Sick Neck
This will be a very brief podcast because I have actually lost my voice. But take a minute to listen, because I have two quick stories to tell you.
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Good Night
Family members frequently bring up the issue of problems at bedtime with their youngsters diagnosed with autism. “All my kids resist going to bed,” commented one mom. “But my son with autism explodes every evening, and doesn’t calm down until after midnight. Our whole family is suffering.” Other parents mention resistance to bedtime, ranging from explosive outbursts and emotional meltdowns to a stubborn resistance to following directions.
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Building Tolerance
Some individuals with autism are extremely resistant to change. Meltdowns often occur when they encounter a change in routine or food or clothing or other aspects of their daily lives. Although we might be bored with the same, predictable routine every minute of every day, we need to acknowledge that resistance to change is a natural characteristic of autism. At the same time, it might be good to help our friends learn to tolerate change because the real world does not allow for a steady, unchanging routine every day of their lives.
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Adult Blankies
As their youngsters with autism graduate from high school, parents look for ways to help them transition into the world of adulthood. Among other things, they look for appropriate security objects. One of my friends calls these items “adult blankies” in reference to the tattered baby blanket her son carried around until it literally shredded apart. To ward off emotional outbursts that would result from the absence of his old faithful comfort object, she came up with a creative replacement for his disappearing blankie.
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Moderating Obsessions
Having an excellent memory and being able to recall sequences are gifts that can certainly be useful. But some individuals with autism who have exceptional memories can become obsessed with a sequence or a script. Their obsession may need some attention if it interferes with their willingness or ability to interact with other people or the world around them.
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Getting Organized
“I have this bad habit of just putting my papers crammed in my backpack,” wrote a high school student diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. “I have lots of trouble keeping my papers together and in the right folders.” She says she ends up with a frustrating mess at the end of the day.
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Graduation Disaster
Graduation ceremonies are challenging for all participants, even the most compliant, flexible high school senior. Many individuals with autism are able to wait patiently, maintain acceptable behavior, and blend in with their “typical” classmates. But what are our choices if we anticipate a graduating senior with autism will disrupt the graduation ceremonies?
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I Like Loud
Some of our friends with autism have rather extreme sensitivities to loud sounds, causing them to become very agitated or to have an emotional meltdown in noisy situations. But, some individuals with autism actually thrive in loud environments. Why the difference?
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Changing Diapers
This discussion about the words we use when talking to our children with autism came to mind when a mom said to her 6-year-old daughter, “Let’s go change your diaper” as the youngster and her classmates were gathering for a field trip.
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Patient Dad
I read a funny anecdote that describes one aspect of the lives of parents, teachers, and other people involved in the daily lives of individuals with autism. Did you hear the story about Donald?
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Bubblegum
Occasionally our friends with autism are somewhat removed from their surroundings – sitting aside from others, self-absorbed in their own stimming and repetitive scripts. How can we encourage connections and interaction? Try bubblegum. Bubblegum?!?
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Hitting, Part 2
In this, the second half of a discussion about the aggressive behavior of some youngsters with autism, we will take a brief look at possible causes for our friends suddenly and unexpectedly striking out to hit, scratch, pinch, or bite other people.
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Hitting, Part 1
It can come out of nowhere. In spite of our implementing pro-active strategies for decreasing aggressive behaviors, some youngsters with autism occasionally reach out suddenly, impulsively hitting, biting, pinching, or scratching anyone in reach. What causes these abrupt, hurtful actions?
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Less Dependent, Part 2
Behavior Issues Caregiver Support Communication Daily Living Skills Health and Nutrition Rituals and Routines Social Skills
Decreasing dependence on others is a challenge, especially when our friends with autism are unwilling to become more self-reliant, or if they have difficulty learning new skills or new routines. Under these circumstances, how can we encourage and teach a person to be less dependent?
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Less Dependent, Part 1
Behavior Issues Caregiver Support Communication Daily Living Skills Rituals and Routines Social Skills
Why do some individuals with autism need a great deal of assistance with basic care? Whey is it that some people with autism who are very capable in other areas need ongoing supervision and support just to take care of daily living tasks?
Seniors, 2010
Caregiver Support Communication Daily Living Skills Quality of Life Rituals and Routines Social Skills
It is hard to believe that some of our youngsters with autism are getting ready to walk across the stage in cap and gown in a few weeks. It seems like just yesterday they were toddlers. Time flies. How can we help our high school graduates transition to life in the “real world?”
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Emergency Evacuation
Some of our faithful FAQautism.com followers live in parts of the world where earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, and even civil unrest or war can lead to unexpected emergency evacuations. What would you grab in the event you and your youngster with autism were required to suddenly leave your home?
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Effective Teaching, Part 2
We are continuing our conversation based on a clever quote by novelist Gail Godwin. What are some of the factors that allow us to teach individuals with autism effectively?
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Effective Teaching, Part 1
Behavior Issues Caregiver Support Communication Personal Interaction Quality of Life Rituals and Routines
Although she was writing about traditional classroom education, American novelist and short story writer Gail Godwin articulated the essence of an effective strategy for teaching many individuals with autism when she wrote, “Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.” Preparation and theater are definitely important. Are there other keys to effective teaching?
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Teen Drama
Behavior Issues Caregiver Support Communication Personal Interaction Rituals and Routines Social Skills
Adolescent girls can be rather dramatic when responding to issues and events in their lives. How about teens with autism? Although it may appear on the surface that our young ladies with autism are not as emotional and reactive, we might want to closely explore the tie between their emotions and their behavior.
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