My ASD Child

“If we had to choose only one, what would be the best intervention strategy for our child with HFA?” For most children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and Asperger’s (AS), the most important treatment strategy would definitely be to enhance communication and social competence (i.e., social skills training). The goal is not to force the child to “conform to societal pressure” or to stifle individuality and uniqueness. Instead, the goal reflects the fact that most kids on the autism spectrum are not loners by choice.  Also, there is a tendency (as these kids develop towards the teenage years) for anxiety, depression, despondency, and negativism as a result of the child’s increasing awareness of personal inadequacy in social situations, and repeated experiences of failure to make and maintain relationships. The typical limitations of insight and self-reflection found in kids on the spectrum often prevent spontaneous self-adjustment to social and interpersonal dema...

“We are wanting to get our child (high functioning) into some form of therapy. What things should we look for so we can find the best fit for her specific needs?” The following are positive program specifications to be kept in mind when deciding on an appropriate program for children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA). These may not be applicable to every child; however, they are optimal conditions to keep in mind when dealing with program specifications. Ideally, the program will include the following: 1.  Opportunities for social interaction and facilitation of social relationships in fairly structured and supervised activities. 2.  Relatively small setting with ample opportunity for individual attention, individualized approach, and small work groups. 3.  The availability of a communication specialist with a specific interest in pragmatics and social skills training who can (a) be available for individual and small group work, and (b) make a commu...

The best treatment for Asperger's and high-functioning autistic children and teens is definitely “social skills training.” Social skills training is a form of behavior therapy used by therapists to help these "special needs" young people who have difficulties relating to other people. But, parents can teach social skills as well. It's especially easy to do so with the help of social skills DVDs and CDs. Here are our top 12 picks:

“I have an autistic student (level 1, high functioning) in my 5th grade class this year and was needing to know if there are any communication impairments associated with the condition that I should be aware of. Thanks in advance.” Although significant problems with speech are not typical of High-Functioning Autism (HFA), there are at least 4 features of these students’ communication skills that should be understood. 1. Though inflection and intonation are not be as rigid and monotonic as in classic autism, speech is often marked by poor prosody (i.e., patterns of stress and intonation). Young people with HFA often have an odd manner of speaking (e.g., words enunciated precisely and formally; the speed, volume and rhythm may be strange). Problem areas to look out for include talking loudly, odd rhythms of speech, stilted or formal speech, monotonous sound, little or no inflection, and difficulties in coordinating speaking and breathing. 2.  Speech is often vague...