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Autism/Asperger Info

N Phx Network Needs

1. This is probably a misunderstood kid-give him/her the break they need by trying to understand them.

2. Even though this child has a neurological disorder/disability, it presents itself as a social disorder predominantly. This means he/she may not be able to make friends like others and feels more at ease alone since it is work to understand the social world they are in. For them to succeed in life, though, they must learn the social world and cannot be allowed to retreat from it. Teach them what to do right when you see them doing something wrong. Be specific. Some are brutally honest and don’t realize they have said something “mean.”  Just tell them that what they said was not nice and give them the right words instead. They are social misfits and feel more at ease talking with adults who appreciate their often large language skills (vocabulary) more than children their own age, but they need the support of friendship from their peers to be happy in life.

3. Many, many kids are misdiagnosed with ADHD or just considered a behavior problem and have gone undiagnosed completely. Regardless, if you notice many of the signs, it may help to use some of these guides to help them anyway.

4. Many have sensory issues-just means they may need soft clothes (touch), or they may cover their ears because the sounds to them sound louder and bother them (hearing) or the fluorescent lighting bothers their eyes because it flickers a lot (visual). Everyone is different so ask the parents what to do. Many do get used to or sensitized to these sensory issues.

5. Many have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Mostly this means they get “stuck” on a particular topic or thing and talk or play with it excessively. Use their passion for whatever this is to motivate them to do what they need to do (and then they can do or play with what they want ie their obsession). Many like ceiling fans, light switches, water draining, doors or drawers opening and closing, and generally things that go around or spin. They love to collect things and learn great amounts of information on their favored topic. Talk to them about it.

6. There are many degrees or levels to how well they function-often dependent on how much intervention and help they have gotten, etc. If they see a Developmental Pediatrician early, often by age 3, and begin therapies, their outcome is much improved.

7. Most of these kids are just misunderstood and it causes them a high level of frustration and anxiety.

8. There are a few who are particularly deviant and aggressive, and these children need to be supervised more closely. I believe this is the exception rather than the rule.

9. They often are not motivated by the things typical children are motivated by-find out from them or their parents what they really want or like.

 

· pupils with Asperger syndrome have great problems with mechanical learning and detest “regimented learning”

· autodidact (somebody who has acquired a great deal of knowledge despite little or no formal education)

· pessimism

· sense of absolutes-lacked ability to compromise

· eccentricity

· fearlessness and risk taking-“seem to have no sense of guilt or of danger”

· righteousness, deeply compassionate and easily outraged by injustices

· uncompromising logical approach to life

· very strong political views politically which are totally black and white without any shades of grey

· believe in saying what they think, seeing no point in sugaring the pill, just spit out everything they think with no thought even if it deeply offends and upsets others

· limited use of gestures and clumsy body language

· limited and inappropriate facial expression as well as a peculiar and stiff gaze

· workaholic, with their work often their obsession these special interests may help the person with AS to find his or her way in the world)

· enormous ability to concentrate on their work for long periods of time, high levels of motivation and perseverance even in adversarial circumstances

· brilliant memory

· extraordinary eye for details/fantastic observer-see things others do not-their ability of ordering facts into a system, superior at determining which aspects of a task are of specific relevance and which are not, extremely analytic mind

· collecting instinct-many famous Aspies-ie Darwin-were collecting as young children and later began categorizing their collections

 

· voracious reader (re: Patricia Highsmith-“the mere thought that she was alone and surrounded by books gave her a near sensuous thrill”)

· terrible sense of direction

· egocentric in the extreme, follow their own wishes, interests and spontaneous impulses, without considering restrictions imposed from outside

· lack of empathy

· some have violent outbursts-describing Joy Adamson who wrote Born Free “Joy could provoke an angel.” Severe aggressive and malicious behavior are often reactions caused by “failure and frustration in the practical matters of life.” Another explanation for this is impaired executive function abilities resulting in deficient inhibitory systems to control their actions.

· high level of mood and related disorders (in the author’s small sample)-depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia and schizoid personality disorder. Traditional insight oriented psychoanalytic psychotherapy is not recommended and they benefit more from treatments which emphasize a cognitive psychoanalytic perspective. Also, supportive counseling directed towards practical real-life problems such as social skills training with emphasis on theory of mind. It is possible that affective and stress disorders are the result of the social difficulties individuals with AS experience and their awareness of being different from others.

· even as adults, often exhibit a childlike naiveté, a sort of arrested development

many are obsessed with long walks

· artistic creativity- curiosity and originality of thought

· problems with sexual identity, some prone to promiscuity to fill emptiness and others at the other extreme with weak sex drives

· strong ambitions, demanding, sometimes called a control freak, sense of entitlement

· lack of empathy bordering on cruelty and maliciousness

· pursuit of own interest to the neglect of others

 

……..……………….........Traits associated with AS………………….…………..

· above average or even superior IQ

· specific cognitive style

· more object centered than people centered

· very accurate at perceiving details, good eye for detail

· strong but narrow interests

· superior in systemizing, e.g. maths, engineering, music, mechanical understanding, computer, science

· creativity/originality-literature, music, inventions, science, linguistics

· excellent memory (good rote memory skills)

· savant abilities/giftedness

· strong focus of attention

1. They should be doing what the other kids are doing. They will want to be alone and looking at other things. Don’t let them be alone.

2. They are “brutally honest.” They do not understand the social implications of saying something that is true but can be hurtful. Teach them the right way to say things.

3. Many have ADHD and/or ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder) too. They will have trouble staying on task and may want to do something over and over again (OCD part). Some OCD things are good and some are bad. If their obsession is harmless, use it to motivate or reward.

4. They may have trouble with their voice volume-they can’t help it. Just remind them as often as possible.

5. They may take a while to answer or not be able to get the words out at all-give them time to, and if they cannot, you can try to help them with their thoughts.

6. They have trouble intruding on others personal space. telling them to leave an arm’s space between them and others usually works.

7. They are lacking executive function, which is some of the common sense things we take for granted. They may put two socks on one foot and other things that without knowing , you may think was deliberate.

8. They are lacking something called “theory of mind” that is where you understand what others may be thinking or feeling. This leads them to appear self centered, but it is not their fault. Teach them empathy-it can be taught.

9. They often have great memories, so if you teach them a rule, they usually remember it. Rules are their friends. They like things to be orderly and routine.

10. They typically love music.

11. Being authoritative is upsetting to them, but being consistent works. Yelling, loud voices, not listening to what they are saying-don’t work.

12. They DO NOT like change. Warn them or prepare them in advance for what will be coming. The more time, the better.

 

·  ADHD-attention deficit disorders

· OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder)

· ODD-oppositional defiant disorder-aggressive and defies rules and adult’s requests

· Apraxia or verbal dyspraxia speech (receptive language is good but problem with expressive language-can’t get the words out)

· Dyspraxia (co-ordination problems)

· Hyperlexia (learn to read early without being taught)

· Tics (including Trichotillomania-pulling  hair, eyelashes,eyebrows, lips,etc)

· Body spatial issues (invade other’s personal space, run into people, get too close))

· Executive dysfunction (organizing, planning-do they put two socks on one foot?)

 

 

 

Co-existing conditions ((symptoms sometimes associated with Asperger’s)

Gifts Associated with AS

What you need to know:

The rules for our AS kids: