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4 Things to Do if Your Asperger's Child Has Been Sexually Assaulted

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  Source: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/face-eyes-no-question-harassment-1617558/   Sexual assault is a traumatic experience for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for a child with Asperger's. This is because they may not have the communication or coping skills to process and express their emotions. It can be hard to know what to do when your child has been the victim of sexual assault. However, the most important thing is that you are there to provide support and ensure they receive the care they need to heal. Below are some tips on how to best support your Asperger's child after they have been sexually assaulted. Seek Professional Help You must seek the help of a mental health professional who specializes in working with children with Asperger's syndrome and trauma and one with whom your child feels comfortable talking to. A specialist will be able to provide your child with mental health care and the appropriate therapeutic tools needed to cope with t

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Coping with "Transitions" at School

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"According to the teacher, my child with Autism [level 1] tends to have a difficult time moving from one activity to the next (for example, from writing skills to Math problems to recreation time). Do you have any suggestions as to how his teacher can make these transitions less stressful for him?" Transitions are very difficult for children with ASD. It is an interruption to their day and a change in their schedule. In order to minimize difficulty in transition, try to keep their schedule as routine as possible (e.g., doing 'writing' exercises first, solving 'Math' problems second, and 'reading' third ...in this order every time). And always let you son know ahead of time that a transition in routine is coming. Using sensory integration techniques can be very helpful for some autistic children. It is best to have an occupational therapist work with you to first determine if your child is hyper-sensitive or hypo-sensitive. For example, does h

Sibling Relationship Issues: Message to Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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"Any tips for helping my two older children (not autistic) to have a little more compassion for their younger brother who does have autism? I try to help everyone get along, but it is wearing me out. Playing peace-maker is definitely my toughest job at present. Help!" Parenting in general can be overwhelming. Add autism (ASD Level 1) to the equation, and the job just got tougher! Taking care of a youngster on the autism spectrum can take up the vast majority of the parent's time and energy. From learning everything you can about the condition and what it entails ...to various doctor and specialist appointments ...to seeing about special accommodations both at home and at school, the list of things that must be done can seem endless. Fitting time and effort into more than cursory attention to your neurotypical (i.e., non-autistic) kids who are also under your care can easily fall by the wayside without you realizing it. Sibling relationships can be challenging wh

Individual Educational Plan {IEP}: Common Mistakes to Avoid

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There is probably no process as frustrating for parents and educators alike as the IEP process. As a team effort, the IEP process is designed to help develop a program that is in the best interest of the child with ASD or [High-Functioning Autism]. All too often, the schools experience a lack of resources or have other challenges, which leaves the parent feeling that she is not receiving the support that is needed. There are several common mistakes parents and teachers make when creating an IEP (or going through the IEP process). These include the following: 1. The parent signs the IEP when she doesn't totally agree with it. Never sign an IEP at the meeting, especially if you don't agree with it. A verbal commitment that "we will work out the fine details later" is not binding, but your signature is. Remember that you have three days to review the IEP before signing it. It is always a good idea to take the IEP home and review it one more time, even if y