aspergers syndrome-does anyone know about it?

jessielady

hi
im a childminder for a 5 year old boy who has receently been diagnosed with aspergers syndrome, to be honest i dont know much about it, but his parents want me to home school him, but i dont know what that will be like - any ideas please??
thanks
jessie

Crucifix

It's not the most accurate source, but Wikipedia would be a good place to start if you just want to find out about the disorder.

smashey

You might have more luck here. Also, why don't you google it?

muffler

As advised, google it and you will find a lot of info on it.

I think you may get more advice on the parenting forum so I will move this but will leave a redirect.

The Black Oil

It's not a medical condition, it's neurodevelopmental (how the brain is wired) and supposedly a 'mild' form of Autism.

Take some of the stuff you find via Google with a healthy pinch of salt. This book about the condition is quite well known.http://www.amazon.com/Asperger-Syndrome-Guide-Parents-Professionals/dp/1853025771/sr=8-1/qid=1157811351/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7427959-8965763?ie=UTF8&s=books

http://www.tcd.ie/disability/information/for_staff/supporting_students_with_aspergers.php More related to adults but may have some pointers.

Get to know this kid well. He will have certain routines, certain things we may find "normal" may upset him greatly or make his anxiety shoot through the roof. Presumably there's a psychological report so if you're allowed access to that see what recommendations have been made for all his needs, not just education but social and communication ones too. There may be many subtleties to how he behaves, bits and pieces may be obvious but don't just go by the diagnostic criteria as they can be a bit meh and speak to generalities.

It may take the parents a while to accept this and even find out what the condition is if they're not already aware of it.

If you don't mind me asking what are your qualifications? He may need multidisciplinary support, let's hope he gets it as early intervention is crucial for his progress.

http://www.autismireland.ie/

http://www.aspire-irl.org/

Deadevil129

Asperger's syndrome is a very very diverse syndrome. While it haas a list of basic symptoms each person will react to different things with different severity, and have different habits and quirks.

Google it and try to have a look at the DSM criteria. That'll tell you the symptoms that need to be present for a diagnosis to take place. Since he was diagnosed at age five it either means his parents and/or teachers were clued in on the disorder or he might be kinda severe, or on the other hand, might just have a habit that marked him out as noticibly different to the other kids in school. Go back nine or ten years ago and kids with this syndrome were much more likely to be called "shy" "lazy" "troublesome" "uncoperative" "difficult" ect ect, a whole list of things.

While asperger's syndrome can occur with learning difficulties usually the kid will have an average to above average IQ, so bare that in mind when teaching them. I could talk for hours on this subject, and there's a million and one things said about it but you might be wise to post a message on the forums here www.wrongplanet.net you'll have to join but most members of the forums there have asperger's syndrome, or know people with it so they'll be able to give you the best advice.

Nevyn

http://www.aspire-irl.org/

Is the link to Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland they have links ot their forum and email and information there.

http://www.cmn.ie/cmnsitenew/training/lorraine/mywebsite2.html

is a dubin support group


http://www.thechildrensclinic.ie/autism.html#aspergers

he terms Autism Spectrum Disorders and Pervasive Developmental Disorders refer to a group of disorders characterised by delays in the development of basic functions including socialisation and communication. This group of disorders includes Asperger's disorder (Asperger's syndrome) and several other disorders in addition to autism.

http://www.thechildrensclinic.ie/autism.html#aspergers

Asperger's disorder

It is not clear if Asperger's is a separate disorder or a form of autism occurring in individuals with normal or high intelligence. Individuals with Asperger's have:

* Impaired social skills
* A narrow range of interests
* Repetitive routines
* Speech and language peculiarities
* Problems with non-verbal communication
* Motor clumsiness

Children with Asperger's have been described as "too bright and articulate to qualify easily for supportive services, too impaired to function well without support."
Impaired social skills

* Children with Asperger's tend to be loners who have no close friends, who avoid other children of the same age, and have no interest in making friends.
* During playtime or lunchtime at school, they may be alone on the playground or in the library reading about a special interest.
* They may play with children who are much older or much younger than themselves, rather than with children of the same age.
* They lack the ability to respond with empathy to another person. If, for example, another child points out an interesting object, the child with Asperger's simply do not understand that they are expected to share this interest.
* They don't sense the feelings or emotions of others.
* They usually have little interest in playing competitive sports or games.
* They don't understand that there are unwritten rules governing behaviour and interactions with other people. A child with Asperger's may point out that "That lady is very fat" and not understand why you say "Shush." After all, his observation was correct.

A narrow range of interests

* Children with Asperger's often have a special interest. Young children might be interested, for example, in dinosaurs, transportation (trains and trucks), or super-heroes such as Batman and Superman. As children mature, the special interest shifts to a subject or topic such as science, astronomy, or a sport.
* This special interest may be an effort to provide a topic of conversation for a child who finds conversation difficult. It may be a way of showing other people that he is smart, or a way of relieving anxiety.
* The important point is that the special interest dominates the child's life. He/she accumulates objects or information and has no time for anything else.
* A special interest may last just a few weeks and then be replaced by another interest, or may become the means of earning a living. An interest in astronomy, computers, or meteorology may lead to a career.

Repetitive routines

* Children with autism spectrum disorders often retreat from the chaotic, uncertain world into the safety of a routine which makes life predictable and tolerable.
* Such routines seem to become especially important following a change in living accommodation, a change of school, or similar stressful event.

Speech and language peculiarities

Children with Asperger's have difficulty with conversation

* A child may talk too much and seem to be reading a script as he talks at, rather than with, another person. For example, a child might start a conversation by approaching a stranger in a shop and asking "Do you know who won the All Ireland football final in 1955?" This may than lead to a one-sided discourse on football.
* A child may talk too little. He may not know the answer to a question and "freeze." If uncertain as to what to say next, a child might say nothing for a long period, or might change the topic of conversation to his special interest, causing the other person to become confused.
* A child might interpret literally what somebody says to him, and have difficulty with expressions such as "You walk on ahead," or "Pull your socks up."
* A child with Asperger's may interpret language so literally that it leads to problems with such tasks as answering the telephone. For example, when Richard's grandmother called and asked "Is your mother there?", Richard said "No" and hung up.
* A child may be confused by teasing, and not recognise the humour.
* Similarly, a child may be confused by lies or "white lies." A child with Asperger's may not understand that when Aunty Mary asks if her hair looks nice, she expects you to reply "Yes, it's lovely" rather than "No. I don't like it."
* A child might have speech that lacks the normal variation in pitch, rhythm, and inflection, resulting in speech that is flat and monotonous.
* A child might seem to be very polite, and have perfect grammar and pronunciation, but be pedantic. For example, instead of saying "Thank you for the milk" he might say "I am very grateful for your generosity in providing me with refreshment."

Problems with non-verbal communication

* Children with Asperger's find it difficult to make eye-contact when talking with somebody.
* They are unable to read emotion from facial expression, and have a limited range of facial expressions themselves.
* They are unable to give a message with the eyes or use their hands to express themselves, and often have a peculiar stiff gaze, seeming to look through people rather than at them.
* They stand too close to others and encroach on the other person's "space."

Motor clumsiness

* Children with Asperger's often have difficulty with gross-motor tasks. They are often late in starting to walk, and at school may have difficulty with catching and throwing a ball or balancing.
* They also have difficulty with fine-motor tasks such as buttoning, zipping, handwriting, and tieing shoelaces.

jessielady It hink you are being asked a hell of a lot.
Have the childs parents had the diagnoses confirmed and what are they doing about getting thier child the best care and education ?
Are they going to be willing to pay you to attend course and to pay for those courses to ensure that the right things are be done for their child ?
Is homeschooling even the right thing to do with a child with Asperger's given that they need to improve thier socail skills.

TequilaMockingBird

I think if you are already trained in homeschooling and have a bond with the child, it may work. But if there is no bond, which an Aspie child needs desparetly, then I don't think its fair on the child. Aspergers needs to be addressed from as soon as recognised (not from diagnosis, as they may be in their sixties by then!!) to give this child his/her best shot at a good happy life. Its not something to take a chance on. Good luck.

cathy01

The North Fingal
Autism and Aspergers Support Group


A new support group for family affected by Autism and Aspergers syndrome will meet on

DATE: Wednesday 31 January

TIME: 7 O' clock

VENUE: Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan Co. Dublin

It’s hoped that people can get together and discuss their concerns around the condition and share experiences and learn from each other. Feel free to just come along on the night.

For more information please contact
Tina Collins or Fiona Halligan
At FADE CIL, phone 8417685.


*This event is kindly sponsored by The Bracken Court Hotel.

Saruman

Look for a book called "Born on a blue day"
This guy has it, he is like rainman but can function normally. He holds the world record for reciting pie!
Anyway you just see the world differently accroding to him and numbers are seen by him as colours and shapes and things.
In his case he just feels uncomfortable in new surroundings etc until he gets used to it.