@OgreMECH I agree. What do you think is the best term? Lately I have just been referring to the autism spectrum and dropping the disorder term, and using the word "difference" instead of symptom- but I think these can be improved on - your thoughts?
@ASDspecialist Calling it a "condition" is nice and neutral to me. Calling it a disorder seems to be not only insensitive but also inaccurate since it is not always disadvantageous and sometimes helpful.
@ASDspecialist My wife works with people within the autistic spectrum and I've never heard her use the "disorder". I don't think it's a British thing though because I just got an e-mail from someone saying ASD spectrum (which is an issue of English and how to say things, another debate perhaps!)
Thank you. I've just started researching how best to teach people within the autistic spectrum and this was a great place to start that research.
@Comfortism Thanks for stopping by. I definitely think it's good to minimize the use of the word Disorder. When the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) comes out in 2013, they are proposing to no longer use the terms: Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD.NOS and instead use the term: Autism Spectrum Disorder. So unless that changes those of us in the field who have to use the term for certain purposes like diagnostic reports ....
My son is VERY strong willed, and he doesn't give up easily. He is very smart and come up with things that he has heard about weeks ago... He has good memory. :)
My elementary age students with ASD have exceptional powers of observation. They are the ones to spot a small wasp nest on playground equipment or an abnormal reading on the security instrument panel in the school lobby.
My wife, a daycare worker was working with her peers on a mural. At the time they were painting the gym walls with hand prints. There were hundreds of prints - different colours, and angles. After a brief discussion with her, I proceeded to leave the gym. As I left, a pattern in the walls caught my eyes. I blurted out "thats strange they are all left hands", then walked out the door not thinking any more of it.
Later that day, my wife confronted me. She said that it "weirded" the staff out!
My elementary age students with ASD have exceptional powers of observation. They are the ones to spot a small wasp nest on playground equipment or an abnormal reading on the security instrument panel in the school lobby.
I have Aspergers and I have a knack of fixing electronic things and being good at it-I told the neuropsychiatrist that diagnosed me that I understand the working of the computer monitor sitting on her desk better than I understand people in a social setting.
I tutor students and have asperger's however, I am honest , I am caring and I am empathic because, I care how the students feel. I know they may not like getting extra help reading but, I turn it into reading together using enthusiasm, reading games and other reading lessons together.
It has come as a huge shock to me to realise that when I comment negatively on some affiliation that my NT friends have, they take it as a comment on themselves!
Thats how closely identified they are with their likes and dislikes, their beliefs and opinions.. when someone close to them reminds them of their seperateness, they panic in a way thats difficult for us aspies and auties to understand. And they dont seem to realise it themeselvers.. but will launch into defensiveness ... weird!
A great idea, thanks.. but Neuro Typicals major preoccupation is with social status and ranking. They are absolutely dependent on this for their sense of self and identity. I see it as a Personality Disorder, but because they are in the majority its us who get the label. My strength is that I can give an opinion on something without feeling biased because of my friends' different opinions. And I dont feel insulted when my friends dont like my music or Art.. as this doesnt reflect badly on me!
Our daughter is 3, diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and aside from being very loving (especially to her younger brother) and PACKED with energy, we've noticed that she's a bit of a number cruncher. Language is still on its way, but for a year now she arranges numbers sequentially into the multi-digits (counting up or down, and with gaps of any size anywhere in the group) and quickly solves rather complex puzzles. Is this the same for any others?
Ok, that got cut off-anyway-what I'm trying to say is, b/c my daughter is so young, + I'm not yet sure how this particular "strength" figures into helping her /us yet, but I'm sure it will-like, even if she doesn't yet understand what we tell her, at least she remember's it! I use visuals(PECS) to help w/communication anyway, but sometimes she blows my mind with the stuff she remember's, as well as other areas that she seems hyper-intelligent in that haven't emerged so clearly yet. Thanks.
I have been thinking about this alot lately, trying to focus on positive aspect-my daughter is almost 4/diagnosed w/PDD last yr, + we're REALLY struggling w/her daily living skills. One thing I've noticed though is that she has an incredible memory-esp. auditory(like a photographic memory of stuff she hears-she can hear a song 1x + knows the words) Now, her receptive language is a little weak, but hey, its a start. Music is a definate therapy tool also. Not sure where this'l help, but...
One way to remove the stigma: stop calling it "autism spectrum DISORDER"!
OgreMECH 8 months ago
@OgreMECH I agree. What do you think is the best term? Lately I have just been referring to the autism spectrum and dropping the disorder term, and using the word "difference" instead of symptom- but I think these can be improved on - your thoughts?
ASDspecialist 8 months ago
@ASDspecialist Calling it a "condition" is nice and neutral to me. Calling it a disorder seems to be not only insensitive but also inaccurate since it is not always disadvantageous and sometimes helpful.
OgreMECH 8 months ago
@ASDspecialist My wife works with people within the autistic spectrum and I've never heard her use the "disorder". I don't think it's a British thing though because I just got an e-mail from someone saying ASD spectrum (which is an issue of English and how to say things, another debate perhaps!)
Thank you. I've just started researching how best to teach people within the autistic spectrum and this was a great place to start that research.
Comfortism 7 months ago
@Comfortism Thanks for stopping by. I definitely think it's good to minimize the use of the word Disorder. When the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) comes out in 2013, they are proposing to no longer use the terms: Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD.NOS and instead use the term: Autism Spectrum Disorder. So unless that changes those of us in the field who have to use the term for certain purposes like diagnostic reports ....
ASDspecialist 7 months ago
My son is VERY strong willed, and he doesn't give up easily. He is very smart and come up with things that he has heard about weeks ago... He has good memory. :)
mtvbsb86 8 months ago
@mtvbsb86 Sounds like he can really persevere and is very bright!
ASDspecialist 8 months ago
One of my brothers strengths brought by Aspergers is that he is a walking encyclopedia of anything and everything comic book related.
autiger2012 8 months ago
@autiger2012 Great point! I have seen many times that encyclopedic knowledge, courtesy of Aspergers!
ASDspecialist 8 months ago
My elementary age students with ASD have exceptional powers of observation. They are the ones to spot a small wasp nest on playground equipment or an abnormal reading on the security instrument panel in the school lobby.
bpanitz 8 months ago
My wife, a daycare worker was working with her peers on a mural. At the time they were painting the gym walls with hand prints. There were hundreds of prints - different colours, and angles. After a brief discussion with her, I proceeded to leave the gym. As I left, a pattern in the walls caught my eyes. I blurted out "thats strange they are all left hands", then walked out the door not thinking any more of it.
Later that day, my wife confronted me. She said that it "weirded" the staff out!
yu244720 8 months ago
My elementary age students with ASD have exceptional powers of observation. They are the ones to spot a small wasp nest on playground equipment or an abnormal reading on the security instrument panel in the school lobby.
bpanitz 8 months ago
@bpanitz Excellent point!! Thanks for joining in the discussion!
ASDspecialist 8 months ago
Strengths: dependable, reliable, consistent, honest, trustworthy.
Where many in his age group may be here today, gone tomorrow, my son is there at work everyday, with a positive attitude.
kowallf 8 months ago
@kowallf You son has some great strengths. Thanks for joining in the discussion.
ASDspecialist 8 months ago
I have Aspergers and I have a knack of fixing electronic things and being good at it-I told the neuropsychiatrist that diagnosed me that I understand the working of the computer monitor sitting on her desk better than I understand people in a social setting.
n3htz 1 year ago
I tutor students and have asperger's however, I am honest , I am caring and I am empathic because, I care how the students feel. I know they may not like getting extra help reading but, I turn it into reading together using enthusiasm, reading games and other reading lessons together.
shadowgreyador 1 year ago
It has come as a huge shock to me to realise that when I comment negatively on some affiliation that my NT friends have, they take it as a comment on themselves!
Thats how closely identified they are with their likes and dislikes, their beliefs and opinions.. when someone close to them reminds them of their seperateness, they panic in a way thats difficult for us aspies and auties to understand. And they dont seem to realise it themeselvers.. but will launch into defensiveness ... weird!
k8monsta 1 year ago
A great idea, thanks.. but Neuro Typicals major preoccupation is with social status and ranking. They are absolutely dependent on this for their sense of self and identity. I see it as a Personality Disorder, but because they are in the majority its us who get the label. My strength is that I can give an opinion on something without feeling biased because of my friends' different opinions. And I dont feel insulted when my friends dont like my music or Art.. as this doesnt reflect badly on me!
k8monsta 1 year ago
Our daughter is 3, diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and aside from being very loving (especially to her younger brother) and PACKED with energy, we've noticed that she's a bit of a number cruncher. Language is still on its way, but for a year now she arranges numbers sequentially into the multi-digits (counting up or down, and with gaps of any size anywhere in the group) and quickly solves rather complex puzzles. Is this the same for any others?
davidvidalnyc 1 year ago
Ok, that got cut off-anyway-what I'm trying to say is, b/c my daughter is so young, + I'm not yet sure how this particular "strength" figures into helping her /us yet, but I'm sure it will-like, even if she doesn't yet understand what we tell her, at least she remember's it! I use visuals(PECS) to help w/communication anyway, but sometimes she blows my mind with the stuff she remember's, as well as other areas that she seems hyper-intelligent in that haven't emerged so clearly yet. Thanks.
Jewelz4208 1 year ago
Hi-
I have been thinking about this alot lately, trying to focus on positive aspect-my daughter is almost 4/diagnosed w/PDD last yr, + we're REALLY struggling w/her daily living skills. One thing I've noticed though is that she has an incredible memory-esp. auditory(like a photographic memory of stuff she hears-she can hear a song 1x + knows the words) Now, her receptive language is a little weak, but hey, its a start. Music is a definate therapy tool also. Not sure where this'l help, but...
Jewelz4208 1 year ago