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Promoting Different "Special Interests" in Kids on the Autism Spectrum: Top 10 Picks for Education Toys and Games

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Children's Calendar Wall Chart 4M Solar System Planetarium Educational Insights Design & Drill Activity Center Reality Based Globe   Educational Construction Engineering Building Blocks Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope Highly Stimulating Brain Teasers - Challenging IQ Games Learn to Tie a Shoe Educational Toy Helps to Teach Early Math Circuits Games & Gadgets Electronics Lab

Why Kids with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism May Be Labeled As "ODD" by Others

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==> Specific Parenting Techniques for Children and Teens on the High-Functioning End of the Autism Spectrum

Helping Your Teenager with ASD to Eliminate Thinking Errors

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"How can I help my teen with autism (high functioning) to not be so negative? He tends to view everything EVERYTHING through the lens of defeat. His self esteem is a big fat ZERO... no confidence whatsoever!!!" Many children and teens with Asperger’s (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA) experience “thinking errors,” largely due to a phenomenon called “mind-blindness.”    Mind-blindness can be described as a cognitive disorder where the child is unable to attribute mental states (e.g., emotions, beliefs, desires, motives) to himself or others. This ability to develop a mental awareness of what is in the mind of another person is known as the “Theory of Mind .” Generally speaking, the “Mind-blindness Theory ” asserts that young people on the autism spectrum are delayed in developing a Theory of Mind, which normally allows developing kids to “put themselves into someone else's shoes” (i.e., empathy) and to imagine their thoughts and feelings. Children and teens...

Advantages and Disadvantages of Labeling Your Child with an "Autism Spectrum Disorder"

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"I know I should take my child to get assessed for ASD. Based on what I've learned from this site, I'm sure he has the disorder. But I'm torn because He may get treated poorly if he has that 'label'. Thoughts?!" Receiving a diagnosis of Asperger’s (AS) or High Functioning Autism (HFA) can be a mixed blessing. Some individuals are happy with self-diagnosis, while others prefer to get a “formal” diagnosis so they can know for sure whether or not they have an autism spectrum disorder. If your child receives a formal diagnosis of AS or HFA, there are going to be a number of benefits as well as difficulties associated with getting “the label.” In this post, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of getting labeled with a developmental disorder. First, let’s look at some of the disadvantages of labeling: 1. A label is simply a cognitive shortcut (i.e., a term used to represent a series of characteristics), but it is useful only if people are ...

How to Stop Confusing Kids on the Autism Spectrum

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==> More parenting strategies for "confused" kids on the autism spectrum can be found here... More resources for parents of children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's : ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook ==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Audio Book