Solving Sleeping Problems

Does your Aspie have trouble settling down to sleep, or staying asleep overnight?  If so, you might want to ask your GP or paediatrician about Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone produced in the pineal gland in the brain. Most people produce sufficient quantities to ensure regular sleeping patterns.  

Melatonin works as part of the body's sleep-wake cycle, and is affected by light.  As the day fades, and darkness increases, the body naturally increases melatonin levels, causing drowsiness and lowering body temperature.  Exposure to light, particularly up close, inhibits this process, which is why you should turn off the PC well before bedtime!

Some studies are showing that individuals on the autism spectrum may not produce enough of this "hormone of darkness", thus resulting in poor sleep habits.  Unfortunately there is no blood test for this at present, so a trial approach is required.  If abnormally low levels of Melatonin are NOT the problem, you will quickly be able to tell.  If they are, then you should see an immediate improvement.

While available over-the-counter in the US & Canada, in Australia & UK you will need a prescription.  While some Australian health funds may provide rebates for it on top cover, there are no Medicare rebates.

Make a note to ask your doctor next time - it could be worth a discussion, at least.

A different take on removing Aspergers from the DSM-V

University professor, author and parent of an autistic child, Roy Richard Grinker has written a very interesting article in the New York Times, about the benefits of removing Aspergers Syndrome as a separate diagnosis in the forthcoming DSM-V.  He also draws attention to the many positives of living with an ASD.

His point of view has certainly challenged my thinking on the subject.  

To read the full article, published on 9th February 2010, click here

Seminar Season

I'm beginning to wonder if I've got an obsession with the letter S!

Seriously, though, have you noticed the number of seminars, workshops, conferences and presentations sprouting up at the moment?  Keen to get a good slice of the PD (professional development) budget from schools and educational institutions, a number of speakers and Autism Spectrum related bodies are offering opportunities for professionals, teachers and parents to improve their knowledge of ASD.  

I've compiled a list of all the offerings around the Melbourne, Victoria region that I could find, with an Aspergers focus.  Click on the Article link on the right hand side to read more.

Happy learning!

PS - if you are a service provider and want to include your seminar or workshop on this list, please email me via this site.

Starting Secondary School

First impressions count - a lot!  And first-day nerves can make everything seem harder.  For ALL kids starting at a new school, it’s important to seem ‘cool’ and together when making those first attempts to connect with the people you’re about to spend your days with. 

Most of the kids will be feeling nervous, and only a few will be good at hiding it.  Anything to help get through the first ten minutes, the first hour, and the first day will make the following days much easier.  And the quicker you can make a friend or two, the better.

My latest article summarises the advice I've been sharing with my son about conversation starters, identifying your Go-To, and setting social goals - I hope you will find it useful with your own Aspie.

Summer Sanity Saver

The summer holidays are here at last.  Do you greet them with a cheer or a whisper of worry?  Six whole weeks of relaxed unscheduled bliss.  Or six weeks of anxiety, melt downs and mayhem?  There's a fair bet the Aspie in your life is feeling very unsettled and worried about what is going to happen next.

Luckily for us, our son was able to express his fears for the holidays in a way that led us to the solution.  An interactive flexible strategy that not only helped reduce his anxiety, but also gave the other children in the family a fun tool to earn rewards for good behaviour.  And even better than that, a system that does not mean more work for Mum or Dad!

Are you curious? 

After spending hours creating our own Home Schedule and Task Board, I've decided to package up the instructions and cards for you to customise and use at your home.  Suitable for teens as well as younger children, just download the PDF files (instructions and templates) from the eStore, and you'll have it up and running in no time.   A little peace and certainty for the price of a coffee.

Happy holidays!

Proposed Changes to the DSM

Do you  know the difference between Aspergers Syndrome and Autism?  Does it matter?

Earlier this month The New York Times ran an article by Simon Baron-Cohen, about the plans underfoot at the American Psychiatric Association to remove Aspergers as a separate diagnosis from the bible - the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM.  The fifth version is scheduled to appear in 2012.  The committee is arguing that there is not enough to distinguish between aspergers and autism, and they should both be reclassified as 'autism spectrum disorder'.

Baron-Cohen, as Director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University, argues that sciencific research has not yet had enough time to evaluate the genetic causes and differences between classic autism, and aspergers syndrome.  The two diagnosis are currently separated only by an average to high intelligence and normal onset of language for AS, however there is much genetic research currently underway, and more time is needed to test current theories.

AS was only added to the DSM-IV in 1994, and the last decade has seen an explosion in diagnoses of Aspergers Syndrome. What effect will it have on our community if Aspergers is removed from the new version, the DSV-V? 

If you want to follow the debate, or add your voice to it, see the initial NYT article, A Powerful Identity, a Vanishing Diagnosis,  and watch this space!

Australian Stories about Aspergers Syndrome

In my forthcoming book, The Hidden Diffability, my aim is to include a wide range of voices and viewpoints in my collection of Australian Stories about Aspergers Syndrome

  - from the parents of young children and teenagers, to mothers of the often-forgotten girls with AS, 

  - from children and adults with AS, to their siblings and grandparents.  

Aspergers Syndrome, in all its wonderful, creative and astounding colours, causes social challenges and obstacles that can bamboozle and confound.  By being a part of this collection, you can share your experiences and the myriad of clever ways your family has found to cope with AS.  And by putting our voices together, we can help improve the neuro-typical world's understanding of AS, and make the lives of our beloved Aspies a little bit better.

Please contact me via the link on the right-hand side of this page, if you'd like to participate in a one-hour interview.   Pseudonyms will be used throughout the book, so your privacy is assured.

Educational Strategies

Australian based educator, teacher and author, Sue Larkey writes a regular E-Zine called 'Making it a Success'. 

Focussing on strategies and tips for parents, teachers and integration aides, recent newsletters have covered topics such as transitions to a new school/year/class, managing change and anxiety, communication tools and emotional thermometers, visual schedules and many more. 

Go to www.suelarkey.com for information on her E-Zine, books and workshops.

Brain wiring and other insights

I've just come across a great short animated film about Aspergers, created by young people in York UK.  It's under 9 minutes, and well worth your time to see, hear and feel the world from an Aspie point of view.  They cover brain wiring differences, sensory overload, mind blindness, preoccupations, communication preferences, and other important topics.

Go to  the YouTube video here http://bit.ly/4kIcp8

Sibling Skirmishes

With social difficulties, homework hassles and after-school meltdowns, a parent’s focus can often be squarely on the child with Aspergers.  Siblings can struggle to get their fair share of Mum/Dad’s time and attention. Here is one sibling’s take on the situation:

Positives:

  • You can learn lots from them, as they can teach you heaps about their special interest
  • When they change interests, you can learn lots about that too
  • When they want to play with you, they focus really well and concentrate just on you
  • They can be very loyal and protective

Negatives:

  • If you’re younger than the Aspie child, they can physically threaten or hurt you
  • They can get angry and lose their cool quickly
  • You have to spend a lot of time going to appointments
  • Mum/Dad spends a lot of time with him/her, and not with me

Take a moment to think about your other children – how does Aspergers affect them? 

Parent-to-Parent:

  • Keep watch that younger children are not being intimidated
  • Explain behavioural issues carefully to the Aspie child, and make sure they know/understand a better way to behave
  • Follow through with consequences for misbehaviour.  It's important that you are seen to be fair with all children in the family.
  • Spend special one-on-one time with the sibling(s), to make up for the extra attention the Aspie child gets.
  • Check out sibling support groups / clubs that might be of interest
  • Try to keep things as normal as possible for the siblings - play-dates and extra-curricular activities especially.
  • Watch out for signs of depression.  If you think it might help, ask your GP to create a Mental Health Care Plan for the sibling, so you can access Medicare rebates for psychology. (Australia only)
  • See my Working the Aspergers System Guide for more strategies and financial supports.

 

Where are the Girls?

In the months since advertising for participants in my research for The Hidden Diffability, I have been contacted by many parents of young boys, happy to share stories of their son's diagnosis and experiences.  But where are the girls? 

Research tells us there are girls with Aspergers Syndrome out there; as many as 1 to every 4 boys diagnosed.  But the different ways in which they display or experience AS, and the bias towards the way boys present within the diagnostic criteria, means they may be slipping though the cracks, and missing out on valuable coaching and support.

A very interesting article explaining the reasons for this can be found at www.yourlittleprofessor.com/girls.html

Asperger's and Girls, by Tony Attwood, Temple Grandin, Teresa Bolick and others, published 2006 by Future Horizons is also well worth reading.

If you have a daughter with AS, or have AS yourself, I'd love to talk with you about your experiences as an Aspie girl.   You can email me via the link in the Navigation menu to your right.  All discussions will remain strictly confidential.

Disorder, disability, difficulties

How I struggle with these terms! 

By definition, Aspergers Syndrome is a disability.  It is recognised as such by government, schools, medical and health professionals.  And yet, many individuals with Aspergers will say they do not feel disabled, and do not wish to be treated as such.

At the risk of sounding naff, I prefer the terms diff-order, and diff-ability, to describe the unique profile of skills, attributes, strengths and weaknesses that define the different wiring of the Aspie brain. 

As my son puts it, "a circuit doesn't work without positive and negative".

The Hidden Diffability

 The Hidden Diffability…

… is a collection of candid interviews, shedding light on the journey families face when their child is diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. From the turbulence of diagnosis, through the trials of finding the right schools, supports and advice, to success stories of happiness in Asperger Land, freelance writer Lyndel Kennedy wants to hear your stories.

The Hidden Diffability will fill a gap in the Australian book market, and enable parents, teachers and carers to share strategies and successes, and give comfort by knowing they are not alone in the sometimes challenging - yet always interesting - journeys we travel with our kids on the Autism Spectrum.

Participants are invited to meet / talk with Lyndel for a one - two hour discussion about your experiences of diagnosis, treatments, support, and living with Aspergers. You can remain anonymous if you wish, and will be given the opportunity to check your story before it goes to print.

Please contact Lyndel Kennedy if you would like to participate.

The Art of Travel (in Aspie Land)

Travelling with the family can mean different things to all of us.  For some, it's a wonderful break from the normal routine, the joy of the open road, and an intoxicating flexibility to stop off whenever and wherever fancy strikes.  For others, though, it can be a hard slog, full of uncertainty, anxiety and strange food.  For a child with Aspergers, the later is the most likely response to the announcement - we're going on a road trip!

Click here to read my article about a recent holiday, and the strategies we've devised to make things better for our son.