Aspergers Summer Camps

The Learning Camp
Vail, Colorado, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Phone: 970-524-2706
The Learning Camp delivers twelve years of building confidence and academic success in males and females 7-14 with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia and other learning differences. Located in the Vail Valley of CO…

Camp Kodiak
McKellar, Ontario, Canada
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 877-569-7595
Phone: 705-389-1910
Integrated, non-competitive camp for kids & adolescents with & without ADHD, LD, NLD, & AS. Social skills & academic programs, 50+ sports & activities, professional staff, 2-to-1 ratio, lakeside cabins...

Camp Caglewood
Suwanee, Georgia, USA
Camp Type: Residential | Day | Adult
Toll-Free: 800-979-2829
Phone: 678-405-9000
Camp Caglewood provides weekend camping and day trip programming for kids and adults with special needs...

Camp Discovery
Pacific Palisades, California, USA
Camp Type: Day
Phone: 818-501-5522
Camp Discovery is an outdoor day camp for kids ages 3 – 10 with mild or moderate special needs. Camp Discovery offers a 1:3 therapist to youngster ratio. All of our therapists have special training to...

Social and Sensory Camps
Campbell, California, USA
Camp Type: Day
Phone: 408-871-8711
The Lighthouse Project offers a wide range of summer camps for high functioning kids with Nonverbal Learning Disorders, Asperger's, high functioning Autism, and Attention Deficits...

Camp Buckskin
Ely, Minnesota, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Phone: 218-365-2121
We have been helping young people with AD/HD, LD, and Aspergers to become more successful since 1959. We offer instruction in both traditional camp and some academic activities in our scenic Northwoods…

Oregon Trails
Redmond, Oregon, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 888-458-8226
Phone: 828-697-6313
Hiking trips for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome or ADHD take place in the Redmond, Oregon area...

Winston Preparatory Summer Enrichment Program
New York, New York, USA
Camp Type: Day
Phone: 646-638-2705 x 688
Winston Preparatory Summer Enrichment provides students with the unique opportunity to participate in an individually designed program aimed to enhance academic skills. Each student receives daily…

Frontier Travel Camp
Miami Shores, Florida, USA
Camp Type: Travel
Toll-Free: 866-750-CAMP
Phone: 305-895-1123
Summer travel program for those with special needs. With quality staff and accommodations, Frontier travels throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere…

Kinark Outdoor Centre
Minden, Ontario, Canada
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 800-805-8252
Phone: 705-286-3555
The Kinark Outdoor Centre is a program of Kinark Child and Family Services facilitating skill development, social recreation, family enrichment and adventure based programs for kids and families ...

Summit Camp
Honesdale, Pennsylvania, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 800-323-9908
Phone: 570-253-4381
Sumimt Camp & Travel offers camping for males and females with attention, social, or learning issues...

Camp Huntington
High Falls, New York, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 866-514-5281
Phone: 845-687-7840
Camp Huntington is a co-ed, residential, seven-week program for kids and young adults with a variety of special needs. Our program is designed to maximize a youngster's potential and develop their…

Trek
Seattle, Washington, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 888-458-8226
Phone: 888-458-8226
Northwestern adventures for kids with Asperger's, NLD, ADHD, or other social skills needs...

Camp Kirk
Kirkfield, Ontario, Canada
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 1-866-982-3310
Phone: 416-782-3310
Camp Kirk is a wholesome experience for kids with learning disabilities and/or ADHD, and those with incontinence or enuresis(bed wetting) difficulties set in the beautiful Canadian countryside...

Ko-Ach Adventures
Temagami, Ontario, Canada
Camp Type: Residential | Tours | Family | Adult
Phone: 647-298-1860
Ko-Ach Adventures provides meaningful summer programming to young people and young diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome or a mild to moderate developmental delay...

Turn-About Ranch
Escalante, Utah, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 866-280-1764
Phone: 435-826-4240
Real ranch. Real values. Real change. Turn-About Ranch is a working horse and cow ranch for adolescents...

Charis Hills
Ingram, Texas, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 888-681-2173
Phone: 325-247-4999
Charis Hills is a Christian, co-ed, residential summer camp which helps kids with learning differences build confidence and find success. We welcome kids with ADHD, LD, ED, and Asperger’s...

Camp Connect
Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA
Camp Type: Day
Phone: 508-697-7557
For Kids & Adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and related challenges...

Turn-About Ranch
Lake Saranac, New York, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 888-458-8226
Phone: 828-697-6313

Talisail
Northwestern, Washington, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 888-458-8226
Phone: 888-458-8226
Talisail is a sailing program for adolescents (13-17 y/o) with Asperger’s, high-functioning Autism, or ADHD/LD, and takes place in the world-class waters of the San Juan archipelago in Northwestern Washington…

Camp Akeela
Thetford Center, Vermont, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 866-680-4744
Phone: 802-333-4843
Camp Akeela is a co-ed, overnight camp in Vermont. Within a well-rounded and traditional program we emphasize the social growth of our campers, many of whom have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome…

Camp Northwood
Remsen, New York, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Phone: 315-831-3621
Providing quality programming to a coed population of 165 kids in need of structure and individualization. The Camp Northwood program is oriented toward a population of learning challenged/ADHD...

Talisman Programs
Zirconia, North Carolina, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 888-458-8226
Phone: 828-697-6313
Talisman Programs are designed specifically for kids and teenagers with ADHD, learning disabilities, Aspergers, and similar social and behavioral needs. Our activities focus on building confidence...

Summit Travel
Honesdale, Pennsylvania, USA
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 800-323-9908
Phone: 570-253-4381
Sumimt Camp & Travel offers camping for males and females with attention, social, or learning issues...

Camp Kennebec
Arden, Ontario, Canada
Camp Type: Residential
Toll-Free: 1-877-335-2114
Phone: 613-335-2114
Camp Kennebec is an inclusive residential camp for kids with various learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, ASD, and other social and behavioural exceptionalities. Camp Kennebec offers...

Blooming Acres
Oro Station, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 705-487-3076
The Blooming Acres summer Camp is a therapeutic agricultural, recreational and vocational experience for kids, teenagers and adults diagnosed with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and other related…

Circle of Friends Social Skills Camp
Marietta, Georgia, USA
Phone: 770-352-9952
Day camp for social skills training and friendship development for kids with special needs…

Extreme Sports Camp
Aspen, Colorado, USA
Phone: 970-920-3695
Extreme Sports Camp is an overnight summer camp in Aspen, Colorado, where older kids with autism spectrum disorders can safely engage in sustained physical activities and find personal growth through…

Ranch Camp at Down Home Ranch
Elgin, Texas, USA
Phone: 512-856-0128

HI-STEP Summer Social Skills Program Camp
Somerset, New Jersey, USA
Phone: 732-873-1212
HI-STEP (formerly Stepping Stone) Summer Social Skills Program / Camp in New Jersey may serve as Special Education Extended School Year (ESY) program…

Camp Health Hope and Happiness
Seba Beach, Alberta, Canada
Camp Health, Hope & Happiness is the only camp in Alberta that accepts, and provides programs, for individuals who have any type and any degree of disability or illness…

Confidence Connection
Wellelsey, Massachusetts, USA
Serving kids ages 4-12, with Autism/PDD, Asperger’s, developmental and speech/language delays…

The Monarch School Summer Program
Houston, Texas, USA
The Monarch School offers a 5-week summer program with an emphasis on Executive Functioning, Relationship Development, Academic Competence, and Self-Regulation…

Camp Maple Leaf
Wallingford, Vermont, USA
A FUN summer day camp experience (ages 8-17) that teaches social/ relaxation skills to individuals diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD, and HFA…

Summer Sensations
Columbia, Maryland, USA
Sensory Motor Full Day Camp carefully designed for kids with sensory processing differences…

Mitchell's Place
Irondale, Alabama, USA
Mitchell's Place developed out of one family's need to provide their son with comprehensive treatment that would address his specific needs and enhance his many strengths…

Rock Climbing Social Skills Group
Huntington Beach, California, USA
Rock Climbing Social Skills Group

Sense Abilities For Kids
Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Our Special Needs Summer Camp offers kids of all abilities to explore their world using touch, movement, body awareness, sight and sound…

St Francis Camp on the Lake
Jerome, Michigan, USA
St Francis Camp serves the needs of our special campers aged 8 - 80. We are located near Jerome MI...

Camp Rise Above
San Diego, California, USA
Camp Rise Above is a specialized summer camp for kids who don’t enjoy the typical summer camps with 30+ kids and low supervision. Our camp is a small group environment where every youngster receives…

Expressions at George School
Newtown, Pennsylvania, USA
Expressions is a day camp designed specifically for males and females ages 7-15 with High Functioning Autism, Apserger's Syndrome, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities and other similar social challenges...

Wediko New Hampshire Summer Program
Windsor, New Hampshire, USA
A 45-day therapeutic residential program that provides academic instruction, experiential education, group therapy, family therapy, milieu therapy, and psychiatric consultation to kids aged 6-18…

YouthCare MGH
Charlestown and Westwood, Massachusetts, USA
Founded in 1969, YouthCare offers a fun-filled seven-week therapeutic day camp for kids through age 14. Each camp day consists of recreational activities as well as therapeutic groups and…

Gulf Islands Film and Television School
Galiano Island, British Columbia, Canada
Intensive weeklong and monthlong media production programs for young people & adults. Students produce short films in teams of four. Rural island off the west coast of B.C.

Advantage Riding Academy
Merrimac, Massachusetts, USA
Horseback riding from the therapeutic to advanced level…

Spectra Academy
Montclair, New Jersey, USA
This is a new program for kids and adolescents with Asperger’s disorder, high functioning autism and those with related social pragmatic difficulties aged 8-14. Kids in this spectrum need…

Camp CARD NE
Ogunquit, Maine, USA
A SUMMER CAMP FARM EXPERIENCE FOR SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT CAMP CARD NE is a social enrichment program for kids with an autism spectrum disorder…

Camp Maple Leaf
Wallingford, Vermont, USA
A fun camp experience that focuses on social skills and leisure/relaxation skills development for kids and adolescents diagnosed with: Nonverbal Learning Disabilities Asperger's Syndrome…

SL Start
Boise, Idaho, USA
Day camp providing Developmental Therapy and Intensive Behavioral Intervention to kids 3-12...

Cincinnati Occupational Therapy Institute
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Summer experiences for kids with sensory processing disorder and other sensory and motor problems...

Camp STAR Summer Treatment for ADHD
Highland Park, Illinois, USA
Camp STAR is an evidence-based DAY camp for kids with behavioral, social and emmotional issues run but clinical staff from the University of Illinois Chicago, and NCYS North Shore Day Camp…

Camp New Connections
Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
Camp New Connections is a Summer Pragmatic Language Program for kids and adolescents with Asperger's Disorder, PDD-NOS, and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities...

Camp Excel
Allenwood (Wall Twp), New Jersey, USA
Camp Excel is a specialized summer camp for kids ADHD and others with Social Skills Challenges. We focus on developing social skills and the social awareness necessary for better relationships...

92nd Street Y Camp Bari Tov and Camp Tova
New York, New York, USA
92nd St. Y’s nurturing day camps for developmentally disabled kids ages 5-13. Bari Tov offers 1-to-1 supervision, while Tova provides a small group structure at our beautiful upstate campground…

Achieve Fluency Learning Camp
Stamford, Connecticut, USA
AFLC is a summer camp for kids with and without special learning needs age 4-12. Our unique program offers kids a great opportunity to receive special attention for their language, academic…


Children with Autism Making Progress
South Pasadena, California, USA
C.A.M.P. is based on the fundamental belief that kids with autism experience life with a super sensitivity unlike typically developing kids…

Help for Grandparents of Aspergers Grandchildren

Q & A with a grandmother of an Aspergers granddaughter:

If your granddaughter has been newly diagnosed, then welcome to the world of Aspergers (high functioning autism). It is a mysterious and sometimes overwhelming world, but it is not one to be afraid of. Even if you are saddened, disappointed or angry about the diagnosis, keep in mind that it’s for the best. The earlier the diagnosis, the earlier the intervention, and the better the prognosis in the long run.

For some grandmothers, the news seems to come right out of the blue. Sure, there were difficulties at school - but then, school isn’t as strict as it used to be. And yes, there were some problems at home, but none of them sounded like anything that “good old-fashioned discipline” couldn’t solve. Why, then, do the mom & dad seem to be clinging to this diagnosis as if it were a life-raft in the high seas? And why are counselors, psychologists, occupational therapists and special education teachers suddenly getting involved?

As a grandmother, you have a lot of questions to sort out. But along with the confusion comes an opportunity to get involved where you are really needed. Kids with Aspergers have a special need in their lives for ‘safe’ people who won’t criticize them or put them down for their differences. They need loving, non-judgmental grandmothers who accept them as they are and make a place for them in their lives. If you can reach out to them, they will treasure your relationship with them for the rest of their lives.

I’ve read articles about Aspergers. But I still don’t understand what it is.

Aspergers is a type of autism, and autism is a neurological disorder that affects the way a person interacts with others and his or her world. It’s not a mental illness, and it is not caused by weak parenting. In its more severe forms, it’s a disorder because it causes disorder in the life of the kid. In its milder forms, it is more of a marked difference from the norm. In our culture, which judges people on the way they interact with others, these disorder-differences can have a profound impact on a person’s life.

You’ve probably heard the mom & dad complaining about the difficulties they’ve had with the kid in the home - obsessive behavior, irrational outbursts, wild fears, and irritability over the smallest issues. These problems are not misbehaviors, but rather the kid’s responses to an inability to comprehend what is going on around them and inside them. Some experts have called it a “mind blindness,” one that causes the person to stumble and bump into complex social situations that they can’t “see.”

Yet by effectively “blinding” the mind to certain aspects of daily life, Aspergers enables the kid’s mind to focus in a way that most of us are incapable of. They feel their feelings more intensely, experience texture, temperature and taste more powerfully, and think their thoughts more single-mindedly. In many ways, this ability to focus is the great gift of Aspergers, and is the reason why a great number people with Aspergers have become gifted scientists, artists and musicians.

It is as if the Asperger brain is born speaking a different language. It can learn our language through careful instruction or self-instruction, but it will always retain its accent. While Asperger adults go on to successful careers and interesting lives, they will always be considered unusual people.

I’ve never heard of it before.

That’s not too surprising. Pediatricians don’t study it in medical school, teachers don’t learn about it in education college, and the mass media rarely covers it. Until the 1980s, the condition didn’t even have a name, even though Hans Asperger’s original work was done in the 1940s. It is only very recently that the condition has received much attention at all. However, as professionals are becoming more informed about the condition, they are discovering that there is a fair amount of Aspergers out there.

You may remember an “odd” kid from your grade-school years - one that had no friends, who was always preoccupied with some obsessive interest that no one else cared about, who said the strangest things at the strangest times. Though the syndrome has only recently been named, these kids have been living and growing up alongside other kids for centuries. Some have become successful and happy as adults despite their undiagnosed problems, teaching themselves over time how to navigate around their deficits. Others have gone on to live lives of confusion and frustration, never understanding why the world didn’t make much sense to them.

With the recognition of Aspergers, we now can give a new generation of Asperger kids a chance at the same kind of life that other kids have.

Great. So how do we fix it?

We can’t fix it. Despite all the marvels of modern science, there are still some problems that can’t be cured. Nobody knows what causes Aspergers, though most scientists acknowledge a genetic factor. So the deficits your grand daughter has can only be understood, minimized and worked around. They will require accommodating on everyone’s part. But in time, with proper programming, the kid’s behavior and understanding of the world should improve.

Specialized therapies for autism disorders are available, but in most cases, the mom & dad must bear the full cost. This can cause tremendous financial strain on the family. In addition, while most regions require specialized programming for Asperger kids, these programs are rarely sufficient for the kid’s needs. So the mom & dad must fill in the gaps with their own home-made programming.

Drug therapies are also sometimes available in cases where extreme behavior needs to be controlled. But these drugs don’t treat the cause of Aspergers. So even if some of the symptoms can be relieved with drugs, the central problems still remain.

A lot of kids have these sorts of difficulties. It’s just a part of growing up, isn’t it? After all, he looks perfectly normal to me.

She is normal. And she has the capacity to grow up to become a wonderful, normal adult - especially now that he has been diagnosed and is receiving special training. But he is normal with a difference.

The deficits that comprise Aspergers are not always readily apparent, especially in milder cases. The kid is usually of average intelligence or higher, yet lacks what are essentially instincts for other kids. If your grand daughter seems “perfectly normal” despite the diagnosis you’ve been told about, then he is probably working very hard to make sure he fits in - and it’s not as easy as it looks.

It is best to treat your granddaughter for what she is - normal. But be prepared to take some advice from those closest to him regarding what is the best way to handle certain situations.

It may not look like much to you, but Aspergers is a cause for concern. It’s not at all the same thing as the sort of developmental delay that some kids experience, and a professional trained in its diagnosis can determine the difference. Certainly misdiagnoses are possible. But in such cases, it’s always wiser to err on the side of caution. The wait-and-see method is risky when there is evidence suggesting a neurological problem.

So what if she doesn’t do what other kids do? She’s advanced for her age.

Un-kidlike behavior doesn’t mean that a kid is “too smart” for play-dough and playgrounds. Even if she is smart, she still needs to learn the skills of play, because play is how kids learn - about things, about life, and about each other. Precociousness is cute and is sometimes a source of pride for grandmothers, but it is also often an indication that there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed - and the earlier the better.

If Aspergers is genetic, then does that mean we have it too?

You might, or you might not. Usually at least one of the parents has some Asperger qualities to their personality, and so it seems likely that the same might be true of the grandmother generation.

But before you get defensive, remember that Aspergers shouldn’t be regarded as a source of family shame. It’s a difference more than a disorder. And we know it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around. Many famous people are believed to have had Aspergers, including Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, Anton Bruckner, and Andy Warhol. It seems a touch of autism often brings out genius.

And that’s not such a bad thing to have in the family!

What if I don’t believe the diagnosis?

That’s your privilege. But keep in mind that the kid’s mom & dad believe it. They live and work with the kid daily and are in a unique position to notice the deficits. Because they care deeply about that kid’s future, they aren’t concerned about the stigma of a label, as long as it means the kid is eligible for the specialized programming she needs. They have put their pride aside for the sake of the kid and expect the same from the rest of the family.

Consider carefully what could possibly be gained by refusing to believe the diagnosis. Then consider what could be lost. The mom & dad are already living with a great deal more stress than other parents, and they don’t need the added strain of skeptical or judgmental grandmothers. Otherwise you may suddenly be faced with the pain of being unwelcome in your granddaughter’s home.

The child’s mother looks exhausted all the time. Could that be a cause?

It’s more likely an effect. Consider what her life is like: she has to constantly monitor what is going on regarding her Asperger kid, thwart anything that might trigger a meltdown, predict the kid’s reactions in all situations and respond immediately, look for opportunities to teach the kid social behavior without creating a scene, and so on - every minute, every day. So it’s not surprising that she doesn’t feel like sitting down for a cup of tea with you and making small talk!

The truth is that the majority of mothers of Asperger kids struggle with depression. While the special services she will receive over the next few years should help in some ways, she will still be the one to deal with the day-to-day difficulties of raising an unusual kid. For many mothers, this means ceaseless work, often to the exclusion of their own needs. Their physical, mental and emotional exhaustion can have a profound effect on the health and happiness of the entire family.

For this reason, mothers of Asperger kids need those closest to them to give their full, unconditional support, both in words and in action.

I’d like to help out and get involved. But my son and his wife always get defensive no matter what I say.

Your son and daughter-in-law are now so used to defending their kid that it comes as second nature. Give them some time. Once they are more certain of your support, they will be less sensitive.

In the meantime, think carefully before you speak. Choose expressions that suggest sympathy and genuine curiosity, and avoid those that convey criticism. For example, instead of saying ‘He looks perfectly normal to me’, you can say ‘He’s doing really well.’ Phrase ideas as questions, not judgments by saying ‘Have you thought about…’ rather than ‘It’s probably…’.

The most destructive things you can say are those that convey your lack of trust in their ability to parent, your disdain for the diagnosis, and your unwillingness to make accommodations. Here are some real-life examples gathered from mothers of Asperger kids:

‘All you ever do is complain about how hard your life is.’

‘Don’t believe everything those psychologists tell you. He’ll just grow out of it, wait and see!’

‘Everybody’s got to have a problem with a fancy name these days!’

‘He wouldn’t act this way if you didn’t work.’

‘He’s having all these problems because you took him out of school for that home-schooling nonsense.’

‘I managed all by myself with four kids. You’ve just got two, and you can’t handle them!’

‘Just let him spend more time with us. We’ll whip him into shape!’

‘She may act that way at home, but she’s not going to do that in MY house!’

‘There’s nothing wrong with her. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Are you sure you’re not the one that needs to see a psychologist?’

Keep in mind that parents of Asperger kids face these hurtful, humiliating attitudes every day - from bus drivers to teachers, doctors to neighbors. Their tolerance level for such opinionated criticism is low, especially since they spend every bit of their energy raising their difficult kid. So avoid insensitive comments at all costs. And if you unwittingly blurt out something the wrong way, be sure to apologize.

So then what can I do for them?

Look for ways to be supportive. Let them know that there is another heart tugging at the load - and it’s yours. Keep on the lookout for articles about Aspergers and send them copies. This shows that you are interested. Ask lots of questions about the special programs the kid is in. Be enthusiastic and optimistic. Let them know you think they’re doing a great job. At other times, be a sympathetic sounding board when they have difficult decisions to make, or when they just need to tell someone what an awful day they’ve had.

If you live close by, consider how much you can help by giving the mom & dad an evening out. If you’re not certain how to handle the kid on your own, then spend some time shadowing the mom & dad to learn how to do it - or offer to babysit after the kid is in bed. Whatever you can do to help will be appreciated.

What does my granddaughter need from me?

She needs to know that you are a safe haven in a bewildering world. It may seem a lot to ask to be flexible with a kid who appears to be misbehaving, but inflexibility will only put distance between you and the kid. If the kid’s manners and mannerisms drive you crazy, ask the mom & dad for suggestions on how to set expectations for your house.

Learn to listen to the kid when she says she doesn’t want to do something. Maybe some kids are happy to spend a couple of hours at a flea market, but think very carefully before dragging an Asperger kid there. Accommodate to her needs, or you run the risk of ruining your time together.

When in doubt, ask the mom & dad for advice.

But in general, just make the decision now that you will spend your time enjoying the kid for what he is - a unique and unusual person. That annoying stubborn streak you see in him is going to be his greatest survival skill. And even though he seems to be afraid of just about anything, recognize that he is like a blind person - it takes tremendous courage for him just to walk through each day. Celebrate his courage and tenacity.

To tell the truth, sometimes I don’t feel comfortable around my granddaughter. I have no idea what to do when she acts in her odd ways.

No one said it would be easy. But most Asperger kids are easiest to handle in one-on-one situations, so look for opportunities to go for walks or spend time in the workshed puttering around together. Tell your granddaughter your stories, especially those that touch on aspects of his life affected by Aspergers. She will love hearing about the time when you were a girl that you blurted out the secret, or how difficult it was for you to learn to tie your shoes. You might tell her about times you wished you knew how to say something, or times when you wanted to be alone. Stories like these can create a powerful bond between you and your grand daughter.

You may discover that all she wants to talk about is his pet subject. Don’t despair. If it’s something you know nothing about, then this is an opportunity to learn something. Search for some magazine articles on the topic so that you always have something new to share together. In time, you may find that you have ideas for helping her expand her interests into other subjects. But even if you do nothing more than listen and share her enthusiasm for her favorite topic in the whole world, your grand daughter will learn that Grandma cares.

When you spend time with her with other people or in public places, it might be helpful to think of yourself as a seeing-eye dog. Remember, she is “blind” in certain ways. Point out trouble-spots and guide her around them, explain social situations that she can’t “see,” and narrate what you are doing as you do it. By doing so, you’ll help her to feel more secure with you, and you’ll be actively participating in her special programming.

One word of caution: watch the emotional levels. Asperger kids often have great difficulty sorting out emotions. If you get angry, the kid could lose control because she is unable to deal with your anger and her own confusion at the same time. Reign in your temper when the kid is clumsy, stubborn, or frustrated. In situations where you feel you really need to be firm, keep your tone calm, your movements slow and even, and tell the kid what you’re going to do before you do it. Get advice from the mom & dad how to deal with little meltdowns so that you are prepared in advance, but do your best to avoid triggering them.

Here are some simple DO’s and DON’T’s to remember when spending time with your granddaughter:

• Do acknowledge the kid’s expressions of frustration.
• Do control your anger.
• Do get involved in the kid’s interests.
• Do learn what sorts of activities are recommended for the kid.
• Do praise the kid for his strengths.
• Do respect the kid’s fears, even if they seem senseless.
• Don’t compare him with his siblings.
• Don’t feel helpless - ask for help.
• Don’t joke, tease, shame, threaten, or demean the kid.
• Don’t talk to him as if he were stupid.
• Don’t tell the kid she will outgrow her difficulties.

COMMENTS:

Anonymous said...
I plan to print it out and mail it. THANK YOU, THANK YOU! This is perhaps the most important article I have read on your site. You put into words, exactly why I am going thru with my family, and so desperately what I need for them to understand. This is all too much to go thru alone. And not only is my relationship with some family members broken, but they are missing out on getting to know a really great kid.

Anonymous said...
It is like you step into our life and know exactly what it is like. Do you have any idea how helpful you are? Thank you for yet another amazing article!

Anonymous said...
i feel like this article was written with my concerns, i have been the helicopter mom, helping her daughter for almost 3 years now with all of her therapies and I feel like no one ever gets what I am trying to say, so thanks for such a great article.

Anonymous said...
Thank you so much for the wonderful articles you share. So often the outside world just doesn't "get it". Thank you for making it easier to help them understand.

Anonymous said...
This is very interesting & I put in a comment before but don't see it with the other comments. I know that my son & grandson both have this & all of this helps me understand them better! Lord bless you!

Anonymous said...
If you ever need a volunteer or someone to help at one of your lectures/seminars I would love to do that. I want to get more involved with Aspergers/Autism. I just don't know how or what to do. I have worked 35 years in the healthcare field and now at 53 I am retired. YEA!!!! Aspergers is my passion now. Thank you so much for all your help and great you-tube videos and newsletters. I think I am about done with your you-tube videos. I think I will be an expert when I'm done with all your info. Thanks again for all you do for the kids, parents and GRANDPARENTS (me) struggling to make sense of all this. You are amazing. Someday if it would ever be possible I would pay you an office visit to just meet Kinser. I know you are very busy but for some reason I would just love for you to meet him. I think there is just something unique and special about him. I know you said you are not at this time taking new patients so I'm not asking for that at all. Although if you ever do accept new patients please let me know. Thanks again for everything.

Aspergers Kids & Board Games

The youngster with Aspergers may get upset over game rules, sharing, or taking turns. This applies especially when following the rules means that sometimes the child with Aspergers loses the game! Hence, your son’s insistence on playing with his own rules. He does not understand that others want to win a game sometimes, too.

And, even if your son does come to understand that, he may not care about their feelings enough to play the game appropriately. While some kids act as “the warden” or keeper of the rules, others find it hard to grasp the give and take of peer relationships, including following rules while playing games with others.

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Crash Course for Parents with Newly Diagnosed Aspergers Kids

Has your child recently been diagnosed with Aspergers or High Functioning Autism (levels 1-2)? Are you shocked, worried, or concerned about what the future holds? Do you have a lot of unanswered questions? Then read on...

Aspergers (high functioning autism) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by:

• clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements
• limited interests or an unusual preoccupation with a particular subject to the exclusion of other activities
• peculiarities in speech and language, such as speaking in an overly formal manner or in a monotone, or taking figures of speech literally
• problems with non-verbal communication, including the restricted use of gestures, limited or inappropriate facial expressions, or a peculiar, stiff gaze
• repetitive routines or rituals
• socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact successfully with peers

Aspergers is an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior.

Other ASDs include:

• childhood disintegrative disorder
• classic autism
• pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS)
• Rett syndrome

Moms and dads usually sense there is something unusual about a youngster with Aspergers by the time of his or her third birthday, and some kids may exhibit symptoms as early as infancy. Unlike kids with autism, kids with Aspergers retain their early language skills. Motor development delays – crawling or walking late, clumsiness – are sometimes the first indicator of the disorder.

The incidence of Aspergers is not well established, but experts in population studies conservatively estimate that two out of every 10,000 kids have the disorder. Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have Aspergers.

Studies of kids with Aspergers suggest that their problems with socialization and communication continue into adulthood. Some of these kids develop additional psychiatric symptoms and disorders in adolescence and adulthood.

Although diagnosed mainly in kids, Aspergers is being increasingly diagnosed in adults who seek medical help for mental health conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). No studies have yet been conducted to determine the incidence of Aspergers in adult populations.

Why is it called Aspergers?

In 1944, an Austrian pediatrician named Hans Asperger observed four kids in his practice who had difficulty integrating socially. Although their intelligence appeared normal, the kids lacked nonverbal communication skills, failed to demonstrate empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy. Their way of speaking was either disjointed or overly formal, and their all-absorbing interest in a single topic dominated their conversations. Dr. Asperger called the condition “autistic psychopathy” and described it as a personality disorder primarily marked by social isolation.

Asperger’s observations, published in German, were not widely known until 1981, when an English doctor named Lorna Wing published a series of case studies of kids showing similar symptoms, which she called “Asperger’s” syndrome. Wing’s writings were widely published and popularized. Aspergers became a distinct disease and diagnosis in 1992, when it was included in the tenth published edition of the World Health Organization’s diagnostic manual, International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), and in 1994 it was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic reference book.

What are some common signs or symptoms?

The most distinguishing symptom of Aspergers is a youngster’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. Some kids with Aspergers have become experts on vacuum cleaners, makes and models of cars, even objects as odd as deep fat fryers. Kids with Aspergers want to know everything about their topic of interest and their conversations with others will be about little else. Their expertise, high level of vocabulary, and formal speech patterns make them seem like little professors.

Kids with Aspergers will gather enormous amounts of factual information about their favorite subject and will talk incessantly about it, but the conversation may seem like a random collection of facts or statistics, with no point or conclusion.

Their speech may be marked by a lack of rhythm, an odd inflection, or a monotone pitch. Kids with Aspergers often lack the ability to modulate the volume of their voice to match their surroundings. For example, they will have to be reminded to talk softly every time they enter a library or a movie theater.

Unlike the severe withdrawal from the rest of the world that is characteristic of autism, kids with Aspergers are isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests. In fact, they may approach other people, but make normal conversation impossible by inappropriate or eccentric behavior, or by wanting only to talk about their singular interest.

Kids with Aspergers usually have a history of developmental delays in motor skills such as pedaling a bike, catching a ball, or climbing outdoor play equipment. They are often awkward and poorly coordinated with a walk that can appear either stilted or bouncy.

Many kids with Aspergers are highly active in early childhood, and then develop anxiety or depression in young adulthood. Other conditions that often co-exist with Aspergers are ADHD, tic disorders (such as Tourette syndrome), depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD.

What causes Aspergers? Is it genetic?

Current research points to brain abnormalities as the cause of Aspergers. Using advanced brain imaging techniques, scientists have revealed structural and functional differences in specific regions of the brains of normal versus Aspergers kids. These defects are most likely caused by the abnormal migration of embryonic cells during fetal development that affects brain structure and “wiring” and then goes on to affect the neural circuits that control thought and behavior.

For example, one study found a reduction of brain activity in the frontal lobe of Aspergers kids when they were asked to respond to tasks that required them to use their judgment. Another study found differences in activity when kids were asked to respond to facial expressions. A different study investigating brain function in adults with Aspergers revealed abnormal levels of specific proteins that correlate with obsessive and repetitive behaviors.

Scientists have always known that there had to be a genetic component to Aspergers and the other ASDs because of their tendency to run in families. Additional evidence for the link between inherited genetic mutations and Aspergers was observed in the higher incidence of family members who have behavioral symptoms similar to Aspergers but in a more limited form. For example, they had slight difficulties with social interaction, language, or reading.

A specific gene for Aspergers, however, has never been identified. Instead, the most recent research indicates that there are most likely a common group of genes whose variations or deletions make an individual vulnerable to developing Aspergers. This combination of genetic variations or deletions will determine the severity and symptoms for each individual with Aspergers.

How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Aspergers is complicated by the lack of a standardized diagnostic screen or schedule. In fact, because there are several screening instruments in current use, each with different criteria, the same youngster could receive different diagnoses, depending on the screening tool the doctor uses.

To further complicate the issue, some doctors believe that Aspergers is not a separate and distinct disorder. Instead, they call it High-Functioning Autism (HFA), and view it as being on the mild end of the ASD spectrum with symptoms that differ -- only in degree -- from classic autism. Some clinicians use the two diagnoses, Aspergers or HFA, interchangeably. This makes gathering data about the incidence of Aspergers difficult, since some kids will be diagnosed with HFA instead of Aspergers, and vice versa.

Most doctors rely on the presence of a core group of behaviors to alert them to the possibility of a diagnosis of Aspergers. These are:

• a lack of interactive play
• a lack of interest in peers
• abnormal eye contact
• aloofness
• the failure to turn when called by name
• the failure to use gestures to point or show

Some of these behaviors may be apparent in the first few months of a youngster’s life, or they may appear later. Problems in at least one of the areas of communication and socialization or repetitive, restricted behavior must be present before the age of 3.

The diagnosis of Aspergers is a two-stage process. The first stage begins with developmental screening during a “well-child” check-up with a family doctor or pediatrician. The second stage is a comprehensive team evaluation to either rule in or rule out Aspergers. This team generally includes a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and additional professionals who have expertise in diagnosing kids with Aspergers.

The comprehensive evaluation includes neurologic and genetic assessment, with in-depth cognitive and language testing to establish IQ and evaluate psychomotor function, verbal and non-verbal strengths and weaknesses, style of learning, and independent living skills. An assessment of communication strengths and weaknesses includes evaluating non-verbal forms of communication (gaze and gestures); the use of non-literal language (metaphor, irony, absurdities, and humor); patterns of inflection, stress and volume modulation; pragmatics (turn-taking and sensitivity to verbal cues); and the content, clarity, and coherence of conversation. The physician will look at the testing results and combine them with the youngster’s developmental history and current symptoms to make a diagnosis.

Are there treatments available?

The ideal treatment for Aspergers coordinates therapies that address the three core symptoms of the disorder: poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. There is no single best treatment package for all kids with Aspergers, but most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

An effective treatment program builds on the youngster’s interests, offers a predictable schedule, teaches tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engages the youngster’s attention in highly structured activities, and provides regular reinforcement of behavior. This kind of program generally includes:

• cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of “talk” therapy that can help the more explosive or anxious kids to manage their emotions better and cut back on obsessive interests and repetitive routines
• medication, for co-existing conditions such as depression and anxiety
• occupational or physical therapy, for kids with sensory integration problems or poor motor coordination
• parent training and support, to teach moms & dads behavioral techniques to use at home
• social skills training, a form of group therapy that teaches kids with Aspergers the skills they need to interact more successfully with other kids
• specialized speech/language therapy, to help kids who have trouble with the pragmatics of speech – the give and take of normal conversation

Do kids with Aspergers get better? What happens when they become adults?

With effective treatment, kids with Aspergers can learn to cope with their disabilities, but they may still find social situations and personal relationships challenging. Many adults with Aspergers are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs, although they may continue to need encouragement and moral support to maintain an independent life.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is one of the federal government’s leading supporters of biomedical research on brain and nervous system disorders. The NINDS conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, and awards grants to support research at universities and other facilities. Many of the Institutes at the NIH, including the NINDS, are sponsoring research to understand what causes Aspergers and how it can be effectively treated.

One study is using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show how abnormalities in particular areas of the brain cause changes in brain function that result in the symptoms of Aspergers and other ASDs. Another large-scale study is comparing neuropsychological and psychiatric assessments of kids with possible diagnoses of Aspergers or HFA to those of their moms & dads and siblings to see if there are patterns of symptoms that link Aspergers and HFA to specific neuropsychological profiles.

NINDS is also supporting a long-range international study that brings together investigators to collect and analyze DNA samples from kids with Aspergers and HFA, as well as their families, to identify associated genes and how they interact. Called the Autism Genome Project, it’s a consortium of scientists from universities, academic centers, and institutions around the world that functions as a repository for genetic data so that researchers can look for the genetic “building blocks” of Aspergers and the other ASDs.

Since there are so many different forms of ASD, understanding the genetic basis of each opens the door to opportunities for more precise diagnosis and treatment. Knowing the genetic profile of a particular disorder could mean early identification of those at risk, and early intervention when treatments and therapies are likely to be the most successful.

Resources for parents of children and teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism:

==> Preventing Meltdowns and Tantrums in Asperger's Children

==> Discipline for Defiant Asperger's Teens

==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management

==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's: How to Promote Self-Reliance

==> Everything You'll Ever Need to Know About Parenting Asperger's Children

==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

==> AudioBook: Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger’s and High-Functioning Autism

Autistic Children and the Benefits of Visual Schedules

"How can I help my autistic child move from one task or event to the next without meltdowns?"

Autistic children thrive on routine and structure. As your child begins to recognize structure in his or her life, this may be the time to make a visual schedule to help your child recognize when certain events are happening in his or her day. 

 

A visual schedule works better than a written schedule for obvious reasons as your child may not be able to read and thus may not get the benefit of the visual cue.

To make such a visual schedule, you can use a white board on which you put the hours of the day and a space at the top for the day of the week. Purchase strips of Velcro that have a sticky back and place a small square of Velcro in each time slot. 

 

Using thick card, draw the different aspects of your day in visual form. For example, you can draw pictures of food for the times of the day that you eat. You can also draw a picture of a bed for the times your child sleeps.

Each day, pin up the pictorial representation of your day and put the day of the week at the top. When your child wakes up, bring him or her to the board and talk about when different things will happen. When it comes time for the various events in the day, have the child tear off the pictorial representation and talk about what it is you’re going to be doing. 

 

Put the pictorial representation in a nearby box for the next day. This technique will help your child appreciate structure in his or her day. It leaves no question as to what will happen and it involves, in a way, the completion of tasks—something autistic children like to do.

By using Velcro squares, you can alter the schedule every day for things like shopping and doctor’s visits. Each day can look the way it’s supposed to on the board and will give the autistic child a lesser degree of confusion about the things that he or she will be doing that day. 

 

 

Resources for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum:
 

==> How to Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

==> Parenting System that Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder

==> Launching Adult Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance

==> Teaching Social-Skills and Emotion-Management to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Parents' Comprehensive Handbook

==> Unraveling the Mystery Behind High-Functioning Autism: Audio Book

==> Crucial Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

==> Videos for Parents of Children and Teens with ASD

 

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Resources for Neurodiverse Couples:

==> Online Group Therapy for Men with ASD

==> Online Group Therapy for NT Wives

==> Living with ASD: eBook and Audio Instruction for Neurodiverse Couples 

==> One-on-One Counseling for Struggling Individuals & Couples Affected by ASD

==> Online Group Therapy for Couples Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder

 ==> Cassandra Syndrome Recovery for NT Wives

==> ASD Men's MasterClass: Social-Skills Training and Emotional-Literacy Development

==> Pressed for time? Watch these "less-than-one-minute" videos for on the go.