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| FAQ's with Author
and Speaker, Karen Leigh Simmons |
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| Subject: verbal tangents
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 Question
- I am a caseworker assisting a single
mother with her 11 year old son who has been
diagnosed PDD, mild MR and ADHD. I am working
with him on temper tantrums, much kicking
etc. However, he gets on what I call a verbal
tangent (is this not what it is called, can't
find any info on it.) For example, he wanted
to be a fireman and went on about it for days
asking the same questions over and over. The
answers you give him don't sink in and so
he repeats them over and over. This happens
with an array of questions re: different topics.
I took him to the fire station for a tour
and it seemed to help him work through it,
but this can not be done with all tangents.
For example, he wants to go to Boston to be
on his favorite tv show ZOOM. How do you get
them to stop obsessing on the same questions?
Is there a phrase or word that are used for
this behavior that I can look up more information
on treatment?
Thank You,
Lori
Answer -
Hi Lori, Often verbal temper tantrums are
referred to as "rage" and or "melt-downs"
and is more of a behavioral concern, as
it is difficult to de-escalate the particular
situation. What you referred to as a tangent
is more of what comes with autism (PDD)
in their obsessive, compulsive, repetitive
behavior.
What works best with my son with high functioning
autism is to gently distract him, steering
him into another interest. Social stories
also work well.
You can check out: www.exceptionalresources.com
for many resources in this area.
Couple of suggestions would be: A Treasure
Chest of Behavioral Strategies A Work in
Progress New Social Stories hope this helps
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| Subject: inclusion
and autism |
Question
- I am a student at teacher training college,
and as part of my course I have chosen to
look at the benefits and drawbacks of children
with severe autism being included into mainstream
school. Do you think that autistic children
can be ssuccesfully included into mainstream
schools ? and do you know of any differences
in the policies of inclusion between britain
and other countries ?
thank you
Sarah
Answer
- Hi Sarah, There are so many different
variables such as the age of the student,
what type of support, size of the school
and class, quality of instruction etc. I
am all for inclusion as long as it benefits
the child the most. Many times, though,
blanket inclusion (across the board) is
done without these considerations for what
is actually best for the child. Peer pressure
can certainly be harsh on some of these
kids and its questionable as to whether
the benefits outweigh the detrements. Everyone
wants these kids to fit into society as
best as possible. It's just that we cannot
"fix" autism.
I know this is not an exact answer, but
then how can one answer the question: How
big is a tree? The truth is they come in
all sizes. You could do a search on Google
using the keywords: autism+policies+britain
best of luck
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| Subject: immunizations
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Question
- How can I keep from being forced by the
schools to give my autistic son immunizations
when I do not have a religious or medical
exemption, but have studied some and do not
feel it is in his best interest to do so at
this time?
Dawn
Answer
- I would tell them you are choosing not
to have your son immunized for personal
reasons that effect your own belief system
and see what they say. I haven't had this
experience directly but would encourage
you to go to our site: www.autismtoday.com
and vote on what you think of immunizations
causing vaccines. Your input counts!
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| Subject: Discrete
Trial Teaching |
Question
- How effective do you think Discrete trials
are if they are only used in the classroom
setting and not reinforced or used at home?
Should all Autistic children have some form
of communication system in place at both home
and school? What is available to use ? I am
familiar with PCS and PECS.
Dee
Answer
- From the information I have read, Discrete
trials should be used both at home and in
the school setting. Consistency is key.
Not all children with autism have the same
severity of communication challenges though
they do have some challenges. I know PECS
is good and am not too familiar with PCS.
Teach Me Language is very good
You can check out resources at: www.exceptionalresources.com
hope this helps
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| Subject: PDD |
Question
- My 3 year old child has been diagnosed
with PDD ( even though I totally disagree
and are 99% sure he has full autism) I'm a
single mum on benifits, are there any benifits
I can apply for in the caring of him?????
Thanking you
Deborah
Answer
- Deborah, PDD is the umbrella term for
autism. When a child is this young, autism
is difficult to accurately diagnose as it
is assessed by observing behavior over time.
Your child may very well have a more severe
form of PDD, and if so will receive this
by 5 or so. This should not affect the funding
you receive. The support you receive will
depend on what is supported in the area
you live.
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| Subject: siblings |
Question
- "I have 5 children and two of them
have been diagnosed with PDD. Specifically
my 4th son has Asperger's. I am finding that
my other children are beginning to notice
that these two are not "normal"
and yet I will still see them acting in some
of the same ways (ie.hand flapping,obsessing)
I know that siblings take after each other
but I wonder how I keep things flowing for
my other children? I guess what I am really
asking is for any information that you might
find helpful for a household that is busy
on the best of days but when you throw in
a diagnosis or 2 of PDD then things can be
downright frantic."
Thank you
Sincerely,
Jenn Osier
Answer
- Sounds familiar, I have 6 kids and two
of them are special needs. What is
the age span? All I can say from experience
is that eventually they will
"get it". Just explain to the
best of your ability at whatever level they
are and soon they will understand. Having
said that, they will always be
siblings and frantic just evolves over time.
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| Subject: siblings |
Question
-"Today I took my children ages 4
and 2 to the park. My 4 year old was recently
diagnosed with high functioning autism and
like he does so often he had a full blown
tantrum.My other son was playing just fine.
I ended up leaving the park moments after
i had arrived to appease the 4 year old.Once
again "punishing" my 2 year old
by leaving. How can I avoid this in the future?"
Thanking you
Kate Moro
Answer
- Your two year old will learn eventually
what it is all about though it is difficult.
I can remember when my one son was always
looking up to his big autistic brother to
show him that he cared and of course, Jonny
never did show his emotions. It used to
break my heart! Now Stephen, the younger
brother understands. Be patient, it will
all work out in the
longrun.
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