Autism PDA

Test Topic

null@example.com (David Wilsom) — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:55:35 +0000

Test Topic

How do you feel about the level of support adolescents with autism rec

null@example.com (karenat) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:36:37 +0000

Hello,

My name is Karena and I am a Psychology MSc student at UEL. I am about to start a research project which focuses on the care for adolescents suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder. The aim of this project is to investigate the ways in which support for adolescents with autism changes in the transition through to adulthood.

In order to complete my project I am looking to interview 12 participants. Ideally, I am looking for 6 adolescents with autism/Aspergers and 6 parents/caregivers of adolescents with autism/Aspergers. The questions will be related to your experience of autism and how you think your child has (or you have) been supported in the transition through to adulthood and whether this differs to the support they/you received at school. This project will also look at how effective planning and partnership is between the health, social care, education, housing and employment sectors in aiding this transition through to adulthood.

This is a really great opportunity for you to voice any opinions on a topic that has received little research. If you think that you may be interested please let me know, my e-mail address is u0917589@uel.ac.uk if you would like any more details. I am happy to meet you wherever you may feel comfortable and can travel in order to accommodate your needs. I would be really grateful for your time and effort in assisting me with my research project. Thank you very much.

Kind Regards,

Karena

Good or Bad experiences from SS?

null@example.com (JeanneA) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:15:43 +0000

I was just thinking about my experiences over the years with SS. I have to say I feel myself and my family have had nothing but good experiences from them.

At first quite a few years ago now I was very hesitant about their involvement. It was suggested to me that it would be in my interests to have Glen assigned with a SS. Which after much thought I did. I was worried after hearing stories about SS taking kids away from their parents etc. silly I guess but it was always in my mind back then.

Over the years though I found the service was excellent. One particular SS arranged for Glen to have overnight respite when he was a bit older and another SS assigned to Glen actually helped to get him into the care home that he is currently in.

Have you got any involvement from social services? I would love to hear from you whether it is good or bad experiences. I do know some parents worry about getting SS involved but I have nothing but good experiences since their involvement with Glen.

Education in a school

null@example.com (sweetie_candykim) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:30:11 +0000

Hi I am an architecture student. I am currently designing a school that supplements mainstream eduction for autistic children from ages 5-8 for my final project.

I have researched into sensory dysfunctions and I have decided to create separate spaces for a hypersensitive child and hypersensitive.

The problem is my building is a bit superficial at the moment. Each room is designed for a different sense. Like I have a tactile room with lots of different materials etc. But the main problem is I don't know what a child will actually do in that room. I don't want it to be almost like an exhibition or installation - especially the sight room.

I have a speech therapy room, a gym for occupational therapy, spaces to develop fine motor control, listening pods, outdoor gyms.
What do autism specific schools focus on? Do children learn how to deal specifically with their sensory dysfunctions?

Any help will be greatly appreciated? or even if you give me an area to look into (I can find loads of information about dysfunctions, but not methods of therapy)

Thank You so much!

Clocks going forward

null@example.com (JeanneA) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:42:25 +0000

Hi, since the clocks went forward Glen has been very unsettled and aggressive, does this kind of thing affect any other youngsters who are ASD?? I would be interested to find out. Glen's behaviour also changes when the seasons change.

help

null@example.com (gplion) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 01:48:18 +0000

ok people at the time of writing this I need help I am the dad of an autistic child of 16 and really do not know how to cope I love my daughter and my wife but this is just not fair I dont want anything for free but just dont know how to handle things at this time wont go into detail at this time but someone please help me think i just need someone that understands.

can you spare five minutes for my university questionnaire?

null@example.com (charlene88) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:42:53 +0000

Hi,
I am completing a dissertation study on parents whose children have Autism. Considering the amount and types of social interactions they have. The questionnaire comes in two parts and should take no longer than five minutes. I am hoping to have a good amount of responses to that my findings can be as accurate as possible.
Thank you all in advance.

Deputyship

null@example.com (JeanneA) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:14:46 +0000

I have just recently been advised by Adult Social Services to apply for Deputyship under the Court of Protection regarding my son Glen who is approaching 18. This means that if I'm appointed I will be legally responsible for Glen who lacks capacity to make decisons for himself. Has anyone else been through this procedure and if so how long did it all take?

Mentoring?

null@example.com (cydlei) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:03:36 +0000

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and finding all of the information very helpful in learning how to properly deal with PDA. Our son, Jax, is 14, was diagnosed in utero with Klinefelters and has since also picked up the following conditions/labels:
Developmental Delays
Receptive and Expressive Language Delays
Sensory Integration Disorder
Tourette's Syndrome
PDD-NOS
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Mood Disorder

Of all these labels, PDA seems to best fit our "little enigma". I say that jokingly because there is nothing "little" about him anymore. After starting the requisite testosterone shots (absolutely essential for a boy wiht Klinefelters), he has grown about 6 inches in the last 6 months and taken on all the characteristics of a VERY "pubertal" young man.

"Enigma" is a very appropriate label, as he has forever stumped all of us. He has a large contingent of medical specialists, has been on a variety of medications, and has had an IEP since preschool (we live in the U.S. and IEP stands for "Individualized Education Plan" which I believe you in Great Britain would call a "Statement"?). He is "mainstreamed" in most of his classes but has had access to a Resource Room and Resource Teacher since the beginning of Middle School. This affords him a place to decompress and a group of Special Ed teachers and Aides who are specialized in dealing with children with Emotional Disabilities. The concept of PDA, however, is unknown to everyone here.

When I first came across the concept of PDA, it was as if I finally recognized just what was underlying most of Jax' problems. He is a master avoider, a master manipulator, a "Master Seargent", and a very volatile Jekyll and Hyde. He always has been. He seems to live his life in a constant Fight or Flight mode.

As this is a transitional time (he will enter High School next Fall) we have seen quite an uptick in meltdowns and "tantrums", especially at school. I dread the ringing of the phone, because it is often the school calling to report the latest incident. I just fielded one such call a few minutes ago.

As you well know, the usual rewards/punishments one would use for a NT child do not work and every day presents new challenges as to how to help Jax learn from these experiences and figure out how to get along in the world. I have recently wondered if Mentoring services might be of use. We have tried Social Skills Groups, Play Therapy, One on One Therapy, etc. but Jax seems unable to generalize lessons from these setting to the real world. Would the minstrations of a skilled mentor be likewise futile?

Do any of you see any merit in such a service?

Re study of autism

null@example.com (michbeth) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:46:13 +0000

Can someone help or give me some guidances for the following questions? I have a very hard time to find the correct answers.

1. If the concordance rate is higher in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins, this is evidence for a genetic component. False or true.

2. The concordance rate is 40.6% in monozygotic twins and 7.4% in dizygotic twins. This is not evidence for a genetic component. False or True.

3. If the sibling recurrence rate is lower than the concordance rate in dizygotic twins, this is not evidence for a genetic component. False or True.

Yoga for Health

null@example.com (Theobold) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:26:12 +0000

Yoga is good for both mental and physical health.
It prevents us from a number of diseases especially heart problems, and blood pressure.
It also very effective for reducing stress and depression.
It is good exercise for improving the fitness and stamina.

Asperger's Participants Needed

null@example.com (loz_88) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:27:52 +0000

am an MSc student at Goldsmith’s University in London conducting a study for my final project and am in great need of adult (16+) participants on the autism spectrum. The aim of the study is to examine the social skills of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Difficulties in this area are likely to affect their ability to form meaningful relationships and to address everyday social problems in interpersonal settings. One fundamental limitation of the current research surrounding this area concerns the methodologies used to assess problem-solving. Hypothetical tasks provide an insight into the different approach of individuals with ASD to problem-solving, yet they lack ecological validity. Real life situations elicit more emotion and are much less likely to be influenced by the social desirability of the researchers.

My study will thus involve an investigation of real life hypothetical problem solving behaviours of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It will involve asking participants how they would solve various problematic situations, as well as recalling memories of their own experiences. It is envisaged that the findings will have a direct benefit on individuals with ASD through future interventions and support groups. I would be so grateful if anyone with either high functioning ASD or asperger's syndrome in either Hertfordshire or near London would be willing to participate.

If you are interested, please email me: ps103ld@gold.ac.uk

HFA Participants

null@example.com (loz_88) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:26:45 +0000

I am an MSc student at Goldsmith’s University in London conducting a study for my final project and am in great need of adult (16+) participants on the autism spectrum. The aim of the study is to examine the social skills of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Difficulties in this area are likely to affect their ability to form meaningful relationships and to address everyday social problems in interpersonal settings. One fundamental limitation of the current research surrounding this area concerns the methodologies used to assess problem-solving. Hypothetical tasks provide an insight into the different approach of individuals with ASD to problem-solving, yet they lack ecological validity. Real life situations elicit more emotion and are much less likely to be influenced by the social desirability of the researchers.

My study will thus involve an investigation of real life hypothetical problem solving behaviours of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It will involve asking participants how they would solve various problematic situations, as well as recalling memories of their own experiences. It is envisaged that the findings will have a direct benefit on individuals with ASD through future interventions and support groups. I would be so grateful if anyone with either high functioning ASD or aspergers syndrome in either Hertfordshire or near London would be willing to participate.

If you are interested, please email me: ps103ld@gold.ac.uk

Residential Homes

null@example.com (JeanneA) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:37:25 +0000

Hi as most of you are aware my son Glen who is coming up for 18 in April has been in a residential home since May 2011. He has taken a while to settle but now is really progressing very well. I am very pleased with what the staff are doing in encouraging Glen and to helping him become more independent. I've noticed a lot of difference in him on his last 2 home stays in particularly, he is definitely wants to do more for himself, which I let him do.

I would like to get other parents views who are in the same position as me, i.e. their youngster is in a residential home, are you happy with the care your son/daughter is getting? I look forward to hearing your experiences.

Also as my son is nearly 18 Adult Social services will be taking over the funding, they have visited Glen's care home and are extremely pleased with what they saw and are recommending that Glen stays there at least until his education ends in July 2013. Funding hasn't been guarenteed as yet as it has to go to a 'panel' so I hope an pray that funding will be granted. All professionals involved with Glen are in agreement that Glen should stay where he is, so it is looking promising but I don't want to get my hopes up too soon in case funding is turned down just have to wait and see!

Incredible story on Laura who fully recovered from autismIncredible

null@example.com (senchoneko) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:58:05 +0000

Hi all!

I would like to share this incredible inspiring video with you. The video is on Laura who was diagnosed with autism at 3 years of age. At age 6 she fully recovered from autism using the Son-Rise program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMIlJk0et5A

To me the Son-Rise Program is amazing! And when I watch a video like this one it really makes me question when people say that autism can't be cured. What are your thoughts on this?

Warm regards,

Sencho