The book offers readers ways to evaluate their child’s strengths and weaknesses in areas such as visual and spatial functioning, writing problems, information processing and organizational skills, social and emotional capabilities, language skills, and interactive abilities.

It offers specific strategies for intervening and helping the child to cope with these obstacles, such as teaching the child how to socialize with humor and empathy, alternatives for… More >>

Helping a Child With Nonverbal Learning Disorder or Asperger’s Disorder: A Parent’s Guide

There is no known cause for Asperger’s Syndrome but experts and researchers are still studying the syndrome. There may be multiple causes, but more studies are needed in order to determine what they may be. It may turn out that Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is associated with other mental disorders like depression and bipolar disorder, or there may be environmental factors that effected the development of the brain, which may be found to have an impact in the development of Asperger’s Syndrome. It has been determined that AS has not been caused by emotional deprivation. AS is not the result of bad parenting. Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder.

As of this date, there is no known cure for Asperger’s Syndrome, but there are effective treatments and medications that can be used to intervene and redirect behavior so that the individual can function better in social situations. Education is paramount to early intervention and understanding when coping with someone with AS. It is important to educate parents and teachers and other adults who come into contact with children and adults with AS so that their behaviors can be understood and modified with help from treatment and therapy. Individuals receiving this assistance can lead functioning lives.  Read more...

Many parents who first hear the words “Your child has autism” are shocked and dismayed.

While we have all heard about autism, many of us have only vague ideas of what the diagnosis means and what can be done to help children and adults lead as normal a life as possible.

The truth is that autism, being a spectrum disorder, affects different people in different ways and no two autistic children are exactly alike. There are also many different theories about what causes autism and what can be done to treat it.

This makes things very confusing for parents who are struggling to come to terms with what is best for their child.

Diagnosis and symptoms of autism

Autism is a neurological disorder and one of five developmental disorders classified under the heading of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).

Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) is made up of 5 different disorders:  Read more...

• Autism
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• Rett’s Disorder
• PDD – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD – NOS)

Aspergers Syndrome “Not ANOTHER diagnosis!”

Asperge’s Syndrome was first identified in 1944, but was only officially recognized as a diagnostic category in the DSM IV in 1994. As a result, many children were misdiagnosed over the years as ADD/HD, Autistic, OCD or even schizophrenic.

Many different terms are currently applied, leading to great confusion on the part of parents and educators. Aspergers Syndrome may also be referred to as High Functioning Autism (HFA), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD – NOS), Atypical PDD or even Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD).

There is still debate as to exactly how Aspergers Syndrome should be classified. In addition, it is not always an easy, clear cut diagnosis to make. As a result, diagnostic errors continue to be made and this often affects treatment, as well as access to appropriate help and information.

Parents may find themselves going from one doctor to another, becoming more and more confused and frustrated in their attempts to help their child. (See bottom of the page for information about natural remedies for Aspergers Syndrome)  Read more...

Let’s talk about perseverating on a topic – a characteristic common to Aspergers Syndrome. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome often have an area of interest that is all-consuming e.g. dinosaurs, sharks, horses, astrology, computers etc. and they are passionate about it. These high interest areas can remain constant or change every couple of months or so.

Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome usually develop an in-depth knowledge of these high-interest topics, often amassing an astonishing recall of facts and data on their favorite topic. This renders Asperger children experts on their chosen topic and their expertise should be commended and respected, whilst directing them to appropriately make use of their knowledge in social situations.

Children with Aspergers Syndrome will need very specific direction as to when and how they may appropriately talk about their high-interest topic in the classroom or in the playground, (this should be part of an on-going Social Skills program involving both children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their neurotypical peers) so as to learn about turn-talking and following topic-shifts in conversation.  Read more...