FAQautismFAQautismFAQautism features concise, practical tips that can implemented immediately to make a lasting impact on the quality of life of individuals with autism. 
Articles
Social Insights
2008-04-29 06:01:00 A high school student who is diagnosed with autism sends e-mails every week or so with observations about her life and the lives of several friends with autism compared to other high school students in her school and family. One topic that is of great interest to this young lady is that of social interaction. ... More About: Social , Communication , Quality of Life , Insights
Copycats
2008-04-28 06:01:00 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 ...
Private Chauffeur
2008-04-25 06:01:00 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, ... More About: Private
Grown Son
2008-04-24 06:01:00 A mom of a 30-year-old son newly diagnosed with autism wrote to an autism forum at About.com asking for some suggestions for addressing conflict arising from her son?s history of poor self-responsibilities and poor money management. This young man and his mom are dealing with issues similar to those encountered every day by a number ... More About: Grown
Dating Parents 2
2008-04-23 06:01:00 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 ... More About: Communication , Dating , Quality of Life , Parents
Dating Parents 1
2008-04-22 16:25:00 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 ... More About: Communication , Dating , Quality of Life , Parents
Shaping Behavior
2008-04-18 06:01:00 By its very nature, autism spans a vast array of issues. Each person diagnosed with autism deals with a unique mixture of strengths and limitations. There is no single approach or type of intervention that works for every person. In fact, a strategy that works for an individual one day may be ineffective for that ... More About: Behavior
Adult Diagnosis
2008-04-17 06:01:00 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, ... More About: Quality of Life , Adult , Diagnosis
Ten Step Program
2008-04-16 06:01:00 In my work as a music therapist since 1974, I?ve had the privilege of working with dozens and dozens of individuals with autism and their families. I?ve known some of my friends for over thirty years, walking side by side as they have encountered difficult challenges and heartbreaks as well as joyful moments. These experiences ... More About: Program , Step
Ripping Books
2008-04-15 06:01:00 Reading aloud and sitting side by side while looking through magazines are great ways for people to connect with others. But some individuals with autism, both children and adults, tend to grab and tear the pages of books and magazines. Short of removing all books and magazines from a person?s life, how can we prevent ... More About: Books
Inside Info
2008-04-14 06:01:00 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 ... More About: Info , Quality of Life , Inside
Helping Others
2008-04-11 06:01:00 For a variety of reasons, some individuals with autism display explosive, and potentially harmful behavior. Some resort to hitting, biting, and screaming to communicate their displeasure. In some cases, it is very difficult to determine the source of their anger or frustration, so our failure to respond to their needs just escalates the situation. And, ...
Explosive Behavior
2008-04-10 06:01:00 For a variety of reasons, some individuals with autism display explosive, and potentially harmful behavior. Some resort to hitting, biting, and screaming to communicate their displeasure. In some cases, it is very difficult to determine the source of their anger or frustration, so our failure to respond to their needs just escalates the situation. And, ... More About: Behavior
Unwritten Group Rules
2008-04-09 07:01:00 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: or continue ... More About: Rules , Group
Group Skills
2008-04-08 07:01:00 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 ... More About: Skills , Group
Safety ID
2008-04-07 07:01:00 Individuals with autism who need some assistance in an emergency situation will usually have someone close by to help in the event of an unexpected disaster such as a fire, storm, car wreck, or earthquake. But the possibility of separation always exists, so we should consider the options for a safety ID in the event ... More About: Safety , Communication , Quality of Life
Maintaining Dignity
2008-04-04 07:01:00 Although we do not intend to be disrespectful, our words or actions occasionally step on the toes of other people. It would probably be a good idea for all of us to take a close look at our interactions with our friends with autism. Sometimes we need to make some adjustments in our conversations or ... More About: Quality of Life , Dignity
Spring Garden
2008-04-03 07:01:00 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: or continue reading Start with looking through seed catalogs or gardening magazines to introduce the ... More About: Communication , Garden , Spring , Quality of Life
Assumptions About Intelligence
2008-04-02 07:01:00 Some individuals diagnosed with autism are not able to talk. When we meet a person who is non-verbal, we tend to make assumptions about their intelligence. A recent post on a prestigious website about autism even asked this question: ?Are non-verbal people with autism intellectually capable?? Because the inability to talk can be a result ... More About: Communication , Intelligence , Quality of Life , Assumptions
After Graduation Part 2
2008-04-01 07:01:00 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.? ... More About: Quality of Life , Graduation , Part
After Graduation Part 1
2008-03-31 07:01:00 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 ... More About: Quality of Life , Graduation , Part
Pack a Bag
2008-03-28 06:01:00 Before heading out for a spring break trip or a weekend at Grandma?s house, take a look at some of these ideas for personalized travel bags. These tried-and-true ideas have helped decrease travel anxiety for individuals with autism and their families, so you might want to give them a try. Listen Now: or More About: Pack
Circle Time-Part 3
2008-03-27 06:01:00 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 ... More About: Time , Part , Circle , Part 3
Circle Time-Part 2
2008-03-26 06:01:00 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 ... More About: Part
Circle Time-Part 1
2008-03-25 06:01:00 A pre-school teacher of over a dozen young students with special needs asked for some ideas for decreasing disruptions during circle time in her classroom. Of particular concern is the behavior of a 5-year-old diagnosed with autism. ?When teachers attempt to have him follow the daily routine on his picture schedule and come to circle ... More About: Time , Part , Circle
Differing Opinions
2008-03-24 06:01:00 A teacher wrote asking for some ideas for helping deal with differing opinions among colleagues about the best approach for helping a 5-year-old diagnosed with autism learn to participate in group activities. The teacher has developed a strategy, but a co-teacher and a therapist are wanting to implement very different strategies for helping decrease disruptive ... More About: Opinions
Obsessing About Obsessions
2008-03-20 06:01:00 Flapping hands. Rocking. Ehoing phrases or words. Repeating sequences of numbers or letters. Humming. Murmuring. Spinning objects. Playing with threads or strings. Tapping or slapping objects. Chewing on hair or fingernails. Talking about one person or topic repetitively. Insisting on the same food or clothing or daily routine. These are among the long list of ...
Living at Home
2008-03-19 06:01:00 After graduation from high school, some individuals with autism will choose to live at home with their families. Some will get jobs or go to college, and others will need significant daily support. What are some factors families can consider to help maximize the well-being and potential of individuals with autism who require significant support? ... More About: Living , Home
Remove Temptation
2008-03-18 06:01:00 Sometimes the solution to a problem is right in front of our eyes. For example, if I cannot resist eating chocolate bars as a late night snack, the most logical solution is to keep chocolate bars out of the house. Likewise, if a toddler with autism swallows earrings and paperclips, those objects must be stored ... More About: Temptation
Typical Teens
More articles from this author:2008-03-17 06:01:00 Parents and teachers express concerns when youngsters with autism start behaving differently and disrespecting authority when they hit adolescence. From the opposite perspective, teens with autism have written to FAQautism.com or commented about parents who criticize them at every turn. Although factors unique to autism may magnify the problems, the fact remains that conflict ... More About: Teens 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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