My ASD Child

Dogs are wired to love their human family unconditionally, and are extremely loyal as well as being sensitive to moods and emotions. This is what makes therapy dogs so amazing for children with autism. Dogs also respond well to fixed structures, repetition and patterns, which makes it easy for them to fit straight into the routines and mindset of those with autism. If you have a therapy dog as part of your family you will want to make sure they are safe at all times when travelling in a vehicle, so choosing the right seatbelt is important. There’s no doubt that some dogs would prefer to enjoy the ride with their heads out of the window, or ride shotgun with no restraints, but the risk of them, or another passenger being hurt in even a minor traffic accident make that a definite no-no. Still, actually choosing the right travel seatbelt for your particular dog can be a bit of a headache, especially when you need to be sure it is the safest possible option. The fact is there are l

"My 18 year old [with high functioning autism] will soon be graduating from high school in a few months. What are the best options for post high school education?" The future is looking brighter than ever for young people with Aspergers (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA). As most parents know, kids and teens on the spectrum are usually very intelligent, but suffer from a lack of social skills, communication abilities, and sensory issues. The recent surge of information, education, and treatment options are starting at younger ages, increasing the chances - and the choices - for post high school education. There are several secondary education options to investigate for your AS youngster: Technical or vocational schools: These schools offer career training in a relatively short amount of time, with the added benefit of being close to home. If your youngster is thinking of a career in computer repair, air conditioning and heating repair, general office duties

"My teenage son with high functioning autism has (in my opinion) the absolute worse eating habits ...honestly, potato chips and soda make up about 75% of his diet. He would rather lose game privileges than eat a vegetable. I've given up! Help!!" We all know that adolescents need to eat well since their bodies are still growing, their brains are still changing, and their hormones may be taking a toll on their moods and energy levels. But we also know that adolescents are prone to eating irregularly, and sometimes quite poorly, particularly as they distance themselves from parental controls and eat more meals away from home. Pizza, cookies, ice cream, and soft drinks may be the most common foods in their diets at this age. But we have more influence and capacity to affect our adolescents' diets positively than we may think we do. The keys to positive change in the arena of diet and nutrition are positive attitude, planning, and preparation. These keys are already

“We recently got a diagnosis. H ow should I ex plain high functioning autism to my affected son and his ‘typical’ siblings?" Kids with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and Asperger’s (AS) are very intelligent and inquisitive. Their struggles are obvious to them, but they may not be able to actually pinpoint the areas of weakness. If asked, young people with HFA will tell you that they are different from their friends and siblings. Their friends and siblings also notice the differences. It can be difficult to live with and understand a youngster with HFA. It can be tough for all involved. You should be completely honest with all your kids about HFA. The youngster who has this disorder needs to understand the condition in age-appropriate context. Your “neurotyical” kids need to know about HFA so that they will be able to support their brother as much as possible. Educate yourself about HFA so you can share the details with everyone involved with your child (e.g., tea