Autistic Daily

strollers on Flickr

Sue Pederson, a psychologist, and her colleagues at the Fraser Child and Family Centre in Minneapolis have recently found that ipod use can help those with Asperger’s learn to fit in socially.

They’ve come up with the idea to program an ipod to act as an “inner voice” or prompt, telling those with Asperger’s how to interact in various social situations.

Basically, short videos and slides would appear on the electronic devicea, and similar to a “Social Stories” type of teaching, these videos and slides would guide Asperger’s individuals in daily interactions.

“I think it’s going to spread like wildfire,” said Pederson.

Source

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While some individuals with Asperger’s syndrome have difficulty perceiving other people’s states of minds, new research has indicated that a little “push” might do the trick in helping them understand what the other person is thinking.

In the Sally-Anne False Belief Test, an actor places an object underneath a box and leaves the room. Another actor comes in and places the same object underneath a different box. When the original actor returns, researchers track eye movements of the subjects to see if they follow where they think the actor will look for the object.

Normal individuals look underneath the box the actor placed it originally. But the eyes of those on the autistic spectrum look at the box the object was moved to after the original actor left the room, which researchers suggest indicates autistics have trouble understanding the first actor doesn’t have the same viewpoint as they do.

In an experiment using the Sally-Anne False Belief test with Aspergers individuals, researchers found those with Asperger’s looked randomly from box to box unless they were prompted to verbally express which box the actor would look at, which would result in a correct answer.

Researchers suggest this new data could result in programs designed to train Aspergers and others on the spectrum to make more conscious efforts to assess others’ motivations.

via scientificamerican.com

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Donna Williams, host of Oddpod, had the chance to sit down with Asperger’s expert Tony Attwood for an hour long podcast.

Here are a few clips from the interview where Tony discusses the problems that occur when a neurotypical partner might feel abandoned in a relationship with an Asperger. Tony suggests that NT partners might benefit from changing their beliefs that their partner is responsible for all their social pleasures.

“And so, with a couple, I’m very concerned that anyone would make the suggestion that that those with Asperger Syndrome are by nature then unable to have good relationships with their partner or be good parents. I mean, that’s a terrible insult to those with Asperger’s because some of my friends and people that I know with Asperger’s Syndrome, I know that they are very good parents, they are exceptionally good parents, and they can be exceptionally good partners. So having Asperger’s Syndrome means that there are certain interpersonal confusing areas and difficulties, but they’re not insurmountable, and you can work on those.”

“It’s a problem of…A difficult relationship may make one or both partners depressed. But that’s a typical phenomenon. I don’t think it necessarily needs a specific label that is exclusive to those with ASD.”

“It’s putting a lot of responsibility onto one person, who then becomes confused over, “What does my partner expect me to be? She’s expecting me to be someone that I find very difficult to be and is artificial.” So, if the person wants a greater social life, etc., well, they get a social life, but [go to a?] party on your own.”

Read the entire transcript of the interview or listen to the podcast at oddpod.donnawilliams.net.

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gailf548 on Flickr

The Autism Society and AMC Entertainment have teamed up to provide sensory friendly movie theaters for families with individuals with autism and other disabilities.

The sensory friendly theaters first hit the box screens in August of 2008 and will return this summer, with movies such as Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Besides being able to make noise without fear of being reprimanded by the theater attendants, participants in the sensory friendly theater experiences can bring their own foods into the show, such as gluten and casein free snacks and the film’s volume is lower than normal.

The sensory friendly films are offered nationwide, with 81 theaters participating.

To find a theatre near you that participates and for more information, visit autism-society.org/sensoryfilms.

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thetransporters.com

The Transporters is a group of DVDs that teach children with autism how to recognize emotions like happiness and sadness.

Released in the United States this week, The Transporters places human faces on vehicles like buses and trolleys.

The DVD series was created by the Autism Research Center at Cambridge University, where the famed autism researcher Simon Baron-Cohen teaches and conducts research.

“To teach autistic children something they find difficult, we needed an autism-friendly format,” Baron-Cohen said.

It it known that autistic children often become fascinated by vehicles that move in a consistent manner, such as trains.

According to The Transporters website, just 15 minutes a day can lead to significant differences in children learning to recognize emotions.

via pottstownmercury.com

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http2007 on Flickr

Autism on the Seas is a cruise ship business dedicated to providing the cruise experience to individuals and families with autism and other developmental disorders, such as Cerebral Palsy, and Down’s Syndrome.

Collaborating with Royal Carribean International, the group has been provides cruises since 2007 that offer destinations such as Alaska along with therapeutic tools tailored to those on the spectrum designed to prepare for the cruise like PECS-(Picture Exchange Communication System) or Social Stories.

From the website:

“A special “Social Story” has been created to assist our families traveling with children on the spectrum. The Social Story is designed to assist children with what they can expect on the first day of the cruise. A printable link to the Social Story is available to our guests approximately 2-4 weeks prior to their cruise. We are constantly working to improve our service and provide families with the tools to ensure a successful transition on their vacation.”

Flexible payment plans are available, so don’t the economy prevent you from sailing the seas!

via Portland Autism and Parenting Examiner

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Joseph Cote on Flickr

Parents of teenagers have enough to worry about on prom night, but mom and dad of an autistic teen going to the dance may not sleep a wink that night.

Luckily, for students at The Help Group’s Bridgeport School for autism and other developmental spectrum disorders, prom night was fun, memorable, and safe.

Weeks before the big night the school prepped students with prom night etiquette classes (the parents of neurotypical teenagers might vouch for this too) and ballroom dance lessons.

Dance lessons were not only provided to help students keep the beat that night, but are a part of the curriculum designed to improve functional skills in other areas.

“In addition to learning the steps and keeping the beat, dance involves learning appropriate physical boundaries, social dance position, proper posture and the social rules of dance. It’s a dynamic interaction that requires making eye contact, integrating sensory input, coordinating movement, and the ability to relate to others.”

Shhh. We’re sure the students aren’t interested in knowing they were doing their homework that night!

via news.prnewswire.com

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