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It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips
Posted on Tuesday, April 15 @ 10:22:07 EDT by | 
April is the month for Autism Awareness and it got me thinking. I thought about what we could do to create more awareness and understanding during this month and came up with something I think would be a great different approach.
Let’s start off and continue the month by communicating. I believe the best way we can understand autism as well as understanding the so called “normal” world is by opening our minds and having honest communication. Some people may be doing this already, but it doesn’t hurt to continue or strive for more.
Parents (and other non-autistic people):
Communication:
Talk with your autistic child. Let them speak about what interests them. Listen to them. Even if your child is nonverbal, you can still learn a lot by sitting next to them and just being there. If it’s cars they are interested in, talk about cars. If it is math, do math problems with them. If it is insects, it doesn’t hurt to go out in the park and follow them as they catch a few bugs.
My dad and I had lots of fun just sitting down on the pavement next to an ice-cream stand. We sat and watched really tiny ants move a huge chunk of pecan. It was too large for any one ant to carry, but with combined effort they moved that huge pecan into their nest. We learned about teamwork and cooperation through watching the ants.
Touch:
If you wish to give your child a hug, give them a FIRM hug. I was cruising by wrongplanet.net and found quite a few autistic people reported enjoying strong firm hugs over a light touch. For me I love massages, firm ones. A nice strong scratch on my back is welcome. Make sure to ask your child first. If they say no or lightly shove you away, don’t take it to mean they don’t love you.
Eye contact:
Don’t expect your child or an autistic person to make eye contact. If they do, encourage them. If they don’t then don’t punish them. For many autistic people eye contact causes intense anxiety and makes communication more difficult. You’ll be surprised how much your child understands and remembers what you say, even if they may not look like they pay attention. They may or may not be able to verbally express that they are paying attention.
Autistic children and adults:
Communication:
(Autistic adults)
Be assertive! After all how does anyone know you need something unless you speak up? I know too often I expect people to read my mind and think the same way I do. The more I mature, the more I realize that isn’t the case.
If you’re not comfortable talking verbally, try to speak up. It may be awkward, but who knows maybe you’ll enjoy it, or maybe not. I think for a few days in a month is not a bad attempt.
Without fear or embarrassment speak up tell people if you have trouble recognizing faces, say so. If you have a hard time remembering someone’s name, tell them so. I found if I tell people I am bad with names, they are pretty forgiving. After all there seem to be a number of people in the NT population that suffer the same problem.
If there’s something bothering you and you can do something about it, do so.
If there’s a flickering light in the classroom or in your office, don’t put up with it or wait for it to trigger an anxiety attack. Go down to the office and get action. Speak up, say you are autistic, have autism and that light is interfering with your concentration and ability to function. And if they don’t take action right away, keep bothering them. After all you know yourself better than anyone else.
(Autistic Children):
If someone is bullying you, speak up and say, “Hey I’m autistic, what’s your problem!” or “What does it feel like to be such a cruel and insensitive person?”
I wish I could have been that assertive my earlier years, rather than letting the bullies have their way and slinking back thinking I was flawed. It’s the bullies who are flawed not you. They are disabled. Bullies need to be classified as disabled and cured! (seriously)
If your mother/father are showing an interest in what you are doing, let them play along. This may help improve bonding time as well as help them to understand you.
Touch:
(Written with children in mind, but can be taken for adults as well):
Try asking for a hug from your parent or close friend. If they don’t give a firm hug, give them a firm hug and let them know you like hugs that way. If you don’t like hugs, try to step out of your comfort zone just a few rare times.
I don’t like being hugged by acquaintances, but if they want to hug me, I let them as long as they prompt me before they start hugging.
If you like back rubs or your back scratched, let your parent know. Ask them for a back-rub. One great nonverbal cue I use is I sit on my dad’s or mom’s lap (although after I got bigger, I’d sit next to them or in front). I took their hand and put it on my back. I moved their hand back and forth to get them started on the scratching motion.
Eye contact:
If it is painful to look into people’s eyes, you can try looking at their face. If that is difficult, make sure to tell them that just because you aren’t looking into their eyes, doesn’t mean you are not paying attention. NT’s seem to be confused that lack of eye contact means not paying attention. If you are able to, repeat parts of what your parent said to let them know you listened.
Written by Wrong Planet member MJIthewriter who was diagnosed with Autism at age 6. It's clear from this article that MJIthewriter is incredibly intelligent so it's amazing to find out that she was incorrectly diagnosed with severe mental retardation as a young child due to doctor ignorance.
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Re: eziiau (Score: 1)
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JOB FAIR FOR ASPERGER COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS PLUS INFO ON HOUSING (Score: 1)
by matthewloscialo Tuesday, May 27 @ 10:20:46 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Asperger Job Fair for college student to young adults to adults with asperger.
We will be also taking a housing and town home for young adults with asperger syndorme
From: ASPEN –ADULT ISSUES OF HUNTERDON COUNTY
We are holding a job fair for Asperger Syndrom adults (18 years and older)
June 22, 2008 From 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. A representative from Allies, Inc will be present to talk about job coaching if needed.
Health Quest
310 Highway 31 North
Flemington NJ 08822
908-782-4009
For more information call Asperger Friends please call Matthew or Carolyn Loscialo at 908 236-6153
Sponor is www.artworkglobalgallery.com LLC
He are get lot of people coming to the event. This
is a event not to miss out on.
College students with asperger syndrome and young adults and adults with asperger syndrome will be at the events.
lots of company will be doing interview that day so bring your resume.
There is a $5.00 fee if you are not a member of Aspen. You can see up to Aspen We are a chapter of Aspen called the Hunterdon Adult Chaper of Hunterdon County NJ.
We have have guest speaker at the event taking about asperger syndrome and housing and about jobs for asperger syndrome this is a event not to miss out on.
ALOT OF COLLEGES ARE SENT THERE STUDENTS WITH ASPERGER SYNDROME TO THE JUNE FAIR.
June 22, 2008 From 3 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Health Quest
310 Highway 31 North
Flemington NJ 08822
908-782-4009
PLEASE COME AND HEAR MORE INFORMATION ON ASPERGER SYNDORME.
I HAVE PEOPLE COMING OVER THE USA TO THE JOB FAIR TO HEAR ABOUT HOUSING AND TOWN HOMES AND JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH ASPERGER SYNDROME. lOT OF COMPANY WHAT TO LEARN AND HEAR FROM ASPERGER COLLEGE STUDENT AND YOUNG ADULTS TO ADULTS WITH ASPERGER SYNDROME. |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by AntsMom Tuesday, May 20 @ 12:47:35 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Heres is a site with great ways to show your support!: http://www.cafepress.com/totallyautistic |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by zacknolden Thursday, April 24 @ 22:48:29 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Hey Guys,
We are launching "The 3rd Annual Charity Car show Sunday, April 27, 2008" a car show for the benefit & welfare of special & autistic children, as well as children with disabilities brought to you by Edelbrock. These little children are hoping for your minimal support. Remember: Helping is not a burden. To you guys & this site's Moderator, THANK YOU!
Full Details:
http://www.revvedup4kidz.com/ |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by zacknolden Thursday, April 24 @ 22:49:20 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Hey Guys,
We are launching "The 3rd Annual Charity Car show Sunday, April 27, 2008" a car show for the benefit & welfare of special & autistic children, as well as children with disabilities brought to you by Edelbrock. These little children are hoping for your minimal support. Remember: Helping is not a burden. To you guys & this site's Moderator, THANK YOU!
Full Details:
http://www.revvedup4kidz.com/ |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by MJIthewriter Saturday, April 26 @ 04:57:12 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | I talked with my mom via email and found out the first assessment didn't consider me "severely" retarded, but in the mild to moderate range. They still didn't think I could possibly make it to high school. Depending on which family member I talk to, my grandma mentioned they didn't think I'd make it to the 6th grade...
Shows how much the docs know... Oh yeah at age 6, the first psych wanted to diagnose me as a childhood schizophrenic... I wonder how my life would have been had my parents not gone to get a better evaluation? Thank God they headed over to the Waisman Center and got me the PDD dx.
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by Liverbird Thursday, April 24 @ 08:35:35 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Thanks, Alex. As always it was insightful and well put.
I think we can all do a part in bringing a voice to the higher functioning end of Autism. We need to stop worrying about apologising for who we are and working on helping the world to accept us AS we are. Myself? I have a whole wardrobe of t-shirts and buttons. Whether they want to or not, they are going to learn at least one thing about Asperger's! |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by ProfessorX Thursday, April 24 @ 12:24:04 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | In regards to April being Autism Awareness Month well, I've been doing my best to help people in my general surroundings obtain a greater understanding of what it means to be autistic in the relative sense through explanations and other forms of communicable expression.. Thanks Alex for this post. |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by Hodor Thursday, April 17 @ 18:12:00 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Very good and informative article, well done.
There is one thing I would like to flag up though:
If someone is bullying you, speak up and say, “Hey I’m autistic, what’s your problem!” or “What does it feel like to be such a cruel and insensitive person?”
This probably wouldn't work. Bullies won't have any sympathy if they know you've got autism - in fact, they might use is as an extra thing to use against you. My personal opinion (and I might be wrong) is that a child should avoid their bullies as much as possible. When that's not possible, hitting back sometimes works. The important thing, though, is not to show fear or weakness. Stating that you're autistic won't, unfortunately, earn any sympathy with bullies. |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by Mum2ASDboy Saturday, April 19 @ 06:52:33 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Thank you! I really should print that out and put it in my ASD book for days when everything gets too much.
I now accept my son has a hard time looking directly at my eyes, that I have to ask him for a cuddle/hug and accept it if he says no and other things you have mentioned.
I can also read parts of this article to my son so he understands that is it ok for him to be the way he is. |
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Re: It's Autism Awareness Month - Here are some Tips (Score: 1)
by ouinon Wednesday, April 16 @ 04:04:18 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I liked the remark "Bullies are disabled and need to be cured. Seriously!" I agree.
I think that the times in my life when I was a bully, "cruel and insensitive" to others, rather than being bullied, were quite possibly linked to the effect that ( sensitivities/intolerances to the food opioid and painkillers of ), wheat, dairy and sugar had on me, of transforming life into one huge MMORPG, in which noone else was very real, and certainly didn't feel anything.
Nice article. Positive.
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