Education of Children

Asperger’s syndrome is a neurological disorder in the family of autism spectrum disorders. Because every child exhibits a different set of symptoms, there is no precise checklist of behaviors that must all be present for a diagnosis. Instead, there are many behaviors that may be signs of Asperger’s syndrome. Here we’ve rounded up 10 of the common behaviors to watch for, as shared by moms whose kids have the condition. 1. Fixation on One Activity Many children with Asperger’s syndrome are preoccupied with a single or a few interests and focus on them for hours on end. As Circle of Moms member Karen R. shares: “The most common report from every parent I know . . . is that their kid fixated on something (their cars, their blue toys, their books) and played or attended [to] that thing for an outrageously long time.” 2. “Little Professor” Speech “Typically a child with Asperger’s sounds like a little professor,” shares one Circle of Moms member, Sheila D. “They tend to have advan

By Jamie Davis Smith November 30 The author’s daughter, Sarah, age 5. (By Jamie Davis Smith) Children everywhere have already begun to give serious thought to their holiday wish-list while parents everywhere have already begun to cringe with the realization that in just a few weeks more toys will be invading their home. The good news is that not all gifts need to involve toys. There are plenty of alternatives that children will enjoy just as much as new toy but won’t add to the clutter. Even better, many non-toy gifts lead to enriching experiences, learning, and valuable family time.   1.  Create a Space Just for Your Child.  Does your child love to read? Do art projects? Put puzzles together? Imagine their excitement on Christmas morning waking up to a special area created just for them to do what they love. The area you create doesn’t have to be large. A small tent with a cushion makes a great reading nook in the basement or the child’s bedroom. A child-sized table has a small

While many happily anticipate the coming holiday season, families of people on the autism spectrum also understand the special challenges that may occur when schedules are disrupted and routines broken. Our hope is that by following these few helpful tips, families may lessen the stress of the holiday season and make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. The following tips were developed with input from the Autism Society, the Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Easter Seals Crossroads, the Sonya Ansari Center for Autism at Logan and the Indiana Autism Leadership Network.   1. Preparation is crucial for many individuals.  At the same time, it is important to determine how much preparation a specific person may need. For example, if your son or daughter has a tendency to become anxious when anticipating an event that is to occur in the future, you may want to adjust how many days in advance you prepare him or her. Preparation can occur in various ways by using a calendar