My ASD Child

"What specific technology is available to help the Aspergers student in school, especially one with gross/fine motor issues?" Like most children, those with Asperger’s and High-Functioning Autism have a strong interest in computers and video technology. As a result, both computers and video recording should be integrated into the academic curriculum for a child with Asperger’s. The technology of computers and video recording will provide the student with a consistent form of learning, as well as being entertaining. Computers-  Computers now have hardware that can be adapted to the needs of a child with Asperger’s. These devices will help the child focus on computer-generated tasks, and they increase a child’s motor skills. Computers with touch windows give the child the ability to navigate through a program with ease. In addition, the child can interact with a program without having to rely on a computer mouse. A touch screen decreases the hardware required to

"I know you talk about how 'prevention' is key when trying to deal with meltdowns in children with AS, but what about when the child is already full-swing into a meltdown? Is it just too late at that point to make any difference?" Click here for the answer... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook ==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger's a

"We have been to many professionals over the years to get help for our son. It seems as though each therapist or psychiatrist we see comes up with a different diagnosis. First, our son had ADHD ...then he had OCD ...then it was ODD ...now it's Aspergers. Who are we to trust? Can he really have all of these disorders? Help!" Click here for the answer... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functi

"Once my son has an idea in his head, he won't budge. For example, somewhere he heard that looking into the sun will blind you (which is true). But he has taken this to a whole new level by refusing to go anywhere without his sunglasses. If he doesn't have them before we walk out the door -- it's meltdown city! I've told him countless times that as long as he isn't staring directly into the sun, he's not going to lose his eyesight. This discussion goes in one ear and out the other, and this is just one of dozens of examples. My question is: how do you change the mindset of a stubborn child who refuses to listen to reason?" Click here for the answer to this question... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers

"How can you tell if a child has ASD Level-1 (high-functioning autism)? And should we take him to a specialist to have him formally diagnosed?" Click here for the answer... Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support: ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook 

"Is it common for a child with Aspergers to be very picky about things, for example, will only eat certain foods ...will only wear certain clothes ...etc.?" The short answer is 'yes'. What you're referring to here is called "sensory sensitivities," which refers to any abnormalities of the senses (i.e., sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste) a child with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism may have. The Aspergers child generally has difficulty in at least one of these areas, though the degree will vary from person to person. Some children may have difficulty in multiple - or even all - areas.  For example, the child may perceive ordinary sensations as unbearably intense, in which case he will begin to anticipate these experiences, feeling anxious well before the experience occurs. It will be very important to determine if the response is due to sensory or behavioral (learned) difficulties. Often a behavior may initially stem from sensory difficu

"Can you help me understand how my child thinks? His rationale is quite confusing at times, and I find we are rarely on the same page with simple day-to-day issues."  Click here for the answer... Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support: ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook 

"I would like to know what to expect from a high functioning autistic child in the teenage years. My son was diagnosed 2 years ago. I know they say that they can suffer from this and that, but what is the long-term goal, what can we expect, what not to expect?" Click here for the answer... Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support: ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook 

Motor Clumsiness: This refers to difficulties with motor functioning and planning. The Asperger individual can have difficulty with both gross and fine motor skills. A. Difficulties with gross motor skills: An awkward gait when walking or running. Poor balance. Difficulty when throwing or catching a ball (appears afraid of the ball). Difficulty coordinating different extremities, motor planning (shoe tying, bike riding). Difficulty with motor imitation skills. Difficulty with rhythm copying. Difficulty with skipping. B. Difficulties with fine motor skills: Difficulty with handwriting/cutting/coloring skills. An unusual pencil/pen grasp. Rushes through fine motor tasks. Difficulty applying sufficient pressure when writing, drawing, or coloring. Difficulty with independently seeing sequential steps to complete finished product. Frustration if writing samples are not perfectly identical to the presented model.

Narrow Range of Interests and Insistence on Set Routines This refers to the Aspergers child’s rigidity, obsessions, perseverations, and need for structure/routine/order. A. Rules are very important as the world is seen as black or white: Takes perfectionism to an extreme — one wrong answer is not tolerable, and the child must do things perfectly Has difficulty with any changes in the established routine Has a set routine for how activities are to be done Has rules for most activities, which must be followed (this can be extended to all involved) B. The child has few interests, but those present are unusual and treated as obsessions: Patterns, routines, and rituals are evident and interfere with daily functioning (note: this is driven by the child’s anxiety; the world is confusing for her; she is unsure what to do and how to do it; if she can impose structure, she begins to have a feeling of control) Has developed narrow and specific interests; the interests ten

"Any tips for toilet training my Aspergers son? It's not been going very well so far. Help!" Even for the normal child, toilet training is often a difficult skill to master. But for the child with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism, there are additional factors that may inhibit toilet training. The things that would encourage the average child may not be effective with the "Aspie." Social motivation is a critical factor in determining "readiness" for toilet training. An Aspergers child may not be motivated by the opportunity to wear “big boy pants.” He may not understand what is expected of him. Following all the steps necessary for toilet training may be difficult for this child. Changes in his routine may also be a challenge. An Aspergers child may not be aware of the need to use the toilet. The first step in toilet training will be to determine his level of readiness. Assessment-- 1. Establish a positive and meaningful rout

Physical Environment-- When beginning the toilet training of a child with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism, you want to help the child learn that this set of behaviors (i.e., elimination) is associated with a particular place (i.e., the toilet). Moving all changing, cleaning, and toileting-related dressing to this setting helps the child realize the purpose of this room. A second goal for creating clear physical structure to assist in toilet training is to create an environment that is secure and not over-stimulating. The child will be calmer and more responsive with good physical support for his body. Think about adding foot support, side rails, or other physical supports.Think also about the plumbing noises and echoes of many bathrooms. Many Aspergers children appreciate soft music playing or the addition of sound-absorbent materials. Using Visual Supports-- For the Aspergers child, it may be helpful to provide pictures to demonstrate the sequence of events that occu

"According to the teacher, my child with Asperger's Syndrome tends to have a difficult time moving from one activity to the next (for example, from writing skills to Math problems to recreation time). Do you have any suggestions as to how his teacher can make these transitions less stressful for him?" Click here for the answer...

All parents have experienced the temper tantrum in the grocery store or the restaurant. While children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism may have tantrums that seem larger than life at times, they are still tantrums. ==> Here are some tips for parents ... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook ==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger's and High-

"Do you think supplements actually help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders?" The short answer is 'yes'. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are especially prone to nutritional difficulties, and it is important that they take supplements to achieve a balanced nutritional state.    But supplementation  takes some investigation to find the right vitamins and minerals for your child. Every child on the autism spectrum is different, and what works for one may not work for another. The first step toward addressing supplementation for ASD children is to adopt a gluten and casein free diet. These proteins have been found to potentially worsen the symptoms of ASD. In fact, gluten and casein have been found to help the brain produce natural opiates, making foods that contain them practically addictive! Another important step is the implementation of a balanced and healthy diet. Remember, ASD children are influenced by routines, so if a healthy diet

"My son often gets his words mixed up, and doesn't pronounce certain words properly. Do you think he would benefit from speech therapy?" Communication depends on three factors: hearing, speaking, and understanding. Problems may occur if there's an abnormality in any of the areas.    Usually, however, articulation issues account for 80 percent of speech delays in ASD kids. If your son has difficulty forming words and exhibits lazy tongue, lisp, baby talk, thick speech, or mumbled speech, then he may benefit from speech therapy. Speech therapy can be an important part of a treatment plan for children with autism who are having difficulty with speech, who are minimally verbal, or in rare cases non-verbal. Speech therapy is more than just working out how to say the right words, though. It focuses on what the child wants or needs rather than simply on verbal communication. Components of speech therapy include: understanding body language understandin

Parenting in general can be overwhelming. Add Aspergers to the equation, and the job just got tougher! Taking care of a child with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism can take up the vast majority of the parent's time and energy. From learning everything you can about the condition and what it entails ...to various doctor and specialist appointments ...to seeing about special accommodations both at home and at school, the list of things that must be done can seem endless. Click here for the full article... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skil

"Why the emphasis on 'social stories' for autistic children ...and do they actually work?" A social story that directly addresses the issue in question (e.g., getting along with friends) and is age appropriate can be a wonderful tool for teaching social skills and helping the child to comprehend the hidden social rules that most of us take for granted. For example, common sense manners like: Be patient when waiting in line or when waiting to get in elevators, subways, cabs, etc.    Engage people with genuinely good eye contact.  If you are meeting someone for the first time and just coming off a cold, mention it and don’t shake their hand.   If you get to the door first, hold it open. Wait for people to finish their sentences and listen to what they are saying instead of waiting for your turn to speak.  When someone compliments you, take it.   and so on... ==>  Teaching Social-Skills and Emotion-Management to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder  

Many children with Aspergers and High Functioning Autism have problems sleeping through the night, or getting to sleep. This is due in large part to sensory issues. Sensory dysfunction is typically an issue for Aspergers children. Many parents are forced to try medications, or natural supplements (e.g., melatonin) to try to regulate sleep patterns. These may be beneficial. Using sensory integration therapy can also be helpful so that the child can learn to regulate his or her activity level. Click here for the full article... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Tea

Shopping with any child can be extremely hectic and more than just a little bit difficult at times. Shopping places are filled with attention-grabbing advertisements that stimulate children even without the challenge of Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism. The last thing you want is to need to overpower a screaming child while trying to shop.  Click here for the full article... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens wi

Kids with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism are sexual beings just as everyone else is. However, because of their inability to control all of their impulses, they may display behaviors that are inappropriate in public. This can be particularly difficult to deal with -- and of course it is embarrassing for parents.   Click here for the full article... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Au

Many children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism who are also hyperactive benefit from sensory stimulation. Providing a sensory room or area can be very effective. Be as creative as you can when providing sensory stimulation for your child. Click here for the full article ... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook ==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asper

Children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism often have a secondary diagnosis of sensory dysfunction. This may be found in the child who can't get enough sensory input, and needs to touch everything, jump on things, and simply craves input. Or it may be the child that can't stand touch, doesn't like certain clothing because it irritates them, and can't handle sounds. Click here for the full article... Highly Acclaimed Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support, LLC : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Au