Articles

1. The Role of Paraprofessionals in the Classroom- By Carol Gray
2. Coping with the Reality of severe Autism- By Nathan Ory
3. Autism and the Holidays- By Maureen Bennie

Creative

1. Poetry- A Song for Malcolm- By Monique Edmonson-Davis
2. Artwork by Nolan Ganske

Opinions

1. Poll- Do you think dogs can help people with autism?

2. Results- Results to the question, Should children with autism be included in regular schools regardless of the severity of the autism?

Autism Q & A

1. Questions and Answers dealing with Autism- Karen Leigh Simmons

Submitting articles and getting published

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Article 1. The Role of Paraprofessionals in the Classroom- By Carol Gray

Change can be relied upon to teach that which is very obvious with speed and precision. Inclusion, for example, taught us that a special education teacher couldn't be in four classrooms at once. This, of course, was a disappointment; the special education teacher was busy in the second grade and needed at the same time by students in three other classrooms. School districts responded by employing instructional assistants to help: paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals make it possible for teachers, speech therapists, and other professionals to be many places at once. Specifically, it enables them to be in the one place that is ultimately the most important: directly assisting a student with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)

To see more of this article, visit www.autismtoday.com/?01

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Article 2. Coping with the Reality of severe Autism

General concepts for supporting emotionally fragile individuals who display maladaptive patterns of adjustment.
How are care providers to support a person who is not connected to others, who lives in-the-immediate moment, who reflects and magnifies other's emotions, and who has little continuity of experience?

1. Vulnerability to "meltdown."

The inner place where a person's emotional attachments were formed is the place that people "come back to" when there is nothing else happening around them.

Who are you when there is no one else around? A person who is comfortable with yourself? A person who can fill your time with personally meaningful activity? A person who has to fill the quiet moment with frantic activity? A person who is worrying about all the unanswered questions in your mind? A person who is anxious about whatever may be happening next? Where do you go in your mind when there is nothing outside of you to organize your thoughts and actions?

To see more of this article, visit www.autismtoday.com/?01

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Article 3. Autism and the Holidays- By Maureen Bennie

It's that time of year again - the holiday season. Everyone is busy shopping for Christmas gifts, the malls are packed, company is coming to your house, school is out, presents need to be wrapped and the tree needs decorating. The holidays are magical from some and stressful for others. For children with autism, this time of year can be particularly overwhelming on the senses. Lights, crowds, traffic, line-ups, and visitors can be upsetting for children who need predictability and routine. Most therapy programs are in low gear during the month of December and school programs break for two weeks. How to you keep children with autism on an even keel during the hectic holidays?

To see more of this article, visit www.autismtoday.com/?01

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Creative

1. Poetry- A Song for Malcolm- By Monique Edmonson-Davis

remembering your first words
remembering how it was that so few followed
for so long

remembering your first steps
remembering the impulse flight response unexplained
for so long

remembering your first hug
remembering the merciless anxiety that had you cling
for so long

you may one day know
(you may never know)
how empty my life's purpose before you came to be

you may one day know
(you may never know)
how each and every triumph forever changes me

your victories transcend all understanding
your accomplishments surpass all scope of imagination
and on darkest days, your voice sings to my spirit
"M-A-L-C-O-L-M spells Malcolm"
translation: it's going to be alright

now, you speak!
boldly, assertively, confidently
and they stare
they don't know

now, you leap!
grandly, fiercely, but willing to be reigned
yet they stare
they don't know

now, you bid me farewell..
as often as you clasp my waist
still they stare
they don't know
(Lord, they don't know)

but for me
I will celebrate every victory
with a parade of my best intentions
and floats decorated with my love
and bands trumpeting all my dreams for you

and I will sing this song,
a song for Malcolm
with a choir of God's angels

and if autism leads you to echo
then sing loudly,
sing proudly
my beautiful boy

2. Visit www.autismtoday.com/?01 to see the art of Nolan Ganske

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Opinion Polls

1. Do you think dogs can help people with autism?

To vote on this question or to view the results so far, visit www.autismtoday.com/?01

2. To see the results of our last opinion poll, "Should children with autism be included in regular schools regardless of the severity of the autism", visit http://www.autismtoday.com/poll_regularschoolinclusion.html

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Autism Q&A

1. Questions and Answers dealing with autism- Karen Leigh Simmons, Author of "Little Rainman"

1. Subject: re; my son's proper diagnoses
Question - Hi,
This is my first time ever reading about autism and connecting it to my son's behavior. So far the medical community, school, and myself are very perplexed as to what exactly is going on. My son is 13 and since the 2nd grade Ben was diagnosed with ADD but no medication has helped. Here is an intro to Ben: he is "in his own world" most of the time, has 1 friend, wets his bed every night, drums his fingers constantly, talks to himself (even when people are around sometimes),very slow moving, handwriting very difficult and messy and most of the time only gets his name on the paper (doesn't produce), he's very verbal, uses big words, in University level reading comprehension, but stays tuned into a teacher for about 5 seconds then he's gone into his head, very inflexible with change, gets locked into certain thoughts and behavior......I'm sorry this is so long, but does this sound like possible autism to you? Thank you for taking the time.Karen

Answer - What would be best, Karen is to go to our site, autismtoday.com under About Autism under characteristics to see what you think. That would help a great deal.

karen@autismtoday.com

ps you could also pick up a copy of my book "Little Rainman" and see if it fits.
2. Subject: Is a psychiatrist a good start?
Question - Hello, it is me again to ask you your thoughts about my 8year old son that has Aspergers. Would going to a psychiatrist help him? I am thinking if we could figure out why he tics, or to at least make sure he doesn't need to be on any meds. I feel he does not, and neither does his teacher. But the tics are getting worse. I'm so scared to trust people I don't know to tell me about what is good for my son and what is not. I would like to hear from people who are going through this with their kids. You know getting it from the source and from experienced people already dealing with this would make me feel a little easier and knowledgeable about making decisions. I don't mind his strange ways, God knows I'm as strong as it gets. But the tics worry me. He tells me he is fine and doesn't want to talk to the docs and social workers about it. But what am I supposed to do? It is apparent to anyone who is around my son that he is different and the tics can leave people to think he is in pain or that something is wrong. My whole deal is I don't want it to effect his schoolwork or his life. But Aspergers does effect it all. I tell him I love you and you just do the best you can, and that will always be good enough. But is that thinking enough for a child let alone an adult with AS? Thanks for all your info, Toni

Answer - Yes, I believe a psychiatrist would be a good start. Be sure to find one who specializes in autism and aspergers.

karen@autismtoday.com
3. Subject: High functioning autism
Question - My five year old son has been diagnosed with high functioning autism. My question about him is that is regression normal and if so how much regression should I expect?

Answer - Regression isn't the word I would use when referring to high functioning autism. I would get my hands on a few good Asperger's books and begin reading....reading....reading.
If I were you, I would also, depending on where you are located, attend a conference that Catherine Faherty is presenting and you will learn a great deal. We are hosting a conference in Canada next month and it will be great for all the delegates.
Keep your mind open; look for the possibilities and not the negatives. My son with HFA is playing football this year.
karen@autismtoday.com
To see more questions and answers, visit http://www.autismtoday.com/autismqa.htm
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Submitting articles and getting published

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· the latest medical information
· humorous or inspirational stories
· resource information
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You can submit your article by e-mail to info@autismtoday.com. We can also work with you to publish and market your books, videos and other resources.
 
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