My ASD Child

When a crisis event occurs, it can cause strong reactions in parents, teachers – and kids, especially those with High Functioning Autism (HFA). There are many “crisis response” resources that are appropriate for use with "special needs" children, provided that individual consideration is given to the youngster’s developmental and emotional maturity. How parents and teachers react, respond, or express their feelings will influence the reactions of HFA kids.  Furthermore, these young people will react to the stress based on their past experience and awareness of the current situation. Adults who know the youngster well can best predict his or her reactions and behaviors, because they have observed the youngster’s response to stress in the past. A trigger is a thought about a situation that leads to an inappropriate response to that situation (i.e., it is not the situation or the feeling that is the problem, rather it is how the children “think” about these thi

Tired of hearing about all the "deficits" associated with kids on the autism spectrum? Welcome to the club! Now here are the real facts: Fact #1: Aspergers Children Are Less Materialistic Fact #2: Aspergers Children Are Passionate Fact #3: Aspergers Children Play Fewer Head Games Fact #4: Aspergers Children Rarely Lie Fact #5: Children with Aspergers Live in the Moment Fact #6: Children with Aspergers Are Not Tied to Social Expectations Fact #7: Children with Aspergers Have Terrific Memories Fact #8: Children with Aspergers Rarely Judge Others More resources for parents of children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's : ==> 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 P

Does your child's mood deteriorate as the days grow shorter through the winter months? If so, he or she may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Many young people with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism suffer from this condition. Here's how you can determine whether or not your child has SAD, and what you can do about it: Light Therapy for Children and Teens on the Autism Spectrum More resources for parents of children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's : ==> 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 Auti

"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