http://patriciarobinsonmft.com/download.asp

Please post any tips that you have and I will publish them.

You can post them at:

http://parentingaspergers.com/blog/parenting-tips-wanted/

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4. Prominent People Linked with ASD - Charles Lindbergh, Aviator

On Oct. 4, 2006, Michael Fitzgerald of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
presented a paper “Autism, Aspergers Syndrome and Creativity,” mentioning Charles Lindbergh as having had Aspergers.

Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974), was an American pilot who made the first lone non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. He was awarded the Medal of Honor (USA) and the French Legion of Honor, as well as a Pulitzer Prize for his autobiography. Lindbergh is one of the famous people described in the book “Genius Genes: How Asperger Talents Changed the World” by Michael Fitzgerald and Brendan O’Brien.

Lindbergh, known as Lucky Lindy, was born in Detroit, Michigan. His father, Charles Lindbergh Sr., was a lawyer and later a U.S. Congressman. In 1922, Charles, Jr. quit a mechanical engineering program and joined a pilot training program, bought his own plane, and became a stunt pilot. In 1924, he trained as a pilot with the Army Air Service.

After his first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Lindbergh gained international fame. He flew from New York to Paris on May 20-May 21, 1927 in his single-engine aircraft “The Spirit of St. Louis,” flying for 33.5 hours. Lindbergh is also recognized for charting polar air-routes, high altitude flying techniques, and increasing aircraft flying ranges by decreasing fuel consumption.

According to a Biography Channel program on Lindbergh, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, was the only woman he ever asked out on a date before marriage. He taught her how to fly. They had six children, the first of whom, Charles Augustus Lindbergh III, 20 months old, was kidnapped on March 1, 1932. His body was found on May 12 in New Jersey, after a nationwide search and ransom negotiations with the kidnappers. The man accused of the murder, Bruno Hauptmann, went on trial and was convicted. The Lindberghs moved to Europe in December, 1935. Hauptmann was executed on April 3, 1936.

Charles Lindbergh has been reported to have been a recluse, but after his death, one of his daughters discovered that he had three other families in Europe and had fathered six or seven children in addition to the six with Anne Morrow.

To see the full text of the article go to: http.www.wikipedia.org

People mentioned above as having Asperger Syndrome may or may not have actually have been diagnosed with it.
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I hope you have enjoyed this month’s newsletter.

The next edition of the newsletter is due in October.

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.parentingaspergers.com

P.S. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your
friends.