Several families have asked for ideas to help smooth the transition from home to a residential home for their young adult son or daughter with autism. Transition or change of any kind is challenging for many individuals with autism, and the families want to do what they can to help them adapt to their new [...]
Although most youngsters love the freedom of long, summer days, some kids with autism struggle with the lack of routine and an empty schedule. To help prevent the summertime blues, families might consider building some structure and predictable activities into their youngster’s daily routine this summer. Listen Now:
Why do some individuals with autism have frequent explosive outbursts – dropping to the floor or scratching their arms or throwing items? What is a person trying to communicate when they start screaming, hitting, or biting without warning or apparent provocation? What causes some of our friends with autism to suddenly start rocking vigorously, biting [...]
Several adult friends with autism have commented on problems related to grooming. One has sensory issues that make shaving and showering quite unpleasant. Another tells me that she remembers being very resistant as a kid to baths and brushing teeth. She thinks these unpleasant confrontations arose because she didn’t like her mom interrupting her daily [...]
Some individuals with autism obsessively pick at or scratch their skin, causing sores and wounds that do not heal readily. An ongoing cycle of scratching, breaking skin, picking at sores, and scratching can result in skin damage. How can we break the cycle of picking at skin? How can we protect sores and wounds to [...]
So, should children with limited skills be required to help with chores around the house? It is probably quicker and easier for adults to take care of daily tasks without interference or interruption of a youngster who needs assistance. Autism adds another layer since many individuals with autism require supervision and prompting in order to [...]
The lazy, hazy days of summer are just around the corner. Most school-aged kids enjoy all the free time and loose structure, but many individuals with autism prefer some consistency and a predictable schedule. Having pre-planned activities to look forward to each day can help keep the summer doldrums away for the youngsters and their [...]
Although we don’t always encourage people to be copycats, it would sometimes be helpful if our friends with autism noticed what was happening around them and followed the lead of others. To one degree or another, many individuals with autism fail to automatically pick up on social cues and mirror what folks around them are [...]
I spoke recently at a public forum about some of the challenges encountered by individuals with autism. Several people were surprised that I said on of my friends would only ride in her grandmother’s car, and only if her grandmother was driving. The grandmother wrote that this is a habit her granddaughter, a young adult, [...]
We are continuing the conversation with a reader who asked for some ideas to help things go smoothly when she has a chance to meet the 14-year-old son of a gentleman she is dating. The son, who visits every other weekend, has displayed some jealousy in the past. Because the son has some limitations in [...]
What are some considerations for people who date the parent of a son or daughter with autism? A reader recently wrote, “I am dating someone whose 14-year-old son is autistic. I really like this guy, so I need some advice about making things go smoothly should I have a chance to meet his son. My [...]
Parents wrote asking for thoughts about the wisdom of pursuing a diagnosis for their 18-year-old son. The parents reported that the son “has a severe thought disorder in the form of uncontrollable thoughts and images that replay constantly in his mind.” They went on to say that he has “very pedantic speech, very rigid routines, [...]
A friend sends e-mails occasionally describing her observations of the world as viewed through the lens of Asperger’s. She is a high school student who deals daily with issues related to her autism. and she has several friends who are diagnosed on the spectrum autism. Her insights and observations give us a glimpse into the [...]
Because most of us just join into group activities naturally, we are not aware of the vast array of prerequisite skills necessary to do so. In addition to dealing with issues surrounding transition, compliance, peer interaction, and sensory overload, individuals with autism must be aware of and follow commonly understood unwritten group rules. Listen Now: [...]
Some individuals with autism simply do not participate in group activities and others only do so reluctantly. Many issues related to autism stand in the way of social interaction, including things such as an aversion to unfamiliar people and unfamiliar situations, extreme sensitivity to touch or sounds, disinterest in other people, or a tendency toward [...]
Gardening is an enjoyable pastime for people of all ages and all levels of ability. As spring approaches, teachers, family members, and therapists of individuals with autism may want to consider introducing their friends to the incredible world of gardening. Listen Now:
Some individuals with autism will strike out on their own after graduating from high school and others will need some help to live semi-independently. Others will need significant support and may choose to live at home. We are continuing the discussion about making plans to ease that transition from “high school student” to “young adult.” [...]
In May and June, thousands of individuals with autism will graduate from high school and begin a new phase in life. Just as with all high school graduates, some of these youngsters will go to college, some will embark on careers, and some will eventually get married and have families. Some of our friends with [...]
How can a teacher help a non-verbal 5-year-old diagnosed with autism learn to participate in group activities in a pre-school class? Currently, the youngster seems content playing with certain toys or working alone in learning centers in the classroom. When asked to come to the group activity, he responds with screaming, kicking, and biting. Among [...]
Part 1 of the Circle Time discussion outlined all aspects of a challenging situation submitted by a teacher of a pre-school class of children with special needs. Today’s podcast focuses on some possible solutions to the problems surrounding circle time in her classroom. The immediate goal is to decrease emotional melt-downs by a 5-year-old diagnosed [...]
