And the Anxiety Rises.... It's Holiday Party Time

Tis the season to have meltdowns....

The season of hustle and bustle, work parties, school parties, church parties, irregular bed times, broken routines, and extreme chaos is upon us. Wow, sounds fun, huh? It can give even the most calm and rational of us a moment of panic, but what does it do to our kids on the spectrum?

Before you over schedule your family for the holidays, consider the stress that this "fun party" may have on your child or friend with Autism.

Where we see festive lights.... He may see flashing, unpredictability that bothers his vision

Where we see many friends and familiar voices... He may hear loud chaos and see too many faces that cause sensory overload

Where we smell holiday food....He may smell unfamiliar food that he doesn't enjoy

Where we hear our favorite carols....He may hear songs that are annoying and irritating

Where we are excited to stay up a bit later.....He may feel tired, sleepy, and ready to be home.

Where we are happy for the break in routine.....He may feel confused and helpless


Tips to Make the Holidays Happier for Everyone

- Pick only one or two parties to attend
-Always make it home for bed time
- Use Social Stories to prepare your child for the situation
- Avoid excessive sugar and other foods that impact your child negatively
- Have a fun bag of things for your child to do while at the party

State Testing with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome and What it Means for Your Child

The dreaded topic of..... STATE TESTING



Most of the school year in public school is focused on state testing- preparing for, practicing for, and taking tests. There are benchmark tests, pretests, reading and math tests, plus normal weekly classroom tests starting in 2nd grade, earlier in some places. The focus on testing is stressful for some students. It causes anxiety about passing the test and passing the grade for parents as well.

Modified state tests are currently non existent in Oklahoma. Students on IEPs can have accommodations for the regular test, if they take the paper and pencil version, and if they are currently receiving these accommodations in the classroom. However, there is no longer a modified test. There is still portfolio assessment for lower functioning students, but it is highly suggested that these be utilized in very small numbers.

So, what does this mean for your student? Will he be able to pass the state assessments? Will he be able to graduate from high school? Is graduating from high school important for you and your student? Is traditional public school the best place for students on the spectrum? What other options are available for your child?

These are questions that you should carefully consider and think about and address with your child's IEP team. Talk to them about ways to help your student prepare for these tests. Ask about the substitution tests and modified projects. Read on the Oklahoma State Department of Education website about these tests and become informed so that you can make decisions that are best for your child and your family.

Please leave your thoughts, suggestions, and comments below.
If you have questions, please email me at tulsaautismtutor@gmail.com or message me on Facebook!

It's Game Time (and not the electronic kind!)

The stereotype is (and is mostly true) that kids on the Spectrum LOVE video games. Many would rather stare at a computer screen or video game screen than anything else in the world. While this does keep them content and occupied, it is not in the child's best interest to let him be self-absorbed like this for hours.

Video games, television, and other electronics let your child disengage from the world. He doesn't have to think about or consider others or interact with reality. Kids with spectrum disorders need social skills practice at every available opportunity. So, let's look at gaming a bit differently...

Board games. I know you are thinking, "Yeah right, like that is going to happen.", but it can. It may be a struggle at first, but if you make it fun and appealing, it will be awesome!

Start by researching to find a board game similar to one of your child's favorite games. For example, Angry Birds has board games based off the App games. There are other games featuring Star Wars characters, UNO featuring Diary of A Wimpy Kid, etc.

Then, take your child with you to the store to pick out the game. This way even though it is your idea, he has ownership of the decision.

Next plan a family time party. Have a few healthy snack favorites. Have a friend over. Whatever you think will help. Make it anxiety free!

Playing board games is an excellent way to encourage social skills among family and peers. Everyone has to sit together and pay attention to the same thing. This is rare in our smart phone world. It will help your family have fun together and bond in new ways, while helping your child on the Spectrum with social skills.

 During the game you can be aware of what is going on and use teachable moments to encourage proper social interaction and to work on theory of mind skills.

After your child realizes the games are fun, it doesn't have to be a big production every time. You will have him hooked. Then you can encourage these games for school rewards and play dates with friends instead of computer or video games time.

Social Skills and High School

Most high school students feel awkward and nervous at times. They fret about what to wear and who to sit with at lunch. They want a date for the Homecoming dance and a best friend to hang with after school. 

Most students with Asperger's want these same things;however, they have no idea on where to start to make these things happen. How do we know what clothes are cool or how to ask someone on a date? We learn for others- from observing how these social situations work. Asperger's syndrome lessens the ability to pick up on and understand these social skills. So, we must teach these to our kids.

How do we teach these? We teach social skills through modeling, role play, and with a great deal of patience. One cool way to do this is to video peers role playing certain situations and watch the video with your child and then talk about . Also use "teachable moments" that occur everyday to point out social skills- like how to make small talk, how to act in a restaurant, or how to ask a friend over to hang out.

Always be patient and encouraging. Remember that your child wants to be better at this, but that it is very difficult to understand. If you need ideas on a specific social skill, email me for tips.

The Week Before School Starts: Some simple things to do to prepare

A list of easy ways to prepare your child 

for the back to school transition

• Start Setting the Alarm- Get back into routine now. Set the alarm, get up, get dressed, have breakfast, do a little school work

• Visit the School- This is a perfect time to visit the school. It is quiet, no kids are there, very few distractions. Walk around, visit the cafeteria, gym, and other important areas. If possible, find out where your child's classroom is and visit there. Go more than once if you can.

• Read a book about Back to School- This will give you a platform to discuss any worries your child may have. Here is a list to look for at the library http://buggyandbuddy.com/our-favorite-childrens-books-for-back-to-school/

• Make a Social Story- Write a social story about back to school for your child to read twice a day until school starts. He can take the story with him to school as well. If you need help writing one, email me.

• Make it Fun- Only say positive things about school and hide your dread. Plan a day to pick out a new backpack or lunch box or hide the school supplies in the house and make a scavenger hunt. If your child senses your anxiety, then it will only make things worse, so start out with a positive attitude!

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It's that time of year again... Your child gets a new teacher!

    The New School Year is Upon Us....Here We Go Again!

    

     

                   (This smiling, happy kid can be your with a little planning ahead!)

So, every year in August you get to "start over" with a new teacher, which has it's pluses and minuses for sure. This can be very stressful for you and your child as you "break in" the new teacher to learning about Autism and specifically how Autism impacts your child. Wouldn't it be nice if she could know it all from the start? I know that teachers are overwhelmed with lots to do at the start of a school year, but they also want to understand their students and get the year started smoothly.

One way I help ease parents' stress (and mine) is to meet with parents the week(s) before school starts and even in the spring of the previous school year. This gives the parents and child time to explore the school, classrooms, and to get to know the staff.


If you or your child is anxious about school starting, call the school or email the teacher and set up an informal meeting. Another way to ease into the school year is with a FAST Autism Profile. This profile is a free download in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. While you are there, check out my Autism Powerpoint for teachers. This too can help teachers and staff understand Autism and how to help kids on the spectrum.

If you have questions or concerns about the new school year or how to communicate with your child's school, email me at theresaswinginthere@gmail.com.

Start planning now for the best school year yet!

Obsessions and Fixations (Or we don't want to hear about Pokemon anymore!)

So, your child probably has a favorite subject: tornadoes, Thomas the Train, Pokemon, My Little Pony, earthquakes, etc. Chances are you have read him books about it, watched shows about it, and heard every fact about Pikachu that you ever care to hear. How can you teach your child some conversational social skills?


The Three Things Rule

Teach your child that he can tell you three things about his topic, then that is it for a said time period. You may have to start out small: 3 things for 20 minutes and set a timer and work up from there.

Engaging in Conversation

Practice conversation skills in the car or whenever you have a few extra minutes. Say, "What do you say/do when you knock on the door and someone answers?" or "What do you say when you meet someone for the first time?" practicing these skills beforehand will take some anxiety and awkwardness out of these situations.

If you know you have a party or family event soon, focus on scenarios specific to that event. Explain what may happen at the event, who may be there, and what people may be talking about. Emphasize that  not everyone cares about his topic of interest and that he needs to ask questions about other peoples interests after saying three things about his interests.

These strategies will help your child begin to think about others, their thoughts, and their feelings, making him more aware of the world around him. Also encourage him to learn about new things outside of his specified area of interest. 


Have you used other strategies that worked well? Comment below and tell us about them!

Autism Spectrum Disorders After High School

So your child is graduating  from high school this school year... then what? This is a tough topic for all parents, but parents of graduates that are on the Autism Spectrum may find themselves with extra stress. Many questions loom including:  Can he get a job? Can he go to trade school? Will he be able to pass college classes?

In order to find the most appropriate after high school placement for your student, it is best to start planning now, if you haven't already. While he is in high school, he may be eligible for services to get him started on the right track. Ask you IEP team about Vocational Rehabilitation services or similar services offered in your state. If you do not have support at the school, contact a local agency and speak to an advocate that can help you. In Oklahoma TARC is a great place to start. ARC is available in many states as well. They will be able to help you decide what your next steps are. Your child can try out programs at workshops, in group settings, jobs with a coach, and  independent jobs. He may benefit from going through a job training program.

If he is on the college track, take him to sit through some freshman classes and take notes. Have him meet with a college professor and adviser to evaluate the situation. Have him dual enroll in high school and one college course to try it out.  Most colleges have a department of disabilities that can tell you about what services they offer. Most have tutoring, audio books, braille books, and other services.

Many resources are out there for you, but you must plan ahead to take full advantage of these. Make some contacts this summer and schedule an IEP team meeting as soon as school starts to get your child on the path to success after high school!

What Can Students on the Spectrum do? LOTS!

For the past few weeks, I have been reminded of how much students on the Autism Spectrum can accomplish when we hold them to high expectations and encourage them. Sometimes, unfortunately, these kids may not get the attention they need to reach goals and stay engaged at school. However, when given attention and positive reinforcement, they can achieve so much!

 Before I started with my summer kids, I heard many stories about which student couldn't do this or that. Of course, I ignored these comments and went forward with my optimism and determination, and these same kids that I was told couldn't do anything have accomplished so much!

Examples:

1) This week we planted our sprouted seeds and transplanted plants that were overcrowded to other pots. They were really into putting the dirt into the pots, helping carry the pots, and make sure everything was watered. At least two of them have great interest and potential of working in this area.

2) The students learned about parts of plants. They learned the flower, leaf, stem, and petals. Then they drew, labeled, and colored their own flowers. They turned out great!

Why do these students work for some adults and not for others? Simple. If they don't have to, why would they? Just like any kid, these students test boundaries to see what they can and can't get away with. If you define your expectations and stick to them, then usually the student will try hard to meet your expectations.

So, remember that while working with our kids can be quite a challenge, it is worth it to remember what the goals are for that child and not lose or change your expectations. It is worth the challenge to be able to watch them try new things and make progress.

Techniques that can help make the transition to high expectations easier include: now and then charts, visual schedules, and having a predictable routine.

If you have questions about routines, visual schedules, or anything mentioned in my blogs, please email me @  theresaswinginthere@gmail.com

Growing Food

What better way to encourage our kids to eat healthy than to get them involved in growing their own fruits and veggies?

 Many individuals on the Autism Spectrum are on gluten free or other diets, or they are picky eaters and will only eat a few foods. When kids are engaged and invested in a garden, they are more likely to try the foods and to be excited about sharing them with their families.

Last Thursday our class started our own seeds using simple, everyday items. We simply wet a paper towel, put two seeds on the paper towel, folded it over twice, and put it in a Ziploc bag. We then placed the bags in the window sill.(Visual)

Today, when we opened the bags, the kids were amazed! Every bag had at least two sprouted seeds in it. They are very excited about planting their sprouts this week.

Our summer focus is Careers in Agriculture. There are so many hands on activities that include reading, math, science, and transition skills in this unit! It is awesome to see the kids excited about the day and what we will be doing. These activities prepare them for a possible job in agriculture or in the food industry. With these skills, they could go on to work at a green house, a plant nursery, farmer's market, or grocery store. We also work on general social skills that will help them in many situations.

I also help to instill in the students a love of eating healthy foods. This lesson will last a life time and impact their lives in many ways. Hopefully, at the end of the summer the students will take home happy, healthy plants to share with their families and to remind them to make good eating choices!

Careers and Transition

Summer is a time of fun and relaxation for many. However, this down time could be spent helping prepare your student for the future. What a great time to practice job skills and discover career interests. There are many things around the house you can do to begin this process. Engage your child in household chores, paying attention to what he enjoys and what skills he has. Try gardening, cooking, construction tasks, organization, etc. If the student is able, discuss these tasks and what he does and doesn't like about each one. Take notes and share your findings at his next IEP or transition team meeting. No one knows your child as well as you. Make your summer meaningful in two ways- career discovery and spending quality time with your child! Your child and his teacher will appreciate the skills gained over the summer!