My ASD Child

Key points for teachers and parents regarding "capitalizing on strengths" rather than "repairing deficits" in students with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: ==> Teaching Students with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

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

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