My ASD Child

With the start of school, boys and girls begin to spend much of their day in the classroom, a place where pressures and relationships with other children can be quite stressful. While some youngsters with Asperger’s (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA) naturally greet new situations with enthusiasm, others tend to retreat to the familiarity of their home. For some children on the autism spectrum, merely the thought of going at school – away from home and apart from parents – causes great anxiety. Such children, especially when faced with situations they fear or with which they believe they can’t cope, may try to keep from returning to school.  It's natural for your AS or HFA youngster to feel anxious when you say goodbye to him or her in the morning. Separation anxiety is a normal stage of development. However, if anxieties intensify or are persistent enough to get in the way of school or other activities, your youngster may have Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD). This

“Any advice for helping our HFA child (age 6) with sleep difficulties? She has a hard time getting to sleep, will wake up numerous times through the night. We have a real chore with trying to wake her up in the morning, and we are getting reports from her teacher that she frequently doses off during class.” Sleep disturbance is common in kids and teens with Asperger’s (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFA) at all levels of cognitive functioning. Sleep disturbance correlates with family distress and may have significant effects on daytime functioning and quality of life for these young people. In some cases, there may be an identifiable cause (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux). Assessment and treatment for sleep problems are guided by history and physical examination. When there is not an identifiable medical cause, behavioral interventions often are effective (e.g., sleep-hygiene measures, restriction of daytime sleep, positive bedtime routines, extinc

This video discusses assertive parenting skills for dealing with problematic behavior in teenagers on the autism spectrum. Learn how to "fight fair" and "confront bad behavior" in a way that yields positive outcomes for both parent and child. ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism

“Do you have any advice on how we can make my 6 year old daughter’s upcoming visit to our doctor less stressful? She was diagnosed with high functioning autism recently, and has a history of not doing well while being examined, crying hysterically from start to finish. It’s a real ordeal for all of us, including the doc! Also, my daughter has pica.” Most children with Asperger’s and High Functioning Autism have difficulties with social interaction, communication, and accepting novelty. Therefore, spending the extra time to acclimate the “special needs” child to the new environment/experience will be crucial, for example: Allow ample time while talking before touching the child Allow the child to manipulate instruments and materials Exaggerate social cues Familiarize the child with the office setting and staff Have family and/or familiar staff available Keep instructions simple, using visual cues and supports Slow down the pace of the overall doctor’s visit These a