Need help to develop an autism workshop... are you willing to share?

Kristine - posted on 01/29/2010

Renee, thanks so much for your reply. There were many great ideas, and I was very impressed. There are a few I wish I'd thought of when mine was younger! I would love to stay in touch. I hope to do something affordable, which is why I've chosen the workshop route as opposed to individual work. But, we'll see how it goes! Take care, Kris Shepherd

Kristine - posted on 01/29/2010

Thank you so much for yor input, you've made some really important points for me to consider. I'm very greatful for all that you have shared, it's exactly the kind of input I was hoping for. Would love to stay in touch. I'm actually not in the US, although I was born there, I have lived in Australia now for the last 25 years! I hope you and yours are well, and thanks again, Sheila!
regards,
Kris Shepherd

Renee - posted on 01/23/2010

1. c) I wish I had known to ask more about what to do at home so school and home goes more smoothly (earlier than I did) I was just so intent on getting things set up with home therapy it didn't always match what they were doing at school then.
2. A typical challenging behavior was hand flapping - which my friends (pre-diagnosis) thought was cute (I know) and I thought it was crazy until I found out that kids with autism did it. It took a while to find out how to re-direct my son and he finally just stopped doing it. It was a simple, "hands down please".
3. ABA - successful all the way, we did not do Floortime. I would never to the GF/CF diet I don't think that would work for us and I don't believe in it although I'm sure there are many people who swear by it.
4. Books - get a hold of as many as you can afford, beg borrow and steal if you have too. We have an organization called SARRC here in Phoenix, unbelievable!
5. 1. Dealing with tantrums, 2. Leaving the house by himself; 3. Eating issues, limited his diet to like 9 items.

FYI - I tried to market myself 2 years ago as a "first steps helper" kind of person to newly diagnosed families and people could just not afford me and I couldn't do it for free. I still give people advice if they call me but I cannot do extended meetings, etc. as I have to work 2 jobs to earn a living BUT I do loving helping people. I find that being a parent with a child on the spectrum is very isolating and that is probably the biggest issue with parents in my opinion. On top of that, 80% of marriages fail after the diagnosis of the child so that too contributes to the isolation of the family. I think you should provide some information to the parents too to hopefully buy some time for their marriage coming apart, since the statistics are so high for divorce.

Sheila - posted on 01/23/2010

Hi Kristine,



Being in Ontario, a lot of my early intervention information is absolutely useless to the US system. In fact, it is absolutely useless in another province!



However, for what it is worth:

a) A Red Flag for Autism pamphlet, bullet form, should be available in every family physician's office.

b) Three key websites for parent friendly info should be in that pamphlet

c) If it exists, and I don't think it does, an Autism Hotline....where you can phone and talk to someone for support...not therapy for your child, just you need a voice on the other end to help ease parental isolation....that phone would never stop ringing.



Top Ten Strategies (for my son...your child might be very different)

1) a simple pop tent in your home for sensory breaks

2) visual schedule to outline your child's day

3) visual timers to count back so your child's transitions are eased

4) chairs which fit snuggly, so child is grounded, feet on ground

5) trampoline, small, for energy burning

6) yoga ball...sit on it, roll on tummy, lie on it...a hundred and one uses

7) an air mattress on the floor to throw yourself into (child does this)...and walk on

8) DO NOT USE PRONOUNS!!!

9) Be as consistent as you can possibly be

10) Do not blame your child for that which they cannot control

11) Be open My child is living with autism. Practice saying it, get used to saying it...accept it....it is a part of your child, just like freckles!!



Define it:

This is a neurological disorder...it is not a label, it is not an excuse for bad behaviour...your child's brain processes information differently from a typical child.



Sensory integration disorder:

often side by side with autism, but not necessarily so. Again, your child processes sensory information differently and can heighten their anxiety level.





There is lots more to say, but I will keep it to this so that others can add their insights and experiences.



Feel free to contact me. I have been teaching for almost twenty years, taught special education with high needs children for seven, and have an almost six year old son living with autism. Been on both sides of the fence.



Sheila