Autism Spectrum Disorders: Autism and Asperger's Guide for Parents and Teachers: [Kindle] $0.00

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gamma on 20/07/2014 - 02:58 amazon.com (1062 clicks)
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Autism Spectrum Disorders: Autism and Asperger's Guide For Parents and Teachers: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Strategies, Therapies and Treatments (ASD Help)

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Being able to effectively guide the development of your autistic child requires a significant amount of work, and the parenting journey starts with a solid foundation of knowledge regarding the condition. From here, you can employ different strategies that work for your family and your child. It is our hope that this book can provide you with the information that you need to guide your child in the most effective way possible.

When parenting a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, one has to adjust any conceptions they have of raising a child, raising a family, and the struggles that are part of the growing process. A family with a special child develops and grows very differently from a completely normal one, so it’s important that parents are given the proper knowledge and tools to prepare for the journey ahead.

Grace Child, the author, writes in such a way that you won’t be wasting your time sifting through a bunch of useless content. You are going to get straightforward helpful tips to help you create a healthy and loving bond with your child that lasts a lifetime.

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• typhoonadventure on 20/07/2014 - 04:23 Comment score below threshold.
  • 

    [Deactivated] on 20/07/2014 - 06:17

    +5

    Not even funny dude. You wouldn't know the impact of ASD on the child and the family.

    • 

      typhoonadventure on 20/07/2014 - 14:53

      +5

      actually I would, in the early 2000's this became a massive fear campaign and an excuse for many parents, working with youth support we had tons of kids with depression (many suicidal) diagnosed with this and it did a lot of damage to a lot of good people who needed real help.

      A real psychologist, even a Councillor is better advised than this, because unfortunately it's become a hot item and a lot of people even self diagnose this, you will notice a lot of people using it as an excuse to be a compelte ***hole, while people with autism suffer without assistance.

      Right now in Australia it's estimated that quite a large percentage of those diagnosed with aspergers don't have it, its either autism or something else with a lot of health organisations moving to delist aspergers.

      I've been personally affected by this in our family it's what pushed me into social work, unfortunately these kinds of books don't foster understanding, learning and compassion.

      • 

        gamma on 20/07/2014 - 19:56

        +2

        While I understand where you are coming from, I don't know if I fully agree with what you are saying..

        you said "Right now in Australia it's estimated that quite a large percentage of those diagnosed with aspergers don't have it, its either autism or something else with a lot of health organisations moving to delist aspergers.", So how were they diagnosed? Were they self-diagnosed or diagnosed by some professional as having aspergers incorrectly?

  • 

    DeWalt on 20/07/2014 - 07:03

    +21

    The book (obviously) isn't for diagnosis. It will almost certainly contain practical advice (eg. Safe zones in prominent places for when a child feels overwhelmed at school, etc).

    A professional gave me some great advice… Aspergers often have one or more senses in overdrive. They can find themselves drowning in a sea of over stimulation. This can drive them to run away, or lash out. It also drives them to focus on (and need) routine and order in what they do. If they seem forgetful or spaced out, it's one way to concentrate with constantly overwhelmed senses.

    I am always vigilant about over stimulation (which is usually good for non Aspergers too). Early bed, not too much TV, keep computers and tablets to a minimum. Avoid very poorly designed educational software that over stimulates (there are some shockers that I've called out in the past for over stimulating and being condescending too).

    Good news? With time, Aspergers learn to cope. They get used to it. With parental support, they have a chance to develop routines and to understand themselves ;)

    Sorry for the long & serious post. If it helps 1 Aspergers family member, or even 1 non Aspergers (aka Neuro typical or Nt), then it's worth it:)

    Lastly, WE ARE ALL ON THE SPECTRUM, just to different degrees. My Aspergers child Zones out often, but has a very high intellect. Not bad, not good - just different.

    • 

      RefusdClassification on 20/07/2014 - 16:00

      +2

      Great post. Our capitalist, consumerist society bombards people with as much stimulation as possible (eg animated noisy web banner ads, excessively loud TV commercials, radio and ads in shops, TVs in public spaces…), which just makes autistic individuals feel worst and want to withdraw more. They would have been much more at home in a static mediaeval village dominated by routine, minimal stimulation (ie boring), little change, and regular religious observances.

      • 

        typhoonadventure on 20/07/2014 - 19:55

        +3

        kind of a misconception there, some people with autism spectrum are like this but there are quite a few people who can actually develop and overcome this, many people hold up bill gates as an example, as stated above with how the spectrum, misdiagnosis and understanding is changing and evolving you may find that common stereotype fitting some groups (and theres even treatment with it, it can even be an underlying secondary syndrome like anxiety etc.)

        One of the biggest things that a lot of people have to understand about a lot of this is we're still learning it.

        Take for example the stereotype of the rain man, doesnt wanna be out in public easily embarrassed very sheltered. Theres been a lot of study into people who fit that bill where it was found they had mild spectrum autism as well as anxiety disorder.

        Yet it got packaged as aspergers and oh we cant treat this, oh make allowances for them and it handicapped the person, where as when it was worked out it was two disorders they were able to start treating both.

        You then take it to the other end of the scale with lots of people self diagnosing, its very, VERY common for narcissists to diagnose themselves or their family as having it.

        Pretty much the point im making is, see professional help when dealing with this stuff and formulate one of the most critical things that a lot of people in this situation dont have or seem to avoid, get a mental health plan.

• 

  JonShannow on 20/07/2014 - 11:39

  Thanks OP.

  Just started as a student support officer so this will be invaluable.

  One of the teachers said to me that Aspergers is expected to become the 'norm' eventually and anyone that doesn't have it will be an 'outsider'.

  • 

    gamma on 20/07/2014 - 19:47

    +1

    nw Jon, I hope it will be useful. However I have no idea if the information contain in these books are correct/good, so it would be good to validate these with some authority(specially if you are working with kids).

    Good luck.

  • 

    typhoonadventure on 20/07/2014 - 20:00

    +2

    I've heard a lot of people saying this lately and a lot of doc's and shrinks linking this to exploding number in diagnosis, they are pretty confident that this is like the 90's wave of exploding numbers of ADHD diagnosis that were 'fixed' with ritilin.

    A really big problem with all this is, a lot of people see it as 'us' and 'them' when we need to just realize that its just brains working differently, again why the reclassifying of the spectrum and the possible removal of aspergers diagnose all together in the future, one of the biggest things behind this is a lack of empathy… you can find people who fit the profile perfectly, and shock… they develop it over time, and those who genuinely lack it can learn around it.

    • 

      Mik on 21/07/2014 - 23:11

      +1

      Fyi, the term aspergers has already been removed from the DSM, which is basically the international diagnostics bible. Since early 2013, the correct term is ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder. This covers what we formerly knew as Aspergers, pervasive development disorder (PDD) and others similar.

      • 

        JediJan on 22/07/2014 - 11:06

        +1

        Thank you for defining this so clearly.

        I have been told by one parent her child has Aspergers; and not Autism!
        Which leaves one to wonder at the ignorance, or lack of acceptance, there is out here.

        I try to be accepting of others ignorance, as I also knew nothing of ASD when my son was first diagnosed, and I read some Autism books that were obviously well out of date. Very confusing time. The research I did 20 years ago led me to believe my son was ADHD as I could not identify enough of those Autism qualities in him. Some of these are identified in "normal" children of course. I blamed Bananas In Pyjamas for the hand waving as some of his peers also did that whilst watching that program … Yet in amongst all my research at that time he basically taught himself to read at 3! I just provided what he wanted … books (more often used as building materials), magnets (writing words all over the fridge even though not writing them by hand), appropriate learning programs (Sesame Street back then) and an abundance of appropriate posters and other materials. He would read out street signs before he was out of nappies; spooked friends and family out. They thought it was me teaching him; no way! I was just giving him what he wanted … apart from time when DEMANDED). As it was when the first CARS assessment was done he was placed at borderline, and further tests wavered this way and that. After years of non-diagnosis fortunately we found an excellent paediatrician in Melbourne (since retired) who explained this was ASD; and children can show signs of other problems within this spectrum … that they are all unique.

        Although years ahead of his peers at pre-school for reading; he would read to the entire class, he (and I) struggled within the education "system" (even with aide support), but completed Year 12 VCAL.

        Yes, I forgive the ignorance (as I forgive the ignorance in myself in the early years). It has been difficult to forgive the ignorance of so called professionals though.

  • 

    JediJan on 20/07/2014 - 22:48

    +1

    As one who has had 20 years of experience with the development of a child diagnosed (after many so called professionals waffled along) on the Autism spectrum I literally cringed when I read what one teachers comments to you were. Many in the teaching profession are unhappy, apparently resentful, that they are presented with children with disabilities in their classes, as I am sure you will find out for yourself. You will find some though (I have found usually the very young teachers) will be very all encompassing and keen to try different approaches to assist these children. One of these teachers tried a low, gentle music background in her classes to see if that assisted a child with autism; result was that the whole class cheerfully and educationally benefitted from this.

    I do not wish to deter you from your career at all, but please I would like to offer some advice. Basically take everything you hear from so-called professionals with a grain of salt, keep your mind open and don't be ready to accept anything as black and white. There are many shades of grey and each and every one is unique.

    The teacher may be making a smart ass remark as to the increasing number of children being diagnosed with autism, when the reality of the situation is that many individuals over the years were simply not being diagnosed (because of ignorance), but usually labelled as trouble-makers or institutionalised etc. I have heard disgusting things said and done by so called doctors, teachers and teacher aides over almost 20 years, but I strived to forgive their ignorance. The stuff of nightmares!

    I have found the best (professional) person to speak to about autism is someone who will proclaim their ignorance, but yet be open to discussion, keen to trial new things.. Ask yourself; do you really believe your training (how many weeks?) has truly prepared you for the reality of assisting individuals within the autism spectrum? Individuals who should not be labelled, and all who will be totally unique in the personalities, behaviours and dis/abilities. (Reminder that the word disability needs more focus on the word ability not the dis)

    I have had a school principal tell me my son won't be going to a school disco because of the noise factor! Principal was quite dubious and surprised when I told her he was definitely attending and would like nothing better; has attended several others in the past. Yes, she was there on the night to observe. Aha! Yes she also learned that an expectation of behaviour in one (noisy) environment did not automatically apply to another (excessively noisy).

    May I suggest you become a member of Autism Victoria? Your school may already hold membership. Materials and assistance from this organisation are very bountiful.

    Good luck - I hope you keep an open mind, and not a closed one like many I have come across within the teaching profession.

• 

  Rusty McMusty on 20/07/2014 - 12:03

  +1

  Great for my ASD child, I might pick up some new tips. Thanks, OP, well done.

• 

  penthius on 20/07/2014 - 13:18

  +2

  13 years into the Spectrum but something always pops up that might offer new insights. thanks for the find OP

• 

  RefusdClassification on 20/07/2014 - 15:53

  +1

  Despite what acex1138 said above, Autism has never been a "cool" diagnosis. ADD/ADHD is the diagnosis to have if you want to be hip. ADD gives you access to amphetamines and ritalin (which affect the brain in the same manner as cocaine does), and these drugs give you a comparative advantage in education. They don't make you smart, but you are able to study longer without becoming fatigued, and help you from becoming unfocused during long examinations. There are no drugs for autism in comparison, though smaller doses of tranquilizers may help with excessive sensory sensivity. Avoid taking too high a dose though or you will sleep all day and possibly become obese and/or diabetic as well in the long term (atypial antipsychotics are the worst offenders).

  Nothing sickens me more than the current overdiagnosing of disorders like ADHD & bipolar in children (especially in America, juvenile bipolar diagnosis grew by 8000% in a 9 year period), and also the hypocrisy of a society that tells kids "Don't do drugs, they will ruin your life; winners don't do drugs" and yet at the same times tells them,"Take your meds, you cannot succeed in life without them".

  • 

    Tigg3r on 20/07/2014 - 19:05

    +1

    Though I agree with you with most points, I disagree with your opinion that the medication giving an 'advantage' in education for people with ADD/ADHD

    People with ADD are already at a disadvantage because of their inability to concentrate for an extended period of time
    The medication only supplements their disadvantage

    However I do only speak of people diagnosed with ADD
    And not simply people with bad study etiquette

    There is a difference in context when applying the terms drugs and medication

  • 

    cannedhams on 20/07/2014 - 21:46

    Agreed. There is a bit of a rash of gothy-hip adolescents diagnosing themselves with aspergers via the internet, a booming cottage industry in bipolar self diagnosis but autism is not one of those cool diagnoses.

    Autism rates are 1 in every 50 boys here, about 1 in every 500 boys in Cambodia. I have read about biome depletion theory and the observation that autism births are higher particularly for those with allergies and auto immune diseases.

    • 

      EightImmortals on 21/07/2014 - 06:36

      So what's the vaccination rate in Cambodia?

      (Just sayin'….)

  • 

    JediJan on 20/07/2014 - 23:11

    +2

    Interesting comments here following yours.

    For the record Aspergers Syndrome is within the Autism Spectrum. Some people prefer the term Aspergers Syndrome (specific characteristics within the Spectrum) but the reality it is still Autism. Perhaps some people think it is cooler to be "labelled" Aspergers than Autism?

    My son on the Autism Spectrum (with Aspergers tendencies …) was offered Ritalin by his paediatrician as this medication was suggested to help with his learning. I did not opt for this though, although I have suggested he try out medication as he is of an age now to make his own decisions. There are suggestions that these "learning" drugs can cause heart and other health problems, so I was very reserved. For some children though, to be able to concentrate as well as their peers, is a very strong incentive for them to take these drugs; there are some who truly benefit from them.

    Yes, I am concerned by the apparently over-prescribing of medication to children with disabilities and disorders too. I wonder how much of it can be attributed to the drugs companies, also teachers who bully parents into making rash decisions, instead of opting for sensible behaviour modifications or teaching methods. I have seen some children truly benefit from these types of medications so I think each case should be evaluated carefully. Live a day in the life of a parent with an ADHD child, not on medication, may leave you to wonder though.

• 

  cannedhams on 24/07/2014 - 15:29

  +1

  After all that, I can't say that the book was all that good, it was more of a pamphlet than anything, most parents would know all this stuff already. But free is free.

  • 

    JediJan on 25/07/2014 - 09:53

    That is disappointing, although I hoped it helped someone. I didn't read it actually; I find the more you read the more you cannot identify your own child as having autistic qualities. Trouble is many children will display some autistic qualities without actually qualifying on the scale to be "labelled" autistic. Which is one reason why diagnosis is not made until a child turns 3, which actually is unfortunate in some cases, as many autistic children act quite "normal" until about that age. Learned language abilities can suddenly disperse and behaviours appear that were not apparent until that age, which many parents were led to believe were due to inoculation. Quite a dilemma for most parents wondering what appears to have gone wrong, what they have done to cause this (which is absolutely zero).

    More emphasis should be placed on assisting the child showing these autistic qualities to receive early intervention, which can have enormous potential. Sadly most children are missing out on this early diagnosis, for a variety of reasons, from parents not accepting the child has a problem, to paediatricians waiting to see how well the child is developing. Then, of course the child starts pre-school and school for which the schools (no matter how many under-educated aides … or teachers they employ) generally sadly do next to nothing to help the developing child. These children more than often fall educationally far below their peers, to a point they can never re-emerge, within an environment that was never prepared for them in the first place. Case of square pegs and round holes scenario.

    Institutions such as schools are generally not as welcoming as one would be led to expect, not so keen to adapt let alone be welcoming, and blame "lack of funding" over and over again. I know; my son ended up trying out 3 different schools within the public sector … left the first one because the principal said as far as she was concerned she saw no bullying at her school so therefore it didn't exist. Go figure! Yes, it is quite disappointing; parents are not so keen to make complaints yet their children fall further and further behind even with the parents taking up so much slack as possible. It was my child's choice to seek change schools (change being the bugbear for all those with autism … so the wish to change must have been extremely strong); was too fearful to stay in the playground during recess breaks so a safe place (library) was found. Thank you to the teacher who arranged that one … see I am not totally all negative about teachers. Perhaps assisting the child to adapt to the playground may have been a better alternative but I guess that depends on the "danger" factor of them. Yes, you may find it odd but in some testing my child did respond to the word DANGER with PLAYTIME. I would not think that appropriate but that was his experience, and perhaps an indicator something was very, very wrong there. Strangely the next school didn't believe in offering safe places at schools (simply out of the question) but fortunately child loved being out in the playground with the other children; child chose that school. It was definitely not all roses, of course, though the child did not seek out safe places again like in the previous school. Which leaves you to wonder at a "disabled" child we understand "change" is the worst fear, was not actually the case in this reality. Bumps, bruises, teacher frustration and variable learning outcomes … par for the course.

    It's been very debatable how much homework any child should be doing (my paediatrican said zero), let alone placing extra workload on a child struggling with autism, when they have a higher requirement for downtime. Odd then that a society would unfortunately spend far more on a child with a disability that has not had a satisfactory education in the long run, than one that had spent far less on a child that has full support in their developing years.

    Parents of children that feel their "normal" children should not be in classes with "disabled" children, or resentful that extra money is spent on "those" children should remember this. They also forget that much of the teacher aide time is spent assisting their own "normal" children time after time. Who is it that their child who may (or may not) be struggling is more likely to ask in class, if they have a question? They need to remember that an aide in the class is beneficial to their child in more ways than one, and must not forget their are other non-diagnosed, non-funded, children that are also receiving assistance from that aide … as these children are often grouped together (in teams) for overall assistance. I have seen this many times as an unpaid volunteer in classes. The last classes I attended in this capacity had zero other parents assisting … so there I was helping their struggling "normal" children who had lower reading abilities, whose parents didn't find sufficient time to assist at home. Parents; 10 minutes a day listening to your child reading, and you don't have time for that. I was there then taking up the slack.

• 

  Baysew on 27/07/2014 - 12:21

  Another expired deal from OP gamma.