From a mother of an Aspie Deaf Autreat 2006 Camp Lakodia Madison, SD Janet S' Weinstock April, 2006

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From a mother of an AspieDeaf Autreat 2006Camp
Lakodia Madison, SDJanet S. WeinstockApril,
2006
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Quotable Quote to Ponder

• The past is a source of knowledge, and the
  future is a source of hope.
• Love of the past implies faith in the future.
• -Stephen Ambrose (1936 - 2002), in Fast
  Company

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PREVIEW ACTIVITY List stupidest things people
said about your Autistic child.
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Janets List

• Your child looks normal. Your child does not
  look autistic.
• You and your spouse have college degrees so there
  is no way your child is autistic.
• I dont believe that your child has Aspergers
  Syndrome. Your child is really bright. There is
  no way your child has A.S.
• Aspie? OH that is not a nice nickname.
• Asperger is not autism. It is just different.
• Your child is genius or gifted. They are usually
  strange. That is expected.
• You should force your child to eat the same food
  you eat.
• Your child signs funny. Why?

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All about Jamie

• Appearance
• Clothing
• Developmental Stages
• Education
• Food
• Language
• Meals
• Obsessions
• Physical
• Routines
• Socialization

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• Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a
  neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese
  physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a
  paper which described a pattern of behaviors in
  several young boys who had normal intelligence
  and language development, but who also exhibited
  autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies
  in social and communication skills. In spite of
  the publication of his paper in the 1940's, it
  wasn't until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was
  added to the DSM IV and only in the past few
  years has AS been recognized by professionals and
  parents.
• Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of
  characteristics and the disorder can range from
  mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked
  deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties
  with transitions or changes and prefer sameness.
  They often have obsessive routines and may be
  preoccupied with a particular subject of
  interest. They have a great deal of difficulty
  reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very
  often the individual with AS has difficulty
  determining proper body space. Often overly
  sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights,
  the person with AS may prefer soft clothing,
  certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or
  lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's
  important to remember that the person with AS
  perceives the world very differently. Therefore,
  many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due
  to those neurological differences and not the
  result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior,
  and most certainly not the result of "improper
  parenting".
• By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and
  many individuals (although not all), exhibit
  exceptional skill or talent in a specific area.
  Because of their high degree of functionality and
  their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed as
  eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of
  teasing and bullying. While language development
  seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with
  AS often have deficits in pragmatics and prosody.
  Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some
  children sound like "little professors." However,
  persons with AS can be extremely literal and have
  difficulty using language in a social context.
• http//www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.htm
  l

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• Autism Awareness Unlocking the PuzzleAutism
  afflicts 4.5 out of 10,000 children. It's been
  attributed to genetics, and some even suspect
  early childhood vaccinations. While families look
  for answers both inside and outside of the
  conventional medicine, they're taking control of
  Autism on their own terms. They're empowering
  themselves while raising awareness and research
  funds with Autism products.
• http//www.cafepress.com/buy/autismawareness?CMP
  20060406thewire

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• According to statistics from the U.S. Department
  of Education and other governmental agencies,
  autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17
  percent per year. At this rate, ASA estimates
  that the prevalence of autism could reach 4
  million Americans in the next decade.
• (www.autism-society.org)

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Why is this so? Everyone wants to know. Someone
seems to know. Others seem not to know. The
fact remains no one knows for sure.
Solution? Deal with thisbe awarebe
knowledgeable
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CCEPTANCE

• Use Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross model of the 5
  stage
• grief model which is a guide to the stages a
  dying or
• grieving person goes through before accepting
  death
• to reach the stage of acceptance of your childs
• Autism.
• denial
• anger
• bargaining
• depression or disappointment
• acceptance

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Expect to go through different stages before you
reach the stage of acceptance. It is okay to
deny the fact that your child is autistic. It is
okay to suspect it may be so for a while. Most
of the time, it is the parents who suspect their
child is different from others. Find the right
persons to help guide you through the stages.
Just dont wait too long. Accept that your child
is autistic. Once you accept the fact, it is
easier to go through the subsequent steps in
helping your child succeed in life. Keep in mind
your child is and will always be different than
his or her peers. Be aware of what is offered
and what is possible. Just dont have
expectations that are too high or youd end up
being disappointed. Instead, be hopeful and be
positive.
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NITY Who? Mainly, YOU! Your spouse/partner,
your family, your relatives, your program, your
school, your doctor, and your therapist are your
support system. Do not expect everyone to
understand what you are feeling or going through.
If you have not articulated your thoughts,
feelings, and opinions, you wont get the support
you desire, expect, or want. The more united
you are, the easier it will be on you and your
child. Urge your support system to be informed.
Teamwork is the key ingredient. Just dont get
confused. Get your facts straight. Do NOT be
frightened by the so-called experts. They dont
always know everything. They have not lived with
your child 24/7. Stick to what you believe in as
long as they are realistic. It has to be
something you can deal with and live with.
Connect with people who share your experiences,
preferably someone who has already been there.
Then, as your child gets older, be a mentor to
newer parents of autistic child.
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RUST

• Trust yourself as the chosen parent of this
  special child. You are this childs parent for a
  particular reason. Trust yourself. When in
  doubt, ask. When still in doubt, find out.
  Read Discussdo not expect anyone to have the
  answer you hope to get. No one is THE only
  expert. No one has THE answer. Trust yourself.
  You are the one with the experience raising your
  child who is autistic.

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NFORMATION

• Be informed. Be informative. Be the individual
  with the right information. Be wary of false
  expectations. Be wary of guarantees. Be wary of
  individuals who make promises they cannot keep.
  Read articles, books, journals. Surf the
  Internet. Join organizations. Subscribe to
  newsletters. Check what makes your child click.
  
• April is National Autism Awareness Month.

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UPPORT

• Find a good support system immediately. Take
  time off to be by yourself. Find a reliable and
  reputable babysitter. Find someone who
  empathizes with you. Avoid and ignore someone
  who is judgmental and makes inappropriate
  comments. Obtain support to get social skill
  therapy for your child as soon as possible.
  Find an understanding and tolerant peer who are
  younger or older.

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ATERIALS

• Your child is in a world of his or her own.
  Find activities, games, toys, clothes, furniture,
  and materials that make your child feel at ease.
  Support your childs possible interest and
  skill.

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Quotation to ponder

• Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not
  back again. Wisely improve the present. It is
  thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future,
  without fear.
• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• (1807 - 1882)
• American poet, educator, linguist

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RESOURCES

• Attwood, Tony. (1998) Aspergers Syndrome a
  guide for parents and professionals. London
  Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Grandin, Temple (1995) Thinking in Pictures my
  life with autism. NY Vintage Books.