FAQautism » Quality of Life

Making Change Common

dwightk — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:33:00 +0000

Many individuals with autism have problems with change, whether unexpected changes in their daily routine or a significant shift in their life such as a family split or moving to a new school. Autism can also cause a person to be intolerant of wearing new shoes, sleeping on a new pillow, using a different type of soap or toothpaste, or eating a different brand of soup. Let us look at one strategy that can gradually help our friends with autism become more tolerant of change in their lives.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Because of individual differences, it is impossible to develop one fool-proof strategy for increasing tolerance for change and for decreasing agitation or explosive outbursts in the face of change. But it is helpful to look at strategies that have worked for others people with autism. One such option to consider is that of making change common.

I noticed years ago that youngsters with autism in larger families seemed to be more flexible and more tolerant of change. Keep in mind that this observation was not based on scientific data, and that I certainly knew some children with large families who were, indeed, extraordinarily obsessed with routine and quite intolerant of even minor changes in the details of their daily lives. But, in general terms, growing up in a busy household seemed to make some individuals with autism more able to cope with unexpected events and sudden changes in schedule.

Over the years, some families and teachers have successfully instituted the “big family” strategy of intentionally making change a part of the daily routine for children, teens, and adults with autism. Every day, teachers and parents purposefully insert one or more unexpected change in schedule or a change in one or more aspects of daily life, e.g. a new snack or menu item at a meal, a new pair of socks or t-shirt, a new music CD while riding in the car, or a different type of shampoo.

TIP FOR THE DAY: We certainly want to respect the fact that autism causes intolerance for change for many individuals with autism, but we can sometimes help them gradually learn to cope if we make change part of their daily routine.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

The following posts may also be helpful:

Making Change Routine “My brother gets very upset when there are any changes...
Change the Changeable Toolkit What options do we have when a student with autism...
Resisting Change How can we help our friends with autism deal with...

Safety ID

dwightk — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:01:16 +0000

Individuals with autism who need some assistance in an emergency situation will usually have someone close by to help in the event of an unexpected disaster such as a fire, storm, car wreck, or earthquake. But the possibility of separation always exists, so we should consider the options for a safety ID in the event of an emergency.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Picture ID cards are essential. In addition to a photo of the individual and their name, you might consider including some of the following information.

1. CONTACT. Include the name of contact person, relationship, phone numberd. and e.mail address. You might even have a small photo of that contact person. Even if your youngster knows his contact information, you might consider including names and phone numbers since anyone can get flustered in an emergency and forget important facts.

2. AUTISM: You might want to include a brief explanation of your youngster’s situation on the back of the card. For example, the statement could say something like this: “Because Diane is autistic, she is not able to answer questions and she gets very agitated in unfamiliar situations. If she screams and hits, just calmly and quietly tell her that you know she is upset and call us so she can hear a familiar voice.”

Although photo ID cards are important, they are not always accessible if the person is not close to their backpack or wallet. So we need to find a way to keep identifying information on the person. Some folks with autism can tolerate an ID bracelet or “dog-tag” type necklace, especially if they start wearing it at an early age.

I don’t know about methods for applying permanent identifying information such as microchips or tattoos, but I do know that some individuals with autism are escape artists and others have sensory issues that prevent their wearing jewelry ID. If a person tends to run or to hide away from other people – especially when faced with an emergency situation or unexpected separation from their friends or family – caregivers may want to explore some sort of permanent ID.

I hope folks will share their ideas for ID’s. Just click on the comments button or send us a message to talk@FAQautism.com.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

Published on: Apr 7, 2008

No related posts.

Volunteer Job

dwightk — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:01:07 +0000

Some individuals with autism have full-time or part-time jobs, independently or with support. Some people pursue successful and thriving careers. But, for a variety of reasons, others are unable to hold a “regular” job. One option in this case is to pursue a career as a volunteer.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Volunteer work has a number of advantages, not the least of which is life satisfaction. Volunteering also gives some structure to daily schedules, purpose to life, and opportunities to meet and interact with new people. Working as a volunteer gives a person opportunities to make connections with their extended community and to build on their repertoire of job-related skills. Over time, a person may be able to move from being a volunteer into a paying job as they develop new skills and make connections with potential employers through their volunteer efforts.

Sometimes we need to think creatively to find an appropriate volunteer “job,” but the benefits are worth the effort. A volunteer can lend a helping hand for as little as twenty minutes a week or as much as five hours s a day. Some of my friends help fold bulletins at church, file medical records at the clinic, run the vacuum cleaner at the day care, help deliver Meals on Wheels, or helping an elderly neighbor put clothes in and out of a washer and dryer. Volunteer opportunities can range from helping feed animals at a shelter to playing piano during lunchtime at a nursing home. Attention to detail helps some of our friends with autism excel at tasks such as inputting data, sorting papers or mail, putting library books on shelves, or filing records. Even individuals with very limited skills can help water plants, push a grocery basket, or put newspapers on the porch for their neighbors.

TIP FOR THE DAY. Keep a sharp eye for volunteer opportunities that match the skills and interests of your friends with autism. All of our lives are enriched when people are given a chance to lend a helping hand.

The following posts may also be helpful:

Volunteer Career Some individuals with autism have full-time or part-time jobs, independently...
Helping Others Helping Others The life of every individual, whether they function...
Falling Short We are falling short on all the things we should...

Too Talkative

dwightk — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 04:01:42 +0000

When one of my non-verbal friends with autism graduated from high school, she moved into a very supportive residential setting. Unfortunately, her attempts to communicate were rather irritating. She made loud, repetitive jabbering sounds to greet people or to express her opinion. Under the circumstances, should she be encouraged to talk, or not?

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Despite many years of intensive speech therapy, this young adult is unable to use sign language, picture symbols, or assistive communication devices very effectively because of significant cognitive and motor limitations. She tends to throw any objects rather than using them to communicate.

When she moved to her new home, everyone wanted to encourage her to interact, but her loud and repetitive noises when attempting to communicate with others made it necessary to teach her to verbalize in more appropriate ways so she would not irritate people around her.

Step 1. She was taught to get the attention of a person by touching their shoulder or hand and to make a soft sound, “Hey,” then wait for them to respond. People were encouraged to respond to her rather quickly rather than allowing her attempts to get their attention to escalate. If they were not able to give her attention at that point, they said, “I will talk to you in a minute,” or “Wait, please. I cannot talk now.”

Step 2. Once she had their attention, she could point or show the person what she wanted to talk about. For example, if she wanted a drink, she could point to the refrigerator. Or, if she was wondering about weekend plans, she could bring the staff her picture schedule. Again, the staff were trained to listen attentively and to respond to her rather than ignoring her until she irritated them.

Step 3. She was taught to use one soft, single-syllable sound when she wanted to say something rather than repeating phrases loudly over and over again.

Step 4. The staff and her peers in her new living situation were encouraged to acknowledge her verbalizations as if she had spoken words or phrases they understood – similar to talking to a person who has had a stroke. They could reflect her communication attempts by saying something like, “You really like that apple pie, don’t you?” or “You want to wear your purple sweatshirt.”

Step 5. Because this young lady is a sociable person who obviously loves to “talk,” people in her community were encouraged to take a bit of time with her every day to talk to her while riding in the car, sitting on a swing, looking at the newspaper together, or eating meals. She seems to really cherish those interactions, and, maybe as a result of those personal connections, became a bit less demanding and more content. Her loud, repetitive, and rather irritating verbalizations are decreasing, probably because she is now able to get the attention of folks and to communicate with them more appropriately. And, because people around her purposefully take time to interact with her, everyone is more content.

The following posts may also be helpful:

Either Or How can I encourage youngsters with autism in my class...
Talk or Not During their school years, many non-verbal students with autism are...
Hamburgers or Hot Dogs “My son has finally moved past the stage of echoing...

Holding a Grudge

dwightk — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:39:24 +0000

Everyone encounters injustices in life, but sometimes it seems as if autism is a magnet for difficulties and conflict with agencies, teachers, insurance companies, doctors, schools, committees, and, sometimes, even society in general. What is the best response when we encounter criticism?

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Some of my friends with autism and their families have dealt with difficult people or inflexible policies over the years. For example, some parents have told me of a spouse, member of their extended family, neighbor, therapist, teacher, classroom aid, administrator, group home staff, job coach, or medical professional who has been judgmental or uncaring about their child. Some people in their lives have refused to accept their child, have been overly critical of the child or the parent, or have had unrealistic expectations.

Some families have encountered roadblocks from agencies and decision makers about issues such as funding services, providing critical services, considering appropriate placement, or other issues that impact the life of their loved one with autism.

Sometimes the attitudes or reactions of complete strangers can be the source of our anger when it comes to autism. For example, a grocery store clerk or a parent at a baseball game may glare at us or at our youngster in the midst of a meltdown. When we least expect it, we may overhear someone making a critical remark about our parenting skills or about our youngster with autism. I’ve heard young children blurt out a hurtful remark like, “What is wrong with that boy?” And I’ve heard adults say things like, “Why don’t his parents do something to stop that?”

How should we respond when this happens? How can we be expected to overlook such stinging, hurtful remarks? Over the past 40 years, my friends who have chosen to do just that, to ignore criticism and biting comments, have fared far better than those who hold grudges. You can waste a lot of energy holding a grudge against a person or an agency or society in general for injustices to your child with autism. Sometimes it is best to forgive and forget and move on. This includes forgiving a person who does not necessarily deserve forgiveness.

TIP FOR THE DAY: All of us, whether diagnosed with autism or not, can benefit from growing thick skin and forgiving people for their rudeness – whether they intended to hurt feelings or not. Just focus on the positive and purposefully choose to overlook the negative happenings in our lives.

We can also benefit from focusing on sharpening our own skills so we can more systematically address challenging issues that can arise in the lives of our friends with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website for great resources; http://FAQautism.com

No related posts.

Evening Round-up

dwightk — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:01:35 +0000

No matter how tired everyone is in the evenings, you may discover taking some time to slow down, get organized, and make connections with your youngster with autism is an invaluable investment of time and energy. Remember that the goal is not perfection, but rather to increase contentment and decrease stress for everyone.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Take a few minutes to do a few routine tasks so you don’t have to deal with them in the chaos of the morning rush. Back when I was a young, harried mother, I found myself stomping around bellowing orders and empty threats as I tried to get the kids in bed. I kept thinking of all the things that needed my attention. As my stress level rose, I made everyone around me miserable. So, I’m suggesting an alternate plan. Make an effort to remain calm in spite of the loud sound of looming deadlines. You can’t control every aspect of family life, and you can’t make everything perfect, so just relax. Establish the Evening Round-Up as a regular routine to get ahead of the flood, thinking of it as an “investment in contentment” rather than a “time thief.”

Here’s a sample Evening Round-Up checklist to get you started. Without nagging, spend some time calmly help your youngsters get their checklists completed.
1. CLOTHES. Does each person have a set of clean clothes? Do they need gym clothes or after school clothes or basketball league clothes? What about shoes, socks, underwear, coats, hats, etc.?
2. BODY. Clean head to toe in the evenings to prevent a morning rush. That means shower or bathe, wash hair, brush teeth, and even shave if needed.
3. BACK PACK. Put all work supplies and/or books, permission slips, lunch money, and other necessary items in back pack before going to bed.
4. CONNECTION. Take a few minutes for quiet interaction with your youngster with autism. This is important even if your youngster is non-verbal or does not seem to participate in the conversation. Read a story or talk about their day to help them make an emotional connection with you and wind down. Take time to review the schedule for the upcoming day, to discuss concerns, and to review rules and/or expectations – whether they seem to understand or not. And don’t forget to remind your youngsters of your love and support.

TIP FOR THE DAY: Remember, perfection is not the goal here. You just want to make an investment of 30 minutes every night to increase contentment. Believe me, your efforts will pay off big time for all involved.

And take a bit of time to learn new ways to systematically address challenging issues that can arise in the lives of our friends with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our webiste for great resources; http://FAQautism.com

The following posts may also be helpful:

Bedtime Round-Up Today is the first day of school for many youngsters...
School Nights School starts this week for many youngsters with autism, so...
Grooming Habits Poor hygiene is a serious problem. Unpleasant body odor, bad...

Making Everything Perfect

dwightk — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:01:36 +0000

School started this week, so I’ve seen several challenging issues arise as young friends with autism attempt to adjust to new campuses, new classrooms, new teachers and classroom aids, new school routines, and new students in the hallways and classrooms. Moving to a new school can challenge even the most secure person, but the change can be particularly challenging to a youngster with autism. No matter how hard we try, it is impossible to make everything perfect during this time of transition.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Observing this rough school adjustment period for students with autism year after year since 1974 has taught me several valuable lessons, one of which is to avoid trying to make everything perfect for these youngsters.
Our instincts compel us to make plans for weeks in advance to smooth out every possible challenge a young student with autism might possibly encounter. Granted, we want to help youngsters adapt to new settings gradually, but, in the long run, we don’t do them any favor by removing all challenges.

Here are a few strategies that have worked for some of my friends with autism during the first few months of school as they struggle with transition to a new classroom situation. Keep in mind that every single person has different challenges and different preferences, so adapt to fit the needs of any specific student.

+ Celebrate the new. If our youngsters with autism are particularly upset about leaving their previous school and teachers behind, we certainly want to acknowledge that and give them time and space to grieve and even be angry. At the same time, we can set the tone for the new classroom by speaking positively about the upcoming year. Again, without too much fanfare, we can chat about events in the upcoming week and make positive comments about the new school and teachers and students.

+ Allow for adjustment. When behavior issues escalate at the beginning of a school year, we are likely to trace the cause to our friend’s intolerance for change since transition is challenging for many individuals with autism. Given those circumstances, teachers and parents might want to allow for an adjustment period and balance expectations for appropriate behavior with the need for patience on our part during the first several days or weeks or months of school.

TIP FOR THE DAY: We can inadvertently contribute to the transition problems by our words and actions. In most cases, the challenging behavior attached to transition decreases as the youngster with autism adjusts to the new place, new people, and new daily routine. It can actually be counterproductive in the long-run to try to remove all the challenges or to make the road so smooth that our friends with autism do not ever experience the frustrations of transition to a new school. Sometimes our best strategy is to relax and help them slowly adjust to he new setting.

I encourage you to take time to explore new approaches for addressing challenging issues that can arise in the lives of our friends with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website for practical, to-the-point resources with workbooks and audio discussion. Our website is http://FAQautism.com

The following posts may also be helpful:

Back to School Blues Some folks just don’t like change. Some folks with autism...
Back to School Transition “Every year our son struggles with the transition from the...
Teacher Questions 1 Several teachers, administrators, and classroom aids have asked for tips...

Recess Stinks

dwightk — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:01:26 +0000

An articulate friend with autism is not very happy. She doesn’t like recess. Most fifth graders love recess and lunch, but this youngster does not. Interestingly, the reasons for her aversion to free time are different from what I expected.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Most fifth grade students like recess because it is unstructured free time. But my friend with autism tells me that she feels lost and at loose ends. “I like a schedule,” she said. “All the other kids like to sit around and talk or play some soccer or something random, but I like to have a plan.” Free time is refreshing for many people, but stress increases for this youngster with autism since she feels at loose ends.

Many fifth grade girls are sensitive to other girls in the group – their opinions, their conversations, and their selection of friends. My friend is rather oblivious to all the social issues that are so important to other youngsters her age. Her preference to sit alone under a tree or walk around the playground alone is often interrupted by well-meaning teachers and other adults who spend a great deal of time encouraging her to interact with her classmates during recess. Although the adults are concerned about her being alone, they may not realize that is actually her preference.

This conversation with my fifth grade friend with autism sheds light on some of her opinions about free time events like recess. Future podcasts will provide some strategies for helping youngsters learn to tolerate recess and other free time activities, but the purpose of this podcast is to raise awareness of the unique perspectives often encountered by individuals with autism – perspectives that can be contrary to what we consider common sense.

It is easy to draw false conclusions when we see a child sitting alone or refusing to participate in less-structured activities during recess with their peers. We might assume they are pouting or feeling left out or being uncooperative and anti-social. But in reality, they may literally prefer to spend time alone.

TIP FOR THE DAY: Individuals with autism often have different opinions, choices, and preferences from their peers. Rather than imposing our preferences or assuming the worst, we might want to take time to know the person so we can avoid jumping to conclusions.

It is also wise to take time to explore new approaches for addressing challenging issues that can arise in the lives of our friends with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website for great resources; http://FAQautism.com

The following posts may also be helpful:

Recess Is Not Fun Most school kids (and teachers) really look forward to recess....
Recess Rules Sometimes individuals with autism are inattentive to people around them....
Surviving School Recess “Our daughter is starting kindergarten this year,” wrote the parents...

Favorite Clothes

dwightk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:01:19 +0000

At what point do favorite clothes become an obsession rather than a preference. A high-school friend who functions on the spectrum of autism reports that she only wears t-shirts featuring her favorite television star. She said, “I don’t know if it is an obsession, but I just feel like I can’t wear any other shirts to school.” Every Thursday, I visit with one of my friends with autism whose clothing preference might be considered obsessive. Although she has a closet full of clothes, she has worn the same outfit every single Thursday, no matter the weather, for over ten years. The outfit is getting rather tattered. Some parents have discovered that they only make matters worse when they try to get rid of favorite clothing. The issue can become serious when sweatshirts deteriorate into shreds or shoes no longer fit.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Some individuals with autism like to wear only a certain style or color of clothing, or like our high-school super fan, clothing with one theme. With just a few exceptions, this type of preference does not pose any particular challenges as long as family members, teachers, bosses, and other folks don’t make it an issue.

The problem arises when a person literally wants to wear the same clothes every single day, or if they won’t give up clothes or shoes after years of wear. Even if a person wears the same size for years on end, clothes and shoes eventually wear out. So, what are some options that caregivers can implement if they face this dilemma?

1. Buy two of everything. If a person will only wear a certain navy sweatshirt or a certain pair of sneakers, then purchase two or three sets and rotate them every two or three days.
2. Forget style. Don’t worry about what other people think.
3. Avoid extreme styles. When children are young, try to avoid extreme styles so you don’t run the risk of your youngster latching onto that style for several decades. You probably don’t want your daughter still wearing frilly pink pinafores when she is twenty-three.
4. Tolerate the transition. When clothes and shoes literally fall apart, we have no choice but to replace them. We just need to be prepared to tolerate the meltdowns that sometimes occur when old favorites must be replaced.
5. Ease into change. We can sometimes ease the transition by introducing a new pair of shoes several months before replacement is critical. The shoes may be more familiar and acceptable if they’ve been visible in the closet for several months and if they have lost the “new shoe” smell. New clothing is usually more easily acceptable if it has been washed several times and has been in sight for several months. One adult friend with autism said that he still has an extreme aversion to shopping for new clothes, so it helps him if a family member shops for clothes and runs them through the washer several times before putting them in his closet.
6. Keep souvenirs. If the person simply will not part with old favorites, put outgrown shoes or tattered pants in a zip lock bag as a souvenir. You can make a throw pillow out of patches of favorite shirts. Take a snapshot of your youngster wearing their old favorites.

We welcome your stories about favorite clothing and ideas for dealing with this potentially challenging issue. Just click on the comment button or send us an e-mail – talk@FAQautism.com

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

Published on: Mar 7, 2008

The following posts may also be helpful:

Age-Appropriate Clothes Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the day-to-day challenges...
Shoes Sensory issues can effect every aspect of life for individuals...
Shoe Issues Shoes issues go to extremes for some individuals with autism....

Science of Autism

dwightk — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:01:49 +0000

Autism is complex. Each person diagnosed with autism is different, so what is true for one person may not be so for another. People living with autism and the professionals providing services often have more questions than answers. Slowly but surely, science is validating some facts about autism.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Autism Speaks, founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism, has grown into the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. The web address is http://autismspeaks.org

Recently, Autism Speaks invited the public to submit questions to their science team about autism research. They received over 3,000 questions in a short period of time, making it impossible to answer every single question. But they did combine the question topics and provided answers to seven most frequently asked questions. I encourage you to click on this link to see the answers the science team at Autism Speaks provided on their website:

http://bit.ly/9muWxE

The questions addressed by Autism Speaks in this link are:
1. Are you finding that autism is increasing at the same/similar pace worldwide?
2. Is there empirical evidence that parental age is a contributing factor to giving birth to a child with autism?
3. Has the rate of autism truly increased in the last 50 years or so or is it just that the classification of autism has gotten broader and as such the prevalence seems larger?
4. Any link between vaccines and autism? Put this issue to rest once and for all, one way or the other.
5. How can families participate in research studies?
6. Are you aware of any research being done on diet and its affect on children w/ autism? If so, what has been learned?
7. Why is autism more common in boys?

As you read information from Autism Speaks and other respected sources of data-based information about autism, remember the opening sentence of this podcast: “Autism is complex.” Given that complexity, it is literally impossible to apply the findings of any research study to every single individual with autism. But, scientific research does uncover evidence and discover trends that can be helpful to all of us as we strive to improve the quality of life of our friends with autism.

The following posts may also be helpful:

VODcast: Neurology A recent AP article highlights newly published research that takes...
Revealing Autism 1 A parent asked recently about the wisdom of telling her...
Autism Experts Autism is a broad term, describing individuals who function across...

Duct Tape Magic

dwightk — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:01:39 +0000

One of our regular FAQautism.com followers – a mom extraordinaire – sent a message with lots of good ideas for keeping life on track for her daughter. And for the rest of the family. Among other things, she recommended keeping a roll of duct tape handy. Duct tape? Why duct tape?

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

1. This mom had a great idea for using duct tape to alleviate anxiety for her daughter when using a public restroom. Mom wrote, “Almost all the toilets have electric eye flusher systems – and the anxiety of it flushing when she wasn’t “ready” made her a wreck and me too – so I would tape over the electric eye while she was in the stall & then remove it when she was done.”

2. This mom also recommended duct tape for emergency repairs. If something breaks, you can fix it quickly and without fanfare. And I’m convinced duct tape has magic properties, i.e. somehow broken items stay together until you can get home and get a “real” repair job done.

3. Over the years, I’ve noticed the therapeutic qualities of duct tape. If one of my friends with autism gets anxious or frustrated, I stick a small piece of duct tape on the knee of their jeans or tennis shoes or even the palms of their hands. Repetitively sticking and unsticking the duct tape often distracts my friend and diffuses their distress.

TIP FOR THE DAY: I’ve noticed that duct tape comes in colors now, but, for some reason, I still like the traditional silver color. I keep a small roll in a ziplock bag with a small pair of scissors to get the tape going so I can tear off a bit easily.

Duct tape is handy, and so are our new FAQautism.com Toolkits. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website to check out these great resources; http://FAQautism.com

The following posts may also be helpful:

Destructive Habits Some of my friends with autism pull threads and strings...

Back to School Blues

dwightk — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:01:30 +0000

Some folks just don’t like change. Some folks with autism HATE change! As summer comes to an end, and the first day of school approaches, some students with autism respond with temper outbursts, poor sleeping habits, and stubborn refusal to follow directions. Even youngsters who seem to like school struggle with the transition. What can we do about the “Back to School Blues?”

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Because of individual differences, it is difficult to come up with a “one-size-fits-all” strategy for building a smooth bridge between summer and the school year. But several basic strategies have helped the process for lots of folks over the years.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIFFICULTY. If we recognize and accept that fact that resistance to change is a natural result of autism, we can take positive, pro-active steps to help our youngsters make a smooth transition from summer to school. The whole process can be less stressful if family members, teachers, and others accept the fact that transition and change are difficult for many individuals with autism. That doesn’t mean that we should ignore inappropriate and troublesome behavior, but it does mean that we can adopt an attitude of helping our friend on their journey rather than getting frustrated with their tantrums and stubbornness.

INTRODUCE CHANGE GRADUALLY. Several weeks before school starts, we can gradually begin introducing structure to the evening routine and to the morning routine. We can gradually begin waking our youngster up closer and closer to the time they will need to rise once school starts.

MAKE TRANSITION AN ADVENTURE. Purchase a calendar that can be used to keep track of the last weeks before school starts. Your youngster with autism can mark off each day in a countdown to school, and he can write down “back-to-school events” such as shopping for school supplies and Meet the Teacher night. Your family can have a “Last Day of Summer” party that includes swimming, carving a watermelon, churning ice cream, or other favorite summer activities. Granted, a low-key approach is better for some individuals with autism who would be overwhelmed with all this excitement, but others get distracted with the celebrations, making back-to-school blues evaporate.

We welcome your input. Share challenges and ideas based on your experiences or intuition. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

The following posts may also be helpful:

Back to School Transition “Every year our son struggles with the transition from the...
VODcast: Back to School All families struggle a bit when it is time to...
Transition is Tough In spite of strategic plans by families and schools to...

Meteor Showers

dwightk — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:01:02 +0000

Mid-August is a great time for a Shooting Star Party. Just gather with some family and friends after sunset, spread sheets on the ground, and gaze upward. Although some individuals with autism might not seem to notice the bright streaks through the night sky, it is still a relaxing, enjoyable experience. A bit of planning and a bit of knowledge about meteor showers can make this nighttime adventure a great success.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

The best way to see meteor showers is to find a place in the country, a park, or even your backyard. Just get away from the glare and glow of bright lights. The moon can also interfere with viewing meteors, so pick a time when the moon is not hogging the sky.

Take lawn chairs that lay flat or sheets to spread on the ground. You may want to take insect repellent, but leave the flashlights at home since they just interfere with your night vision. If you must take a flashlight, cover it with red cellophane. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope to see meteors – they will flash so quickly and brightly in the night sky that you can see them by simply looking up.

In mid-August, the earth crosses through a band of tiny bits of dust from the tail of the Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. Because the comet dust streaks through the earth’s upper atmosphere at thousands of miles per hour, it flashes brightly in our night sky. The flashes look like shooting stars, but are actually meteors. This annual event, called the Perseid meteor shower, results in up to 30 meteors an hour. During this August shower, you will see most of the meteors in the northeast section of the sky. Other moving objects you will notice are airplanes flying high above the earth (they have flashing lights) and satellites that look like stars that move steadily across the night sky from left to right.

Before going out for your Shooting Star Party, encourage your friend with autism to find out interesting facts about meteors by clicking on Astronomy.com or Stardate.org. For example, they will read that most meteors are smaller than a grain of sand. They will also learn that meteors streak across the sky 24 hours a day. It is just that we cannot see them during the daytime. In fact, several hundred tons of meteors burn up in the atmosphere every single day. Very few meteors survive their fall through the earth’s atmosphere. Those that do are called meteorites.

You can enjoy the bright streaks that light up our night sky at any time of year, but you will want to mark your calendar for mid-August to see a literal shower of shooting stars. Enjoy! We welcome your ideas for adventures and excursions. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

The following posts may also be helpful:

Meteor Showers Mid-August is a great time for a Shooting Star Party....
Shooting Stars Mid-August is a great time for a Shooting Star Party....
Night Sky Lie down on a blanket or on a reclining lawn...

Amusement Parks and Autism

dwightk — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:01:24 +0000

Several friends with autism and their families have gone to amusement parks over the summer. The experiences have been different for all involved, so we are taking a few minutes to look at some challenges that may arise when visiting a large amusement park.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

1. Timing. Most large amusement parks such as Six Flags, Sea World, Disney World, and others get more crowded in the afternoons and early evening. If your friend with autism can tolerate large crowds and waiting in line, then you can go anytime. If not, you need to find the least crowded time. Also keep in mind that some of our friends with autism are “morning people,” and some are not. In order to give all the best experience, you need to plan the timing carefully.

2. Logistics. Some individuals with autism have special diets or medical needs, or need assistance with toileting. If so, plan in advance for taking care of those individual needs without too much fanfare. For example, if you are a mom and your 25-year-old son with autism needs a bit of assistance with bathroom issues, you need to locate the family restrooms so you can help him without making a scene.

3. Personal preferences. Remember that not everyone loves to ride the roller coaster and not everyone wants to get splashed by dolphins. It is hard to find the balance between encouraging a person to try something new and forcing them into a situation that makes them feel very uncomfortable. And some of our friends with autism are not able to articulate that well. So we need to watch closely – supporting and encouraging people as they try something new while at the same time, keeping a eye out for signs of serious discomfort and respecting their preferences. I’ve heard frustrated parents say things like, “We paid a lot of money for the tickets, so we aren’t going to just sit under this tree watching the people walk by.” But we need to know in advance that our friend may literally not be interested in the excitement, or that they really do prefer watching shows to taking wild rides.

TIP FOR THE DAY: I encourage introducing our friends with autism to new experiences and exciting adventures while at the same time respecting their preferences, no matter how offbeat they seem.

And it is always wise to take time to explore new approaches for addressing challenging issues that can arise in the lives of our friends with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website for great resources; http://FAQautism.com

No related posts.

Cooking Over a Campfire

dwightk — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:01:38 +0000

Over the years, many of my friends of all ages with autism have been intrigued with the process of cooking over a fire. Even people who have never shown much interest in eating have taken bites of food they have helped prepare over the colorful glowing embers and dancing flames.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Take a look at our podcast, “Summer Campfires” for some tips about building a fire. Then try some of the recipes below, adapting them as needed for special dietary restrictions and very selective eaters.

S’mores. It is always fun to give your friend with autism a chance to help out by making a list of items needed for s’mores and shopping for them at the store – with your assistance only as needed. So, for example, if he is able to do so, let him find the ingredients in the grocery store without your help. Traditional s’mores use graham crackers, Hershey chocolate bars, and marshmallows. You can also try a less messy version by using the chocolate flavored graham crackers and marshmallows.

Bread on a Stick. Just stretch a canned butter biscuit into a long thin shape and spiral it around the end of a long stick. Wait until the flames have died down into glowing coals and slowly “bake” the biscuit over the fire, turning the stick slowly until your Bread on a Stick is golden on all sides. Slip it off the stick, let it cool a few minutes, then enjoy this delicious treat. I’ve seen some of my rather impatient friends with autism cook their bread very patiently.

Tip for the day. Many different snacks can be adapted for the campfire without too much special equipment. No need to cook the whole meal over the fire – just enjoy simple foods with one or two aspects cooked on the fire. It is an intriguing process for all. Enjoy!

The following posts may also be helpful:

Summer Campfire There are few experiences more enjoyable than watching the flames...
Campfire Gathering “I always enjoyed campfires when I was little, and I...
Summer Campfire Gathering around a campfire is a traditional summertime experience that...

Summer Campfire

dwightk — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 04:01:57 +0000

Gathering around a campfire is a traditional summertime experience that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and interests. There are few experiences more enjoyable than watching the flames of a campfire leap up from the logs, cooking s’mores with family and friends, singing some silly songs, then watching the embers glow and fade. Let us look at some ideas based on long experience to help make the campfire a safe, enjoyable, stress-free experience for all.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

One of the keys to helping make campfires – or any experience, for that matter – is for individuals with special needs to participate actively in the preparation. By helping with advance preparations for a campfire, your friend can enjoy anticipating the upcoming event while at the same time learning first hand about fire safety, a critical bit of knowledge.

So, for example, your friend with autism could collect sticks to use in the fire or gather rocks to make the fire ring. She could help clear leaves and debris from around the fire ring, and help bring out the lawn chairs or drag up logs for people to sit on outside the fire ring. She can help as she is able to fill the water bucket, stretch the water hose to the site, and put a shovel close to the fire.

Other advance preparations include inviting family and friends to participate, plan the snack menu, pick some fun campfire songs, and welcome people as they arrive.

TIP FOR THE DAY: The key ingredients to a successful campfire are these: (1) SAFETY FIRST, and (2) encouraging your friend with autism to be actively involved in all aspects of the preparation.

The following posts may also be helpful:

Summer Campfire There are few experiences more enjoyable than watching the flames...
Campfire Gathering “I always enjoyed campfires when I was little, and I...
Cooking Over a Campfire Over the years, many of my friends of all ages...

Summer Traditions

dwightk — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:01:03 +0000

Sometimes we get so bogged down in dealing with special diets, meds, therapy, behavior management, and other issues related to the special needs of our friends with autism that we forget to make room for good old-fashioned fun. Some parents were brainstorming about summer traditions, and came up with these quick, easy, inexpensive ideas to help make the most of these waning days of summer.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

WATERMELON. Although nearly all their kids have food allergies to some degree, these parents realized that none of their kids were allergic to watermelon. They suggested letting the youngster thump the melons and pick out a melon from a patch or from the grocery store. Chill it in the frig overnight or put it in a cooler covered with a bag of ice. Spread some newspaper ground outside for an adult to slice the melon, then let everyone enjoy the chilly treat. And don’t forget to have a seed-spitting contest!

FLASHLIGHTS. One time we had a summer evening get-together with a bunch of school-aged youngsters with autism. Most were non-verbal and were generally inattentive. All had some significant behavior issues. But every single person was intrigued when we gave them small flashlights. Some waved their lights wildly to make patterns and others shone their lights intently on one object. Several noticed the light changed when it flashed through a water bottle. Some were fascinated with the on-off switch and others enjoyed hiding the light under their t-shirt only to see it shine through. Several parents reported that the flashlights were popular at home for months after our summer gathering.

Other ideas for fun summer traditions included playing in the water sprinkler, making hand-cranked ice cream, playing kickball, setting up a popup tent in the backyard, and taking a picnic to the park. We hope you’ll send your ideas for inexpensive, stress-free summer fun. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

Published on: Jul 23, 2008

The following posts may also be helpful:

Retro Summer Sometimes something as simple as having a theme for summer...
Lazy Summer Days “Sometimes the summer seems to drag during the month of...
Summer’s Coming The lazy, hazy days of summer are just around the...

Summer Isn’t Over

dwightk — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:01:01 +0000

During the first week of August, it seems that the first day of school is the focal point of conversations and activities for nearly everyone in my corner of the world. But many of my friends with autism live in the present moment, so they are not at all interested in the future. And those who do get caught up in “first day of school” fever can become obsessed with the event or agitated with the long wait. I encourage families of school-aged youngsters with autism to make the most of today rather than focusing on an event that is several weeks away.

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

One strategy for making the most of each day is to plan a “Summer Special” – an event that a youngster can look forward to each day in August. This can be something very simple, a fun activity that celebrates summertime. For example, you could add any one of these activities on a calendar each day in August:
1. playing in the water sprinkler
2. giving the garden or trees or birds a drink
3. counting stars and fireflies as they emerge after sunset
4. making lemonade
5. guessing which of two ice cubes will melt first on a hot sidewalk
6. collecting shells or rocks or sticks in a box
7. getting up early to watch the sun rise
8. writing a letter to grandmamma
9. taking a trip to the library every other day
10. making homemade ice cream or popcorn or other fun snack

TIP FOR THE DAY: The idea is to find some simple activities your child or your friend with autism enjoys, then put one on the calendar each day. This helps decrease the agitation of waiting, and it helps everyone celebrate the current day rather than focusing on a future event.

The following posts may also be helpful:

Enjoy Today Most people take their parenting responsibilities and do their best...
Meteor Showers Mid-August is a great time for a Shooting Star Party....
Meteor Showers Mid-August is a great time for a Shooting Star Party....

Outside Adventures

dwightk — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:01:14 +0000

Families, teachers, and others who care about the well-being of individuals with autism frequently ask for ideas to help prevent isolation. Challenges like loud outbursts, aggressive behaviors, repetitive mannerisms, and meltdowns can make folks hesitate to get out in public. Sometimes it is just easier to just stay at home to keep the peace. The downside to that decision is isolation for our friends with autism as well as for folks in their care network. One way to decrease seclusion and detachment from society is to get outside!

Listen Now:

or

continue reading

Wide open spaces allow for loud noises and provide a safe cover of anonymity for our friends who may unusual mannerisms. Getting outside also impacts physical health and emotional well-being. So, get up and get going!

1. Take a Trek. Walk or bike in the park, around the block, or just to the end of the driveway.
2. Around the House. Put a swing in the backyard or on the front porch. Go outside every day to feed the dog, put water in the birdbath, pick a tomato out of the garden, or pick up the newspaper. Lie on a blanket in the back yard to look at clouds or the stars.
3. Easy Sports. Play informal rounds of kickball, t-ball, tether ball or badminton. Shoot some hoops. Toss some horseshoes. Set up an outdoor obstacle course or play follow the leader.
4. In the Park. Go fly a kite. Enjoy an outdoor picnic or snack. Look through binoculars for birds or trees or cars driving by. Pick up litter.
5. Pick Your Own. Locate a local apple orchard, strawberry patch, or pecan orchard that allows “Pick Your Own” harvesting.
6. Explore. Take a trip to the zoo, to outdoor garden centers, to metropolitan areas, to drive-through nature centers, to state parks, to outdoor historical areas, or to a roadside park looking across miles of landscape.
7. Outdoor events. If your friend can tolerate anonymous crowds, take time to enjoy car shows, outdoor flea markets, outdoor arts festivals, county fairs, metropolitan parks or outdoor exhibits, rides on the metro, parades, firework displays, air shows, car races, and other events where folks can walk around freely.
8. Find water. One of the most universally enjoyable environments for all human beings is water – beach, lake, river, pool.

Be creative. Get outside. Don’t hesitate. Just do it. And send us your ideas. Just click on the comments button or send a message to talk@FAQautism.com

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

Published on: May 5, 2008

The following posts may also be helpful:

Getting Outside “As long as he had three meals a day, my...
Getting Outside “As long as he had three meals a day, my...
Chasing Winter Blues The winter mixture of short days, inclement weather, and lack...

Pack a Bag

dwightk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:01:46 +0000

Before heading out for a spring break trip or a weekend at Grandma’s house, take a look at some of these ideas for personalized travel bags. These tried-and-true ideas have helped decrease travel anxiety for individuals with autism and their families, so you might want to give them a try.

Listen Now:

or

Personal Travel Bag. Let your youngster pack his own small, zippered bag with items such as a small toy, familiar book, familiar video/DVD, or other personal favorites from home. To help ease transition into a new situation, include a small photo album with pictures of his room, pets, house, and the destination of your vacation.

Sleep-Tight Bag. To help encourage peaceful sleep in unfamiliar places, pack his pillow, sheet/blanket, and pajamas in a colorful stuff bag that is easy to identify and locate when you stop for the night.

YIKES! Kit. Keep an emergency kit handy that not only has first aid items and medications, but also some water bottles, snacks, a change of clothes, water-free hand cleaner, wet-wipes, and zip lock bags. Quart sized zip lock bags are good for a traveler who feel nauseous.

Explorer’s Bag. Prepare a small bag that includes a map, a disposable camera, binoculars, and a folder that can be filled with a “Destination Collection” of postcards and other souvenirs. Help your friend with autism remember take a picture of the group at every stop along the way – even roadside parks or places to eat – to record a visual history of the adventure.

Do you have some ideas for helping ease anxiety and behavior issues when traveling? Send them our way by clicking on the comments button or sending an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

Published on: Mar 28, 2008

The following posts may also be helpful:

Road Trip 3 Once the car is packed and contingency plans are completed,...
Road Trip Bags We finally think we can manage a road trip with...
Vacations Vacations take an incredible amount of planning a preparation for...