The Everything Parent's Guide To Children With Asperger's Syndrome

by Stillman, William

• ISBN13: 9781593371531
• ISBN10: 1593371535
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-30
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

Parents learn how to: - Begin the process of seeking diagnosis- Introduce their child to social settings- Build positive relationships inside and outside the family unit- Prepare their child for adolescence and adulthood

Table of Contents

Introduction	xiii
Foreword	xv
Defining Asperger's Syndrome	1	(13)
Background and History	1	(1)
On the Autism Spectrum	2	(1)
Asperger's Defined	3	(4)
Asperger's and Autistic-like Commonalities	7	(4)
Prevalence and Misdiagnosis	11	(3)
Positive Perspectives	14	(11)
We're All More Alike	14	(2)
Similar Habits	16	(1)
Confronting Negative Feelings	17	(1)
Offering Encouragement and Support	18	(3)
Positive Philosophies	21	(2)
Comfort Zones	23	(2)
Seeking Diagnosis	25	(17)
Is a Diagnosis Necessary?	25	(2)
Making the Decision	27	(2)
Local Resources for Diagnosis	29	(4)
Intervention	33	(3)
Disclosure and Self-Understanding	36	(6)
Discipline	42	(12)
Your Approach to Discipline	42	(1)
Setting Rules	43	(2)
Communicating Expectations	45	(2)
Seeing Your Child's Point of View	47	(1)
Knowing When to Discipline	48	(3)
Meltdowns	51	(3)
Communication	54	(15)
How Would You Feel?	54	(3)
Communicating Visually	57	(1)
Extra Processing Time	58	(1)
Eye Contact	59	(2)
Creating Trust	61	(1)
Helping Your Child Crack the ``Social Code''	62	(3)
Additional Social Strategies	65	(4)
Physical Health	69	(16)
Recognizing Pain	69	(2)
Allergies	71	(1)
Gastrointestinal Issues	72	(4)
Why Does Pain Go Unreported?	76	(4)
Stories for Reporting Pain	80	(5)
Mental Health	85	(20)
Prevention Not Intervention	85	(2)
Depression	87	(4)
Bipolar Disorder	91	(4)
Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder	95	(3)
Ways to Approach Mental Health	98	(3)
Fostering Mental Health Self-Advocacy	101	(4)
Passions	105	(18)
Identifying and Valuing Personal Passions	105	(3)
How Others Perceive Passions	108	(2)
Passions and Relationship-Building	110	(3)
Passions as Bridges to Learning	113	(4)
Passions as Bridges to Employment	117	(1)
When Is a Passion an OCD?	118	(5)
Family Dynamics	123	(14)
Parents with Asperger's	123	(4)
Recognizing Asperger's in You or Your Spouse	127	(1)
Sibling Relationships	128	(3)
Extended Family	131	(3)
Your Community	134	(3)
Fostering Relationships	137	(13)
Your Child's Interactions	137	(1)
The Dance of Reciprocal Flow	138	(3)
Conversational ``Bag of Tricks''	141	(3)
Opportunities for Bonding	144	(2)
Finding Allies	146	(2)
Is It Okay to Be Alone?	148	(2)
Educational Programming	150	(17)
Your Child's School Experience	150	(1)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act	151	(2)
Special Education	153	(3)
Creating the Individual Education Plan	156	(3)
Resolving Disagreements	159	(3)
Alternative Education Programs	162	(5)
School-Related Issues	167	(13)
The School Day	167	(1)
How Your Child Learns	168	(3)
Environmental Issues	171	(2)
Homework	173	(3)
Bullying	176	(2)
Unstructured School Environments	178	(2)
Extracurricular Activities	180	(13)
Athletic Options	180	(3)
Playing on a Team	183	(1)
Being a Good Sport	184	(2)
School-Sponsored Activities	186	(2)
Summer Camp	188	(5)
Significant Transitions and Change	193	(20)
Attending a New School	193	(6)
Transition to New Home	199	(3)
Transition to College	202	(4)
Handling Divorce	206	(3)
Loss of Loved Ones	209	(2)
Follow-up Support	211	(2)
Traveling and Vacations	213	(12)
Fun Vacations	213	(2)
A Role in Planning	215	(1)
Vacation Anxieties	216	(1)
Flying	217	(3)
Amusement Parks	220	(5)
Sexuality	225	(12)
The Birds and the Bees	225	(3)
Masturbation	228	(2)
Infatuation	230	(3)
Dating	233	(2)
Same-Sex Attraction	235	(2)
Strategies of Lifelong Value	237	(13)
Personal Schedules	237	(3)
The Touchstone	240	(2)
The Social Out	242	(3)
Acting and Music	245	(1)
Written Narratives	246	(2)
Spirituality	248	(2)
Employment	250	(11)
Identifying Job Interests	250	(2)
Part-Time and After-School Work	252	(2)
Applying for the Job	254	(1)
The Job Interview	255	(2)
If Your Child Doesn't Get the Job	257	(1)
On-the-Job Issues	258	(3)
Transitioning to Adulthood	261	(13)
Planning for the Future	261	(2)
The Person-Centered Planning Process	263	(2)
Independent Living	265	(2)
Learning New Responsibilities	267	(2)
Don't Get Taken	269	(2)
Mark's Strategies	271	(3)
Law Enforcement	274	(9)
Understanding Justice	274	(5)
Misunderstandings	279	(1)
Calling the Police	280	(3)
The Rewards of Being an Asperger's Parent	283	(6)
What Have You Learned?	283	(2)
The Desire to Give Back	285	(1)
Asperger's and the World	286	(2)
The Future	288	(1)
Appendix A Further Reading	289	(4)
Appendix B Web Site Resources	293	(2)
Index	295