For Families
Here are some general approaches we've found that help families dealing with Asperger Syndrome and autism:
Be open about a diagnosis and what it means. Parents tend to assume siblings know more about Asperger Syndrome and autism than they actually do. Explaining to extended family the reasons for a child's behaviors and how to react lays the groundwork for positive family gatherings.
Treat children with special needs as children first, not just as patients.
Give time and attention to each child in a family. This will be more helpful to a special needs child than focusing on him or her to the point that siblings feel neglected.
Find activities that family members (especially siblings) enjoy doing together.
Take care of the caregivers. Most parents (and other caregivers) need to take some time for themselves to take the best possible care of children.
Reach outside for help when necessary. Support groups and counselors can offer approaches and solutions that families may not think of on their own.
Videos
Show to Brothers and Sisters
Show to Children and Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Show to Extended Family Members
Show to Parents
Articles
Practical Praise, Motivation, and Self-Control Many of us would shout “Eureka!” if we found a magic key that would unlock ways to motivate our children with Asperger Syndrome...
Dating With Asperger Syndrome: Decoding Girlworld Recently, a mom contacted me and asked me about ways she could help her son with Asperger Syndrome enter the dating pool.
The Asperger Syndrome Dad Test Your son or daughter has Asperger Syndrome. How are you, as a dad, dealing with it? Here’s a test to...
Love and Criticism Does your child know you believe in him, even when you’re correcting him? Without meaning to, many of us give our children...
Asperger Syndrome: Alone By Choice? Does your child with Asperger Syndrome really want to be alone? I have Asperger Syndrome, and I enjoyed being...
Realistic Gift Giving for the Holidays Are your family holidays the joyous celebrations you see in greeting cards, or stressful sessions that fray nerves? For...
Your Child's Safety Line There’s a great Gary Larson Far Side cartoon about optimists and pessimists that shows four people, each separately looking at a...
Favorite Things What’s your favorite thing? The thing you look forward to. The thing that gives you a rush just to think about it. Interesting...
Expanding Your Child's School Comfort Zone Your child’s success in the coming school year has a lot to do with his or her comfort zone. Some children have pretty...
Briefing Teachers About Your Child It can take any teacher a while to figure out the strengths and challenges of children at the beginning of a school year. A...
Bend, Don't Break - Teaching Flexibility Want to be more flexible? Try yoga. Want your child with Asperger Syndrome to be more mentally flexible? Try mental...
Fathers of Girls Warning: Fathers of girls trying to understand current girl culture are likely to experience disorientation, consternation, and...
Teaching Boys with Asperger Syndrome to Man Up We have an opportunity here. An opportunity to help boys with Asperger Syndrome and similar forms of autism...
The Summer of Social Skills Another summer is coming. How can you help your child use it to make things better for the next school year? If your child...
Vanquishing Victimhood Bullying, being embarrassed in front of a class, and similar incidents can leave lasting impressions on young minds.
Mother's Day Writing Assignment Every mom has a story to tell. Will yours get told?
Motivating Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders How do you motivate a child with Asperger Syndrome or autism?
Autism Awareness and Employers I saw a nice feature in the paper this morning about Autism Awareness Month. Of course, in our family, every month is Autism...
Asperger Honesty We all want our children to be honest and open. Okay, if you’re the parent of a child with Asperger Syndrome, you’ll probably...
Who Supports Our Teachers? What happened? How did we get to the point where political pundits are attacking America’s teachers?
Watch Free "Parent Diagnosis Stories" Video
CLICK HERE to view our free online video of parents describing how they reacted to their children's diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome -- and how they used what they learned to make life better for their families.