AspergerSyndrome.org

Video modeling is helpful in teaching social skills according to recent studies. “Results from [a] meta-analysis indicate that both video modeling and VSM meet the Council for Exceptional Children’s criteria for evidence-based practices. Improvements were most evident in the area of functional skills, followed by social-communication skills and behavioral functioning.” - Excerpt from Bellini, S. & Akullian, J. (2007)

Check out www.modelmekids.com for social skills training videos on topics such as saying hello, joining a conversation, waiting, reading social cues, taking turns, staying calm, and more.

In an historic decision, a family whose daughter has Autism was awarded compensation when it was determined that vaccines contributed to her development of Autism.  The compensation will come from a federal fund that compensates victims of vaccine-related injuries.   The ruling states that the girl’s pre-existing mitochondrial disorder had disposed her to autism and this was “significantly aggravated” by the vaccines she received as a toddler.  And the debate goes on…

 Story

What is the best treatment for Asperger Syndrome?  Here are a couple of approaches you may have heard about:  Some espouse Applied Behavior Analysis, a behavioral approach to teaching young children that involves breaking down tasks into their smallest pieces and using rewards to promote appropriate behavior.  Another treatment approach for Asperger’s is modifying the diet.  The gluten free casein free diet has been touted as a means of helping children with Asperger Syndrome.  It involves eliminating dairy and wheat from the diet, plus some other foods.  Corn may also need to be eliminated.  Here are a couple of websites that deal with both of these topics:

 ABA: http://rsaffran.tripod.com/aba.html

Diet: http://www.gfcfdiet.com/

A group in California helps connect young adults with Asperger Syndrome with one another.  The group of 20something met to play golf on an outing arranged a group started on the Meetup Web site by Escondido resident Lisa James and her daughter, Wendy Walker.  Here’s the link: http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/02/17/lifeandtimes/17_27_352_16_08.txt

This article confirms what I suspected about Asperger Syndrome and problems with sleep, particularly falling asleep.  Check out http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071101085018.htm

In a nutshell, a study showed that 50 percent of the children with Asperger’s were reluctant to go to bed, and notably 50 percent felt unrefreshed when they woke up in the morning.  The next step:  what to do about this.  If anyone needs a good night’s rest to decompress it is children with Asperger Syndrome, who often feel overstimulated during the day.

This is a nice list of famous people, real and fictional characters, with Asperger’s or Asperger’s features.  Check it out: http://www.geocities.com/westhollywood/stonewall/4502/famousac.html

Researchers in Texas believe that people with Asperger Syndrome may benefit from practicing skills in a virtual world known as “Second Life.”  The online therapy pairs the avatar (or icon that represents the person) of a clinician from the University of Texas at Dallas Center for Brain Health with that of a person with Asperger’s.  Then, they practice conversation skills and other interactions with one another in the virtual world.  The idea is that mastering the skills online will help the patient feel more comfortable with those skills in real life.  In an article on the ABC News website (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/OnCall/Story?id=4133184&page=3), the technique is referred to as “virtual socialization.”  Do the skills generalize from the virtual to the real world?  Perhaps, and hopefully more studies will research the benefits of this type of therapy.  In any event, it seems that the connections made and confidence built would nonetheless be helpful to a person with Asperger Syndrome.

I have to admit it:  I love the honesty of children with Asperger Syndrome.  It’s asking with curiousity  of an elderly person ”how old are you?” when a child of a similar age would know to not ask.  It’s saying to the host of a dinner party “I don’t like what you cooked, I prefer chicken.”  Now in a young child, this may be typical across the board.  But in a typical child of 10, 11, or say 12, those instincts are stifled.  But I never have to wonder what my son is thinking.  He says it! 

Why do private schools often specifically exclude children with Asperger Syndrome when it comes to their admissions policies?  Children with Asperger Syndrome have normal to high IQs, and are often very academically inclined.  Yet so many schools for children with learning disabilities specifically exclude them and highlight that they are for children with language based learning disabilities such as dyslexia.  Is it so much easier to deal with those learning issues than some of the behavioral issues that come along with Asperger Syndrome?  I think it is unfortunate, both for the children and the schools.  For the children, it is a choice that is closed to them that may be a better option than public school.  And for the schools, who are losing out on the potentional and diversity that a child with Asperger’s can bring.

And would we want it to be cured?  Asperger Syndrome is considered a disorder, yet many including those diagnosed with Asperger’s, believe it is simply another variant of human personality.  They feel that it is cruel to try to get children through behavior modification to conform to so-called societal norms.

My feeling is that behavior modification works, and that the goal should be to allow a child to develop skills that will help him or her function more easily in life.  Until the day comes that society accepts and supports those who are different, those who are different will have to navigate in the world.  And having those extra skills and added training that comes with behavioral interventions is a step in that direction.