Are there behaviors that are seen in girls with Aspergers, but not in boys, that we haven’t yet identified as part of the profile… or certain gender-related behavior that might fool us into ruling out the diagnosis? What about the “pretend play” that has been observed in many young girls at our center, which on the surface appears to be quite creative and imaginative?

There seem to be many girls (on the spectrum) who are enamored with princesses, fantasy kingdoms, unicorns, and animals­­. How many diagnosticians observe these interests and skills as imagination, and rule out a diagnosis based on these behaviors? Might this interest in imaginary kingdoms and talking animals be more common among girls than boys, yet still exist alongside other autistic/AS traits?

And what about one typical response to confusion or frustration­­–hitting or other such outward expressions of frustration? Does this type of acting out occur more often in boys with autism than in girls? Is confusion or frustration simply easier to identify in boys than girls because we already look for it?

Among the general population, it is commonly thought that boys do “act out” more than girls. (You sometimes hear teachers complain there are too many boys in his or her class, and its impact on the class’ personality!) Is it easier to identify boys as having autism because these behaviors are more obvious, than girls who may experience inward or passive signs of aggression?

Professionals whose task it is to diagnose individuals with autism or Asperger’s need to learn more about the full range of qualities and personality differences unique to girls and women on the spectrum.

And what about the girls’ and women’s route to self-understanding? Indeed, several women I have worked with who have Aspergers have talked about the unique challenges they experience because they constitute a “minority” within this special group of society.

I believe that in order to gain self understanding, each person with – or without – autism needs to see his or her own reflection in the world. I call this ‘seeing one’s place.’ For people with autism or AS, who already are challenged in this area, it becomes imperative that they meet, listen to, talk with, read about, and learn from others with autism. What happens as a result of this coming together is that they are able to see their ‘reflection’ and better understand their own unique styles of thinking and being. Women with autism, although benefiting greatly from getting to know other people with autism, often find that they might be the only woman (or one of a very few women) in the group.

Read more…

Learn more about Asperger’s Syndrome at “Making Friends & Managing Feelings” with Dr. Tony Attwood July 12th in Edmonton or July 14th in Toronto

EARLY BIRD RATE NOW EXTENDED for
“Making Friends & Managing Feelings” with Dr. Tony Attwood

REGISTER TODAY!

EDMONTON JULY 12TH

TORONTO JULY 14TH

Rare opportunity! Appearing in Edmonton July 12th AND Toronto July 14th 2010!

On behalf of the organizing committee of the 2010 Workshop “Making Friends & Managing Feelings”, I would like to extend an invitation to you to join us at this exciting full day event!

The workshops will be taking place in Edmonton, Alberta on July 12th 2010 at the Oasis Edmonton Conference Centre

AND the Isabel Bader Theatre Toronto, Ontario July 14th 2010

We are proud to welcome world renowned Dr. Tony Attwood, a leading expert on Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. He will focus on providing practical strategies for working with children and adults on the autism spectrum in the areas of social difficulties, emotional regulation, love, bullying, relationships, and much more.

The main focus of the conference is “How to Make Friends & Manage Feelings for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders”, which includes a social curriculum as well as information on how to implement cognitive behavioural therapy. With a spotlight on adolescence, Dr. Tony Attwood will provide numerous ideas and activities to assist individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as they traverse the complicated path from childhood to adulthood. He will provide tools to handle challenging behaviours, prevent temper outbursts, and increase social skills for all children and students.

This workshop will provide great advice and strategies to assist parents, family members, caregivers, physicians, educators, therapists, social workers, nurses, and other professionals in assisting children and adolescents in overcoming challenges, improving social understanding and relationships. This event will be very beneficial for parents and loved ones because not only will they get an incredible amount of information, they will be inspired. One of our main goals of this workshop is to give people hope and teach methods and strategies to enrich and enhance the lives of those with ASD as well as families, educators and professionals.

Visit www.AutismEdmonton.com and www.AutismToronto.com

Whether you’re a curious parent or a seasoned professional, Dr Tony Attwood’s personable approach to the Asperger’s way of thinking is very enlightening when he gives workshops. He describes numerous intriguing case examples and offers practical strategies that work for people with Asperger’s. Tony provides a diagnostic description of a person with Asperger’s. He offers a social curriculum that includes countless ideas and activities with a focus on emotion management.

Tony gives teachers great advice on how to effectively manage a classroom that includes students with Asperger’s. He offers tips for success and social/behavioral warning signs to watch for. He also shares helpful strategies for teaching adolescents with Asperger’s. Since social skills are so imperative at this age, this tends to be a particularly challenging age for students and, consequently, for teachers. You will learn how to curb anger and take preventative steps to avoid conflicts. Create a positive learning environment where ALL students thrive!

Dr. Tony Attwood also teaches how to implement cognitive behaviour therapy. This therapy helps people effectively work through their emotions by developing their ability to interpret the causes and effects of their own actions and reactions. Dr. Attwood offers important advice on: assessing emotional needs; avoiding and correcting misinterpretation of emotion; building self-esteem and improving self-awareness; managing anxiety, depression, and anger; and defining physical and social tools.

Tony Attwood explores in depth the complexity of the mysterious group of clinical pictures known collectively as Asperger’s syndrome, part of the wider autistic spectrum. He describes all the puzzling and fascinating aspects of these conditions and brings them vividly to life with illustrations from personal histories. He emphasises the fact that the individuals concerned have special skills as well as disabilities. Most important of all, he makes imaginative but always practical suggestions for helping people with the syndrome, their families and others who are involved. The author has achieved real empathic understanding of children and adults whose basic problem is a biologically based lack of empathy with others. The book is to be highly recommended for those with Asperger’s syndrome as well as for families, other carers and professionals in the field.

We are proud to welcome world renowned Dr. Tony Attwood, a leading expert on Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. He will focus on providing practical strategies for working with children and adults on the autism spectrum in the areas of social difficulties, emotional regulation, love, bullying, relationships, and much more.

Tony Attwood explores in depth the complexity of the mysterious group of clinical pictures known collectively as Asperger’s syndrome, part of the wider autistic spectrum. He describes all the puzzling and fascinating aspects of these conditions and brings them vividly to life with illustrations from personal histories.

He emphasises the fact that the individuals concerned have special skills as well as disabilities. Most important of all, he makes imaginative but always practical suggestions for helping people with the syndrome, their families and others who are involved. The author has achieved real empathic understanding of children and adults whose basic problem is a biologically based lack of empathy with others. The book is to be highly recommended for those with Asperger’s syndrome as well as for families, other carers and professionals in the field.

July 12th, 2010 – Edmonton, Alberta Early-bird Pricing Details

Group discount rates are also available for 5 or more – please call 1-780-416-4448 or Toll-free 1-866-928-8476 (866-9AUTISM)

About Dr. Tony Attwood:

I first became interested in what we now call Autism Spectrum Disorders in 1971 when I worked as a volunteer during a summer vacation at a local special school and met two young children with autism. I found their unusual behaviour quite bewildering and became determined to specialize in this area in order to understand and help children and adults with autism.

Over the intervening years I have been able to gain experience of the full range of the spectrum, from babies to the elderly and from those whose abilities and behaviour are profoundly affected to renowned university professors. I have also been able to observe the long term development of children and adults and experience working as a clinician in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, and now regularly visit North America.

My interest in Asperger’s Syndrome occurred by following the same path as Lorna Wing, namely noticing children who had the classic profile of the silent and aloof child in their pre-school years, subsequently developing fluent speech and intellectual abilities in the normal range. Yet these children still had an unusual profile of social reasoning and linguistic skills and an unusually intense interest in a specific topic.

Their profile of abilities was not adequately described by the criteria for autism as described by Leo Kanner but was consistent with the profile described by Hans Asperger. The original assumption was that such children were rare but the benefits of modern intensive early intervention programs means that this is the prognosis for a greater number of children who had classic autistic features when they were very young. An unexpected finding was that once we started to explore this section of the autistic spectrum it soon became apparent that the majority of children with Asperger’s Syndrome did not have a prior diagnosis of autism.

The characteristic profile of abilities and behaviour was not apparent until the child attended school and in this new social context and with age peers, the signs were conspicuous. Teachers and professionals also became more aware of the distinct profile that identifies the syndrome.

I started a diagnostic and treatment clinic for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome with Dr Brian Ross, Child Psychiatrist, in Brisbane in 1992. This clinic functions two days a week, the other days I support children and adults by visiting them at school and home. I also spend considerable time traveling to present workshops and papers at national and international conferences, and supervise post-graduate clinical students for clinical experience and research in the area of developmental disorders.

Dr. Tony Attwood is coming to Canada this summer!

Click here to find out more about his visit to Edmonton on July 12th 2010!

Click here to find out more about his visit to Toronto on July 24th 2010.

Temple Grandin Featured In Autism Tomorrow Book Give Away Program

Dr. Temple Grandin, the world’s most famous woman with autism, is one of 16 authors participating in a large book give away program with the new book, Autism Tomorrow: The Complete Guide To Help Your Child Thrive In The Real World at http://www.AutismTomorrow.com

Autism Today and The Center For AAC & Autism have partnered to give away the first printing of this book, written as a roadmap to the future, helping every family, teacher, caretaker, or business person who has or knows of a child with autism, help make the transition between childhood and adulthood. 

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) says that 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism, and since the mid-1980’s the numbers have increased to near epidemic proportions. Thousands of families now have a child with autism and don’t have a comprehensive manual to help their child make the transition to adulthood. Autism Tomorrow is the first complete book resource to fill that gap.

The book answers critical questions like, ‘will my child be able to work, how will my child live, how do I handle puberty and sexuality, and what are the tips I need for employment and employers? Readers discover how to plan for a financially sound future, deal with bullying, solve health, visual perception and fitness issues, help their children improve communication, social skills, communication and many more real-world concerns.

Sixteen best selling authors are featured in the book, including Temple Grandin, Karen Simmons, Bill Davis, Stephen Shore, Julie Matthews, Pat Wyman and more. Senator Mike Brubaker, member of the Autism Caucus and Children’s Health Caucus says, “Autism Tomorrow is a book that I guarantee will grab you in the first few minutes, then inform, educate and move you to a new level of understanding autism that I did not think possible…”

At Long Last!

Autism Tomorrow is Finally Here!

At long last, Autism Tomorrow: The Complete Guide To Help Your Child Thrive In The Real World book is
finally here!

We’ve been working on it for two years and every time we thought we were finished, we found exciting new material we just HAD to include.

Though April is Autism Awareness Month, we thought our children’s future deserved an entire month by itself so we’re dedicating May to Autism Tomorrow.

We know that Autism Tomorrow is a book you need today, as you design your child’s future, so we’ve created the AutismTomorrow.com blog with new content every day, and updated author information so you can comment and add your questions for any author.

You will learn about estate planning, independent living, nutrition, fitness, employment, safety, sexuality, puberty, dating, bullying, reading, social skills, communication and more…

You can find out more about Autism Tomorrow at www.AutismTomorrow.com

P.S. Be sure to go vote May as Autism Tomorrow month and sign the petition

In an ideal world, children go to school, learn, grow up and become educated and independent adults. Parents do not worry about whether their children are normal or not. They do not have children with a disability, but other parents might. It is a rude awakening to suspect your child may have a disability. Some disabilities are quite apparent and visible from the very beginning, while others are hidden and sneak up like a thief in the night. Parents must face the possibility of disabilities, and be armed with knowledge of assessment if suspect of it arises. With timely and proper intervention, a child has a greater chance of success in the real world. Many sources provide valued information for helping children and parents get on the right path, for the promise of a brighter future!

Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate and Attorney, (Wright & Darr Wright 2007), describes in significant detail case studies regarding the importance of proper testing for learning disabled children. It provides valuable information for parental concerns for children with disabilities. Testing and measuring for teachers, parents, advocates and the legal system are some main topics on this subject. Rights and testing results determine eligibility and intensity of education needed for learning disabled children. Sometimes the parents involved the legal system in if they do not feel like they are getting fair treatment for their child, but many are approaching legal action without supportive evidence or enough knowledge about interpreting test scores to back up their argument. Urgency often sets a parent in motion to blame the shortfalls in the educational program when their child fails to make adequate academic progress.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has shown promising results in the treatment of autism.  HBOT involves the breathing of pure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber – pressurized above one atmosphere absolute (ATA).

Originally utilized to treat a life-threatening condition known as the ‘bends’, in divers, its therapeutic use has expanded to include carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, osteomyelitis, and, more recently, autism.
HBOT enhances blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and mobilizes stem cells from the bone marrow.  Deficits in all of these have been implicated in the development of autism.
A typical treatment for autism consists of breathing pure oxygen for sixty minutes at 1.3 to 1.5 ATA, which corresponds to a depth of ten to seventeen feet of seawater (FSW).
A substantial majority of patients experience benefits with HBOT.   These include improvements in language, eye contact, socialization, appetite and digestion.  It can also reduce the intestinal inflammation associated with bacteria, fungus and parasites.
Current research and case studies will be presented.

Read More About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Sometimes, children with autism get upset easily because and act out in frustration of not knowing what else to do. On the outside, they appear to us to be  out of control. Sometimes it’s hard for others to understand what’s going on. When children with autism get teased it can be very frustrating, as they usually don’t  know how to express themselves or what to do when they are bullied. Deep down inside, these kids are genuine, and feel the effects of bullying.
Jonny was being bullied by the other kids on the bus one day, and just didn’t know how to handle it. He was really frustrated, so he cut the seat in the bus. Well, he was told to write an apology letter to the bus driver for cutting the seat. In this letter, Jonny’s sincerity and sensitivity really shines through

Dear Pat,

I am sorry for the seat, but I got angry because of Nicholas, because he’s annoying me sometimes (99.9% of the time he is) and he’s on the first bus I get on to go to school. He throws leftover chocolate Jello pudding (in a container with holes on the lid) at me when he’s getting off, and it gets my clothes dirty (mom doesn’t want me to wear dirty clothing). While he’s on, he and his friend gang up on me (and, occasionally, tell other big kids to do it), and they occasionally move from seat to seat to get at me! They move ahead, one pair of seats at a time, bonk me on the head, and rush back to their seat. Fortunately, his buddy had to move to the front seat. And sometimes, still in their seats, they throw assorted junk at me (jello Pudding, paper balls, etc.) sometimes they miss.

He sometimes says I live in a garbage dump, a cardboard box, and on certain times he calls me “gaylord,” gay not meaning happy. Matt told me to say, “Gee, thanks, I’ll remember that!” when Nicholas says I am a gaylord. He sometimes swears. The one kid I saw and liked in his family was Nicholas’s kid brother! Since I can only sit in the 4th seat or farther up, I’m a supreme target. Fortunately, they have never stolen my lunch yet.

The reason I made those holes was because I needed to do something to release my tension. My aide and I talked about what I could do instead of damaging other people’s stuff.

Sincerely,
Jonny