The Importance of Support for Parents with Autistic Children—

Applied Behavioral Analysis

It is often difficult to understand why the autistic child behaves the way they do.

However, there is a reason for their behavior, and applied behavior analysis helps us understand the behavior and determine a method of support for the child so that they no longer need the behavior to meet their needs.

Using Applied Behavior Analysis, you can determine the antecedents to behavior, identify the behavior, and identify the consequence for the behavior, or what is currently maintaining the behavior.

Using this process, you can determine alternative behaviors that are more appropriate, yet will meet your child's needs, without displaying the inappropriate behavior.

This aids parents in understanding their child better and helps outline a method to change their behavior.

An excellent new manual and CD called "The ABA Program Companion: Organizing Quality Programs for Children with Autism and PDD" by J. Tyler Fovel is a huge resource in this area.

It is designed to helping understand the theories behind ABA, and help to develop a method to put these concepts into use.

Further, it helps to develop goals to work on and provides very practical application materials for the user.

Using clear language, illustrations, and real-life examples, the topics covered include basic ABA concepts; teaching formats; the principles, merit and clinical applications of discrete trials; incidental teaching; teaching language and social skills; inclusion; curriculum planning and evaluation, among many others, featuring more than 500 goals in 54 areas, allowing users to easily choose goals, maintain updated program lists and track mastered skills.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.

How to advise my son on social skills...

Question--

I would like to know how to advise my son on social skills, such as making friends without being insulting to others.

Answer--

One of the behavioural traits seen in children with Asperger’s Syndrome is a lack of empathy. They don’t realize that other people have thoughts and interests that are different from theirs. They’ll interrupt a conversation and start churning out facts about their pet interest - which could be something like medieval history, Star Wars’ trivia, or math - even if it has nothing to do with what the other children are talking about. This and their lack of other social skills, such as looking others in the eyes when conversing, responding appropriately to greetings and questions, and understanding fads and the interests of peers makes making friends very difficult for Asperger’s children.

With some Asperger’s children, social abilities remain intact or aren’t really noticed until around age eight. It is around this time that their classmates begin perceiving them as “different.” The child is singled out for teasing. In addition, the child may be seen as oppositional because children with Asperger’s Syndrome take words and gestures very literally. Communication with Asperger’s children must be “concrete” (brief and easily understood).

Your son can be taught most of the same social skills that children without Asperger’s learn on their own. You can work with your son’s school to produce cards or posters with facial expressions that define feelings. Also, full-length mirrors can be used to make children aware of their facial expressions and overall body language. You and his teachers can role play social situations with him to help him learn appropriate responses and actions.

Speaking of schools, it is unfortunate that there are few schools fully equipped to help children with Asperger’s Syndrome. The number of schools with diagnostically appropriate services will increase when parents, doctors, and social service practitioners lobby educational institutions for assistance in teaching Asperger’s children.

Until the school provides more assistance with your son, there are a number of things that you can do at home. You can surround your son with friends and family so he will have familiar people around on a consistent basis. If your son is intimidated by a large number of people, just have one friend over at a time.

In addition to friends, you can train your son in appropriate social and perceptual skills. He can learn to perceive and interpret nonverbal behaviors, process visual and auditory information, and become aware of social/behavioural conventions.

To help you help your son, go on the internet and look for Asperger’s Syndrome support groups. Look for a group in your area. If there is none available, there are people who stay in touch via the internet. Whether in person or over the internet, they can give you advice and support which will help you help your son.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.

Hospitalization statistics for Aspergers [in England]:

The following are statistics from various sources about hospitalizations and Aspergers (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03):

• 0% of hospital consultant episodes for Aspergers occurred in people over 75 in England 2002-03 0% of hospital consultant episodes for Aspergers were single day episodes in England 2002-03
• 0.002% (259) of hospital consultant episodes were for Aspergers in England 2002-03
• 0.021% (11,053) of hospital bed days were for Aspergers in England 2002-03
• 19% of hospital consultant episodes for Aspergers required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03
• 21 was the mean age of patients hospitalized for Aspergers in England 2002-03
• 26 days was the median length of stay in hospitals for Aspergers in England 2002-03
• 32% of hospital consultant episodes for Aspergers occurred in 15-59 year olds in England 2002-03
• 32% of hospital consultant episodes for Aspergers were for women in England 2002-03
• 68% of hospital consultant episodes for Aspergers were for men in England 2002-03
• 74.7 days was the mean length of stay in hospitals for Aspergers in England 2002-03
• 97% of hospital consultant episodes for Aspergers required hospital admission in England 2002-03

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.

The Importance of Support for Parents with Autistic Children

Autism support groups

Support groups can be very helpful when dealing with any developmental disability.

We need professionals too, but professionals often don't understand the challenges of dealing with something like autism on a day-to-day basis.

You become the expert on your child as do other parents.

Support groups can provide the opportunity to learnfrom other parents, but also provide the opportunity to vent when you need to vent.

Support groups also provide the opportunity to learn about community events such as training for families, and provide some helpful information about the autism diagnosis, among others.

This provides an opportunity to talk about the challenges that you face daily and network with others who may have faced the same challenge and had success.

Further, online support groups give parents that 24/7 option that they frequently need.

The following are a list of support groups available to parents of autistic children.

Just copy and paste the link into your internet browser (e.g. Internet Explorer)

www.bbbautism.com

http://web.singnet.com.sg/~autism/activities.htm

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/support.html

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AreaAutismAwareness/

http://momofautistic.proboards30.com/

http://www.healing-arts.org/children/autism-links.htm

http://www.support4hope.com/autism/aspergers_characteristics.htm

http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/ajk/supp.html

These are just a few of the possibilities open to you.

It is important to visit some sites and see which one/s you feel comfortable with. This is just one of the many tricks, tips and techniques that you can use to cope with your Autistic child’s behaviors that feature in my new book “The Parenting Autism Resource Guide”.

The Parenting Autism Resource Guide:

A Complete Resource Guide For Parents
Who Have Children Diagnosed With Autism.

Aspergers & Obsessions

One of the hallmarks of Asperger's disorder (and certain other disorders) is an Asperger child's tendency to be obsessed with particular topics. He might want to constantly talk about video games, racecars, cartoon characters, movies, or even bugs. It can be very frustrating for parents and teachers to deal with an obviously bright, articulate Asperger kid who is somehow "stuck" in one particular frame of reference. How can we break kids of these obsessive thoughts and ideas?

The honest answer is... we may not be able to entirely eliminate them. Some kids will gradually leave one special interest behind, only to quickly fixate on a new one.

According to Brenda Smith Myles, author of: Asperger's Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success, there are two ways to classify these thought-consuming interests. Some are considered "primary obsessions," and others are "secondary interests." Often it's difficult to tell which of the two you're dealing with.

Primary Obsessions are severe enough that it is very difficult to get the Asperger kid to think of anything else. The obsession monopolizes conversation and daily activities. It also interferes terribly with schoolwork. The Asperger kid is consumed by the thoughts. It is possible that certain medications, like those prescribed for OCD, could be helpful. Check with your Asperger kid's pediatrician.

Secondary Interests are a challenge, and are somewhat obsessive for the Asperger kid, but ultimately can be managed. Not only that, but secondary interests can be used as motivators, to help the Asperger kid succeed in school or improve behavior. Here are some suggestions:

1. Working with your Asperger kid's teacher, use the topic to promote learning. If your Asperger kid likes insects, apply them to math problems. "If there are five ladybugs and the seven more land nearby, how many bugs in all?" Art projects that teach different techniques could involve the topic. Science experiments could address the topic in some way. Reading can be promoted by providing the Asperger kid with books on the topic. Use the interest as a starting point, and then build upon it, slowly expanding the Asperger kid's areas of interest.

2. Use the topic to motivate good behaviors. Buy a book, toy, or game associated with the topic. Your son or daughter can play with it when homework is finished, or after sitting quietly. Perhaps allow her to watch the movie when she's completed a job around the house.

3. Reward the Asperger kid for making conversation, which is correctly related to what's going on. If you daughter looks at the sky and says, "I see an airplane," that's a comment which is appropriate and in the moment. Immediately respond with attention and praise. "You're right! I see it too! Look, it's very far away. You've got good eyes."

4. Give less of a response to random, meaningless comments about the obsession. If your Asperger kid mentions the obsessive topic when it has nothing to do with what's currently going on, either don't respond, or act confused. Gently reply, "We're not watching that movie right now," or "why are you talking about that?" If the Asperger kid becomes agitated, give a simple "ummm hmmm" with little eye contact. Then ask the Asperger kid a question, which requires him to engage in the present activity or conversation.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.

Aspergers Summer Camps

Question

I am interested in summer camps or programs for teenagers with Asperger’s. Can you tell me where I can find out about them and what things I should consider before sending my son there? (He’s 15.)

Answer

Summer camps for children with Asperger’s Syndrome and/or other developmental disorders have been designed to provide enjoyable, educational experiences. You will want to consider many of the benefits that the camps offer. The camps provide help, safety, and education for children who also benefit from therapeutic recreation. At a summer camp, your child can build feelings of competency, success, confidence, and self-esteem. An ideal camp will have both indoor and outdoor activities for children, ideally in small groups.

Most camps now employ behavioral specialists to supervise and counsel the children about any issues that might arise during their tenure at the camp. They help with teaching children life skills in an environment that reduces stress and encourages learning and self sufficiency. Their goal is to offer a learning experience while maintaining health and safety standards. These individuals are knowledgeable in adaptive therapeutic programs, and they assist the children with relational or motor activities. Noted courses include Adaptive Physical Education, Art Therapy, Group Therapy, Movement and Dance, and Literacy Development.

Academics are an important part of many camps. Children who have individual educational plans (IEPs) can work through the assignments and goals while enjoying themselves at the camp. The child can follow a curriculum that has been designed in conjunction with his teachers and parents. In a sense, the camp can act as a ‘summer school’ for the children, and they can get a head start studying subjects that they will focus on during the academic year. The child with Asperger’s will acquire new skills and advance in cognitive abilities.

If your son has never experienced an extended vacation or camp experience, he will have many questions. He will want to know how long he will be gone, what will be expected of him, whom he will be meeting, how he will be expected to behave, and when he will be returning home.

When he is at camp, he might want to stay in contact with you. He can be given a cell phone to take with him, and most camps now have computers with internet access available to the children. He will want to know what days and times he can contact you and how long, if applicable, he can speak with you. Maintaining contact with you during his stay at camp will help minimize feelings of homesickness and dependency on you. This experience will be a significant step toward maturity and self sufficiency that all children must take.

For further information on UK summer camps for children with Asperger’s, go to the internet and log on to:

The Breckenbrough School:

www.breckenbrough.org.uk/outdoor.htm

The Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation:

http://www.aboutourkids. org/aboutus/programs/asperger.html.

Asperger’s Foundation International:

www.aspfi.org/links.htm

For a directory of summer camps located in the United States and Canada, log on to:

CampResource.com:

www.campresource.com/camps/spec_needs_camps.cfm

MySummerCamps.com:

www.mysummercamps.com/camps/Special_Needs_Camps/

Autism Society of Canada:

www.autismsocietycanada.ca/

When you access these sites, make note of phone numbers or email addresses. Contact the facility that you are interested in and have a list of questions ready to ask the camp consultants.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.

Famous autistic people...

Famous autistic people-

Autism has no boundaries and is not prejudiced.

It can occur in any family.

Many people have become very successful, despite a diagnosis of autism.

Dr. Temple Grandin is well known for her writings on autism, and "seeing in pictures" and for her inventions in the area of animal science.

Dr. Grandin understands the challenges of autism, but for herself, understands it more as a gift.

She believes it has given her the ability to visualize things that others could not.

Along the autism spectrum, there are many creative geniuses who are speculated to have had autistic tendencies or Asperger's syndrome.

Bill Gates, creator of the Microsoft corporation, is speculated to have personality characteristics
similar to Asperger's syndrome.

Dylan Scott Pierce is an American born wildlife artist with autism.

Donna Williams is a best selling author from Australia.

Her works include 'Nobody Nowhere' and 'Somebody Somewhere'.

Michelle Dawson is an autistic individual who actively works as an autism researcher and austism rights activist.

Lucy Blackman, Australian born, is a University educated author.

Jonathan Lerman is an American born artist.

Some people, such as Temple Grandin, suggest that autism and genius are closely related.

Dr. Grandin believes that autistic individuals have an ability to see things beyond what the average person sees.

Because of this they have the ability to excel in areas that are commonly reserved for individuals who proven to be geniuses.

Certainly there are challenges in both communication and social skills for autistic individuals, but they have the ability to succeed.

The Parenting Autism Resource Guide:

A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Autism.

Telling Others About My Aspergers Child

Question

My 11 year old son has just been diagnosed with Asperger’s, and I’d like to know what to tell friends, neighbours, teachers, and extended family to help them understand his behaviour.

Answer

Asperger’s Syndrome was first noticed in 1944, and it was first seen in children that had been diagnosed with autistic personality disorder. A researcher by the name of Asperger worked with children and saw that they exhibited delays in social maturity, social reasoning, and social abilities. He found verbal- and non-verbal impairments in communication, especially when the children attempted to converse. Asperger also observed that the children had difficulties controlling emotions, but they could intellectualize their feelings.

Further research by Asperger found that the children became preoccupied with various interests and these would dominate their thought processes. Asperger also found that some of the children were having learning problems, difficulty with coordination, and that they exhibited a marked sensitivity to certain smells, sounds, and textures.

You can start sharing information by giving friends and relatives an introduction to Asperger’s Syndrome using the above paragraphs. This will provide them with some history and context. Sharing information on any illness or diagnosis requires tact and discretion. You might want to tell the people in your life on a “need-to-know” basis.

It is very important to stress that a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome does not make your child “weird” or inferior. Make sure you stress the positive elements that can be found in people with Asperger’s Syndrome. There are actors, authors, researchers, and scientists who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s, and they have achieved seemingly insurmountable life goals. When your friends and relatives are aware of these facts, it will help dispel the mystery and confusion that surrounds Asperger’s.

When you discuss Asperger’s Syndrome with children, you can use classroom materials that have been developed to assist children in understanding this diagnosis. Go on the internet to a company called AAPC and you will find several books about Asperger’s. Also, look for a local group that helps people and their relatives cope with Asperger’s Syndrome.

One highly recommended book is Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Tony Attwood. Mr. Attwood is a leading expert on Asperger’s Syndrome, and his book provides a wealth of information that you can use as discussion topics.

After you have shared some of the above information, ask the person/people you are talking with if they have any questions or concerns about anything that you have discussed. Let them know that any question or concern they may have is valid, and you are not going to be offended by their inquiries. Not only will this ease communications, it will prove you to be a mature, open-minded individual who loves your child and cares about friends and family.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.