My ASD Child

Does your child have periodic tantrums. Here are some tips to tame tempers: 1. A tantrum can be a request for attention. Moms and dads have a natural tendency to run to their Aspergers (AS) or High-Functioning Autistic (HFA) kids when they are in distress. Unfortunately, these kids can learn to get attention just by screaming. It is important that you stop reinforcing the behavior by giving attention to your child. Instead, give lots of positive attention during appropriate behaviors. For example, approach him when he is playing quietly and offer lots of hugs and kind words (or whatever works as positive reinforcement for the youngster). 2. As long as the child is not tantrumming, give praise when the youngster uses his words. Also, make sure you listen, don't ignore good communication (get up and meet the need or request if it is appropriate - or explain why it is not appropriate). Often we moms and dads get busy and put the youngster off for too long once he has asked a

Question How can I tell the difference between “aspergers behavior” and pure “disobedience” …I’m not sure what should be punished – and what should not? Answer Many moms and dads have a difficult time distinguishing between “disobedience” and “misunderstanding” in their Aspergers (high functioning autism) youngster. Because he may not interpret social cues correctly, it may be difficult for an Aspergers youngster to understand what is expected of him, and he may not understand the impact his behavior has on other family members. So, how can parents tell the difference between “Aspergers behavior” versus “misbehavior”? Most Aspergers-related behavior (sometimes misinterpreted by parents as “misbehavior”) tends to revolve around the child’s resistance to any kind of change. An Aspergers child is resistant to change for the following reasons: Has anxiety about a current or upcoming event (e.g., the start of school) Does not understanding how the world works Does n

Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger Syndrome Information— 1.       Articles on Asperger Syndrome http://www.specialed.us/autism/asper/asper11.html 2.       Asperger Syndrome Information for Teens http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=243&np=293&id=2320 3.       Australian Autism Education & Training Consortium -Provides details about workshops and information sessions for parents/caregivers of school-aged children who have autism). www.autismtraining.com.au 4.       Autism Advisory and Support Service http://www.aass.org.au/ 5.       Autism Awareness http://www.autismawareness.com.au 6.       Autism Help Info -Webpage to help professionals, teachers, to understand and support the inclusion of people with ASD. Website funded by The Department of Human Services in Geelong, Victoria, Australia (Barwon South Western region). http://www.autismhelp.info/main.htm 7.       Autism Help -A wealth of information and on a range of topics relating to  autism and