Posts tagged autism spectrum disorder
An Iceberg: The Autism Files by Special Guest Gabrielle Bryden
Jul 21st
My son Michael has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and would be described as high functioning. Some people ask ‘what is high functioning – does that mean he’s super intelligent?’
No, this is not what it means and I think ‘higher functioning autism’ is a better descriptor. Autism is on a spectrum from less severe to severe. The ASDs fall under the umbrella classification of Pervasive Developmental Disorders – that means the disorder affects a great many aspects of the person’s life and functioning.
It is important to remember that autism is:
PERVASIVE
When Michael began speech therapy at the age of More >
Why Emergency Responder Education – Part I
Aug 30th
My son was 18 months old. He was standing next to my bed, humming, as I was folding laundry and separating the piles. Then he walked out. In the time it took me to fold a pair of jeans, this child had walked to the other end of the house, found my keys, figured out which one was the car key (!), went outside, opened the trunk, and climbed in. NO EXAGGERATION.
Around that same time period, I remember driving to an errand, both kids in the back seat, and glanced in my rear view mirror with horror to see my More >
Social Skills Tips from Special Guest Sue Diamond
May 22nd
Children who present with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and language and learning disabilities tend to have issues with social skills (pragmatic language). They want to interact, join in, play, converse, and have friends. However, many times they are isolated and ostracized by their peers because they miss social cues. They may not use eye contact appropriately or nod their head to show understanding or interest.
Choosing appropriate questions for a topic and maintaining the conversation may be very difficult and cause for social anxiety. The topics they do initiate can be limited with either excessive verbiage or limited More >
