My ASD Child

"I'm interested in Aspergers children and their language skills deficits. Do you have any information on this topic?" Sure... Below is a handout on "Impairments in Language Skills" that I used in a recent workshop for parents with children on the spectrum: Impairments in Language Skills-- A. Impairment in the pragmatic use of language: This refers to the inability to use language in a social sense as a way to interact/communicate with other people. It is important to observe the individual’s use of language in various settings with various people (especially peers). Since the impairments are in pragmatic language usage. 1. Uses conversation to convey facts and information about special interests, rather than to convey thoughts, emotions, or feelings. 2. Uses language scripts or verbal rituals in conversation, often described as “nonsense talk” by others (scripts may be made up or taken from movies/books/TV). At times, the scripts are subtle and...

Aspergers Children and Difficulty with Reciprocal Social Interactions-- A. Inability and/or a lack of desire to interact with peers. Parents are concerned with the child’s reciprocal interactions with others and the quality of those interactions. It is very important to observe how the child interacts with same-age peers. This category comprises two separate issues: the ability and the desire to interact. 1. Displays an inability to interact because she does not know how to interact. She wants to interact with others, but does not know what to do. Observes or stays on the periphery of a group rather than joining in. Initiates play interaction by taking a toy or starting to engage in an ongoing activity without gaining verbal agreement from the other players, will ignore a negative response from others when asking to join in, will abruptly leave a play interaction. Lacks conversational language for a social purpose, does not know what to say — this could be no conversatio...

Aspergers Support Groups - Here you will find contact information for Aspergers and Autism support groups in locations around the world.   ACTION for ASD - Offering advice, information, support, social events and training -- 2001 awarded almost £280,000 by UK funders -- Community Fund to develop our services at a professional level across Lancashire UK.   Advocates for Individuals with High Functioning Autism - Asperger's Syndrome and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Corp., Long Island, New York -- Parent group whose primary purpose is to support one another as we advocate for the unique needs of children and adults with High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders.   AHA/AS/PDD - The Advocates for Individuals with High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Corp., Long Island, New York -- Parent group whose primary purpose is to support one another as they ad...

Let me tell you about a “meltdown” that my son experienced. It’s the worst that I’ve ever seen, and it took us both days to recuperate. For some reason, he freaked out. He said it was because he didn’t have any red crayons, while all the while there were red crayons all around the house. Why red? It is his favorite color. Anyway, to make a long story short, he laid on his bed for over an hour, crying and shouting that no one cared that he didn’t have any red crayons. I tried reasoning with him to no avail. I pointed out all of the red crayons in his room while he lay on his bed, tears streaming down his face, saying he had no red crayons. I was at my wits end and left him alone to see if he would be able to gain control of his emotions. I checked on him several times, but didn’t interfere. I know that the overwhelming emotions have to be played out for him to gain control. I knew that his “meltdown” had nothing to do with red crayons. There was some underlying factor. It may h...