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| FAQ's with Author
and Speaker, Karen Leigh Simmons |
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| Subject: aspergers
syndrome |
 Question
- Ms. Simmons, My 5 1/2 year
old son seems a bit eccentric but definitely
not autistic. I'm wondering if he could have
high functioning asperger's syndrome. He makes
eye contact especially when speaking but often
answers questions without looking at the person
speaking to him. He's spontaneously affectionate
but a bit awkward with his peers (he tends
to copy them or play along side them instead
of directly with them).His speech is fine
but he didn't start speaking until 2 1/2.
He picks up non verbal cues, he is flexible
and doesn't throw tantrums. He does get really
"into" certain things like the color
blue, flowers, cars, long sleeved shirts.
His fine motor skills are delayed, he has
little interest in writing or coloring. He
doesn't do anything repetetive like licking
doorknobs or pacing. I wonder if he's just
a little eccentric or if there is a problem.
If there is a problem what would be the benefit
of getting a diagnosis? I'm not interested
in drugs and worry about him getting "labeled".
What do you think?
Sonja
Answer
- Dear Sonja, Often children with Asperger's
Syndrome (a type of autism) display as being
eccentric. I understand your concern regarding
the labeling aspect, however, it is my humble
opinion that you should have him checked
out by a professional in this field anyway.
The window of time that is open to offer
the most supports for your son are when
he is younger. The purpose of getting a
label is only to be able to know what your
dealing with and what early intervention
strategies to apply towards his development.
Also, others involved with his development
will be on the same page. A label doesn't
hurt unless it is misused.
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| Subject: Creative
Activities |
Question
- Hello my name is Christopher Thomas,
I am a 17 year-old student from the United
Kingdom, and I am studying AVCE Health &
Social Care.
For Unit 13: Creative Activities of my coursework
I have to help a particular group of people
participate in a creative activity, the group
of people I helped were a class of people
from a local state of the art multi-million
pound centre called Trinity Fields, the pupils
who attend Trinity Fields experience severe,
profound and complex learning difficulties.
The pupils at the centre suffer from a variety
of disorders including Down's syndrome, Autism,
Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy.
As part of my coursework I have to ‘analyse
the major advantages to the client of participating
in creative activities'. In your opinion what
would you say the advantages would be?
(By creative activities I mean things such
as painting, cooking, gardening, making music
etc)
Thank you very much for your time, I do hope
you are able to help me!
Christopher Thomas
Answer - Hi
Christopher, Some advantages would include
an increased familiarity with surroundings,
sensory stimulation, life skills, social
skills, communication skills and relaxation
therapy. These creative activites are good
for everybody and also wonderful in building
resiliency with environment.
Visit: http://www.autismtoday.com
for more autism related information. Hope
this helps
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| Subject: what's appropriate
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Question
- Hi my 7 year old son is high functioning
autistic, according to "experts".
I probably am afraid to face up to the facts.
He is on a baseball team, and sometimes at
games he cries. Are we wrong to put him on
sports teams? Kindergarten soccer was ok,
but he would cry when the other team scored.
First grade soccer there was a boy who would
hit and kick him purposely, and now he does
the same to this child who is also in his
first grade class, and to other children he
perceives as unfriendly to him. In baseball,
he doesn't get all finer points yet, and isn't
all that talented at it. Should I have him
in stuff like gymnastics and swimming? Don't
get me wrong, I'm not looking to have him
fulfill my expectations, I just want him to
learn to live in the world with other kids.
He is 100% mainstreamed in first grade, with
a little resource help and speech 2x week.
He has language processing disablity, has
trouble focusing in class and easily frustrated.
Would having a full time aide help him with
these problems? Just looking for another opinion.
Thank you.
Sydni
Answer - Facing
up to the facts is of utmost importance,
Sydni. We should count our blessings that
our children can play baseball, swim and
go to gymnastics. My Jonathan too is a high
functioning autistic out to set the world
on fire. In many ways, it is harder for
us and them due to the invisibleness of
the disability.
I know other kids are mean, especially at
this age, and the abuse our kids take at
times is harder on us as parents than we
ever feel comfortable to admit. I never
want my Jonny to feel hurt at the end of
some smart ass bully's emotional gun. It
hurts so much. However, these school settings
are merely microcosm's of life itself and
as parents we have to sort of close our
eyes and let go. They have to experience
the pain to grow past it.
Enough rambling, what I am trying to say
is that we need to get our autistic high
functioning kids in as much mainstream activity
as they can possibly bear. It will buffer
them for REAL life, once they get out in
the REAL world. It is what will help them
succeed long term in the long run, in spite
of the pain.
I think you are on the right pathway, Sydni.
He will get the finer points eventually.
My Jonny is. I think your child must be
too though he may not demonstrate it yet.
Best of luck to you.
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| Subject: speech problems |
Question
- Hello, My 3 year old autistic son is
beginning to speak a few words (he tries to
imitate the words and sounds that we use)
but he says them only in the house. He becomes
very quiet when he steps out of the house.
How should I make him speak and use the words
even when he is out of the house?
Thanks and regards
Sethu
Answer - Hi
Sethu, I didn't have this problem with Jonny
but what I would encourage you to do is
model talking in front of him constantly.
This should help him pick up speech. You
can also use a resource called Teach Me
Language www.exceptionalresources.com.
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| Subject: Asperger's
and my son |
Question
- hello, i'm Melinda Hobbs and I have a
5 year old son named Jordan, And the doctors
think he might be a high funtioning autistic
or have aspergers. But I have been on the
internet and have read some symtems of this
and i really dont see a whole lot with my
son,he is going to have a mmr and a eeg done
to see if their is anything , but Jordan is
a happy , very affectionate ,smart child,
he has no problems except his lanuage skills.At
4 he had to get tubes put in his ears do to
very frequnt ear infections and the doctors
said his ears were so filled with fluid that
it was like he was listening under water.
But I really noticed is when I got him into
preschool, he would'nt fellow directions,
he was very disrupted , unless I was there.
Now he in PPI and going into kiddy garden
and its a little scary. Im alittle worried
what his future might bring.I have some people
saying that he is autistic and some are saying
that the hold back is due to his ears and
very high fever(106)And the doctor is conserned
about my son having a big head..which isnt
huge or disformed in any way ,in fact he has
a head like my brother. But it is so fustrating
trying to find info and there is not a whole
lot availible. Also my son has been tested
for the fragile x syndrome and that came out
negative. Could you give me some symtems and
advice on this subject?
Thankyou for your time ,
Melinda Hobbs
Answer - Hi
Melinda,
I would check with your local autism society
to ask where they would recommend him going.
They are the ones who can guide you to your
local networks.
also visit: www.autismtoday.com
good luck
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| Subject: challenging
behaviours |
Question
- Dear Karen, My son Hari-6 years old has
been diagnosed with high functioning autism.
He attends a school for children with learning
disabilities and is progressing well.
the problem is- he does not like to hear the
word"no".He starts hitting, punching,
kicking---.How do I explain to him that he
cannot go for a picnic everyday or eat as
many choclates as he wants? There is a big
scene everytime i deny himanything.sometimes
i say i will allow it later or after he has
done aspecified task.Butthis does not work
everytime.HELP.
lakshmi
Answer - I had
the same problem with my "non special
needs" kid. She thought when I said
no, it meant nose and pointed to her nose!
No seriously, you need to set the ground
rule that to not understand the word no
is "Not" an option. The behavior
is what you need to work on. There are many
tools for dealing with behavior. One of
my favorites is: A Treasure Chest of Behavioral
Strategies you can find it at: www.exceptionalresources.com
thanks.
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