My ASD Child

"Has anyone heard of phototherapy for helping a depressed autistic child get through the winter months and improve his/her mood in general?" Phototherapy (also called “light therapy”), which involves exposure to artificial light, is quickly becoming a popular way to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in children on the autism spectrum. SAD is a type of depression that occurs at a certain time each year, usually in the fall or winter. During phototherapy, your child sits near a device called a light box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light. Phototherapy is thought to affect brain chemicals linked to mood, easing SAD symptoms. Using a light box may also help with other types of depression, sleep disorders and other conditions. You may want to try phototherapy on your child for a number of reasons: If the child is on medication for depression, it may allow him or her to take a lower dose of antidepressant It's a proven treatment for

Have you, as a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, ever felt this way at some level? We would love your thoughts... COMMENTS: •    Anonymous said... All I hear from this mother is " ME ME ME its all about ME " NEVER EVER does a parent have a right to do what this woman is doing. I am beyond disgusted with her, it takes just a few seconds to google autism, to reach out to people to learn about it and to understand it. She hasn't that much is obvious. "she doesn't act normal" that is because SHE'S NOT !!! I have an autistic 90% non verbal little girl, she is almost 7 years old. NEVER EVER in a million years would I ever think to treat her this way EVER !!! Yes is hard work, yes they can be challenging but as the adult in this relationship I believe in finding out as much information as I can so I can help my child. It is NEVER okay to belittle a child, to threaten a child regardless of the circumstances. This woman (and I am very reluctant to

“My Asperger’s son (high functioning) is 18 (almost 19). He has a D+ average here in his last year of high school. He took the same math class twice and failed both times. He just failed his Spanish class and got a "D" in history. I'm ready to tear my hair out in complete frustration. He's not working even part time (although he is supposedly looking for a job). He doesn't have a vehicle because I refuse to pay for gas. He spends his spare time playing video games on a computer that he paid for with money that his grandma gave him (so I can’t take that away for punishment). And he says he has no interest in going on to college or technical school in the spring of next year. How do I light a fire under him?!” After 12 years of academics, it can be hard for any teenager to leave home and break out on his or her own. But, it is especially hard for teens on the autism spectrum due to the fact that their emotional age is much youngster than their chronological ag

“My son just turned 11, is in 5th grade and it’s suspected he has high-functioning autism. He is super quiet at school, does not have any friends, hangs out by himself on playground and lunch, has a strong fear of the school fire alarm. At home he is talkative but does have many routines as well as he sometimes checks things excessively. With extended family he is talkative and great, and walking the dog he’ll converse w/other dog owners, etc. (same at tennis lessons, pretty comfortable with others). Does not have any friends but wants them and is very aware he’s basically silent at school and wishes he wasn’t I believe.  Recently, the school psychologist suggested he be officially diagnosed for then he will get all the services available from now on. I’m very concerned he will be stigmatized and teased from now on if we do that formally at school. What do you think? I want the absolute best for him all around and I wonder if he were stigmatized at school, that humiliation may s