Typically kids with autism HAVE deficits in three main areas of development: social, communication (both verbal and non-verbal) and imagination skills and behaviours.
It is because of these deficits many kids with autism HAVE difficulties understanding and accepting the “hidden social rules of everyday life”.
For example a child on the spectrum WILL commonly miss social cues and be unable to interpret body language or facial expression – so it is of no use “tutting” or giving “knowing nod” these hidden social cues WILL usually be missed!
However there are treatments for autism which foster social skills in kids with autism such as social skills stories and picture communication cards.
These treatments for autism ARE normally USED to help the child on the spectrum feel more comfortable with and in situations that they normally struggle with like for example asking questions, sharing, making friends and so on…
Social skills stories ARE short descriptive pieces of text written in a set format which is typically first person text and from the autistic child’s own point of view.
Characteristically children with autism ARE visual thinkers and learners, which means that they find visual information easier to understand and follow, therefore it is believed and proven through research that children with autism respond better to visual teaching.
Consequently, social skills stories and picture communication cards DO FOLLOW this belief and ARE typically visual.
The social skills story USES images and pictures with short pieces of text to visually show the child on the spectrum what is happening and why.
The social skills story does this by answering the “wh” questions – who, what, where, when and why as well as “HOW” and will offer an insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others which is an area of marked weakness in most children with autism.
The social skills story can be adapted to suit individual needs and abilities and are generally written in word format with NO FORMAL training needed to use social skills stories.
Teachers and parents can foster social skills in kids with autism using social stories and picture communication cards. To gain immediate download and learn more about how these treatments for autism work visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com
As typically developing beings we naturally learn social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours. This ability is missing in autism spectrum disorder and often referred to as the theory of mind or social skills deficits.
Probably the major factor for many parents raising an autistic child is their child’s social skills deficits. This is also true in the classroom with many teachers being insufficiently trained in teaching students with autism.
Teaching social and communication skills can often become a primary concern for many teachers and parents.
Success in addressing social skills deficits by teaching social, communication and imagination skills and behaviours can increase self-confidence and lead to positive results at home and in the classroom for students with autism.
Using social stories for autism is a VERY BENEFICIAL strategy which is used by the vast majority of parents raising an autistic child, care givers and teachers.
The most important aspect of a social skills story is that it provides the child on the autism spectrum with a role model.
The vast majority of children with autism spectrum ARE visual thinkers and learners, which means they think in pictures, therefore strategies which suit children with autism spectrum best ARE visual like social stories.
Social stories can be used for more than learning social, imagination and communication skills, they can be used FOR TRANSITIONS, new routines, changes in routines, activities, and how to respond appropriately to feelings like anger.
Using social stories for autism will help the child on the spectrum to better understand the thoughts, feelings and views of other people.
By implementing social stories for autism the child on the spectrum is more able to predict another person’s behaviour based on their actions.
Social stories present various situations and skills in a structured and clear manner in a way children with autism spectrum will find easier to understand. The social skills story should be written from the child’s perspective and follow a set formula of four sentence type: descriptive, perspective, direction and control.
Using social stories for autism will answer the important “wh” questions - who, where, why, when and what, helping reduce confusion and anxieties, making unpredictable situations more routine.
By using visual images and first person text the social skills story is much like a comic strip conversation, which children with autism spectrum find easy to use.
Editable, and printable the social skills story will suit all ages and abilities, parents can personalize the social skills story using their child’s name and language that is familiar to them. No two children with autism are ever the same and normally some tweaking of social stories is needed.
To learn more about how using social stories for autism can benefit your child or student with autism visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com
Social stories have been used a s a strategy with autistic children for around twenty years giving positive results.
It is believed that every 1 in 166 grandparents will become the grandparent to an autistic child.
The diagnosis of autism can be stressful enough for any family and can sometimes lead to conflict between parents and grandparents.
Grandparenting an autistic child is stressful and confusing; both mentally, physically and on occasions financially.
There are many things grandparents can do to help their autistic grandchild overcome their challenges and get the most of life. From learning all you can about autism spectrum disorder and what the diagnosis of autism will mean to the entire family to helping support your autistic grandchild lean social skills.
Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong condition and is not curable; autism spectrum disorder affects more males then females.
Often the diagnosis of autism can have a huge impact on the entire family and cause marital issues between the autistic child’s parents. This is where a grandparent can be of support and help, easing tensions and generally helping out around the home and with the families other children can help.
There will be tough times ahead and being prepared by reading books, magazines, reports and articles on autism can provide answers questions that you may be struggling to comprehend.
The causes of autism are not yet known with certainty. Recent research suggests a link between genetic susceptibility and environmental agents. Indeed, there is evidence that no one factor causes autism and that perhaps there exists a synergy among several agents. This view is based upon the range of symptoms of autism and severity among those who are diagnosed as autistic.
There has been an apparent rise in the occurrence of autism since about 1980, but the root causes of autism have not been found. There is speculation that better diagnostic techniques have uncovered symptoms of autism and cases that would otherwise have gone unrecognized.
Research indicates tentatively that 90% of the autism cases have a genetic link. A specific gene of interest is the Engrailed 2 (EN2) gene, which may account for 40% of autism cases. It is significant in normal neural development. If the gene’s expression is disrupted in some way, it is believed that EN2 could impact significantly on normal brain development. However, autism may be causes by the interaction and malfunction of more than one gene. The research is on-going.
Additionally, in a study conducted in 2007, three common factors were found to be of interest in some cases of autism: older maternal age, older paternal age, and birthplace of the mother outside Europe or North America. The higher parental age may suggest an issue with genetic material integrity.
Alternatively, some rare cases of autism appear to be related to environmental factors. In the past several years, there has been a great deal of controversy over the incidence of autism with relation to childhood immunizations. To-date, there is no strong statistical correlation to support this proposal.
The prenatal environment has come into focus as a possible origin, especially events taking place within the first eight weeks of gestation of the fetus. Although most infectious diseases appear not to be significant contributors to the causes of autism, the rubella virus may be a suspect. Exposure to pesticides may have some effect, but the research is inconclusive.
Maternal folic acid levels may have some bearing, as folic acid is directly involved in neural tube development in the fetus and has a direct effect on gene expression. Perhaps the most promising research finding recently has been the association of maternal infection early in pregnancy with the child’s later autism.
The cause of autism is most likely over determined, meaning that more than one factor is involved. Given the range of symptoms of autism and severity of autism, this could well be so.
There are many more resources and information about autism signs, symptoms, treatments, and cutting edge medical research in, Autism: Everything Parents And Caregivers Should Know About The Disorder-http://autismsymptoms1.com/go.php?offer=simon8775&pid=1
Autism is a developmental disorder affecting the autistic person’s brain.
The symptoms of autism are:
Deficits in communication
Social deficits
Imagination and interaction deficits
Specialists in research autism suggest autism is a lifelong disability affecting children detectable from birth or early childhood. While there is no cure for autism, and researchers are unsure of its cause, a variety of therapies and resources are available to help children with autism and their families.
Autism affects more boys than girls with research in the US suggesting 1 in every 150 school aged children being affected.
Research autism also shows - That approximately one-third of children diagnosed with autism spectrumdisorder appear to be developing normally up until the first year or two of their lives.
They then begin to regress in the way that they speak and socialize.
The symptoms of autism present may be:
They prefer to play solitarily
Ignoring or not interested in other children who are playing alongside them
Preferring to categorize object not play with them; for example sorting into color or lining up.
Difficulties with eye contact
Lack of interest in their environment
Although children with autism will be affected in different ways, there is triad of disabilities that will be present.
Difficulties with communication
Difficulties with social interaction
Difficulties with imagination.
Some children with autism will display more of one the symptoms of autism, while others may be affected more strongly by a different symptom.
Although autistic children are affected in different ways, in all cases their capacity to communicate and interact with others is impaired.
Research has shown there isn’t one specific cause of autism spectrum disorder. Research autism has focused on whether chemical imbalances, differences in the brain, genetics, or problems with the immune system have played a significant role in causing autism spectrum disorder.
Children with autism spectrum disorder can be helped with social, communication, imagination and interaction issues by using autism social stories…
Research autism has shown autism social stories can be used as effective tools in teaching and re-enforcing important skills to an autistic child.
For example; “Tooth brushing”, “Getting a hair cut”, “Visiting grand parents” and even personal care issues like “menstruation”, “using deodorant” and school related autism social stories like “Recess”, “Making friends” and “Shared reading”.
Autism social stories have been used effectively by parents and educators of children with autism for a variety of situations the autistic child is struggling with.
Implementing autism social stories can have positive effects on the behaviors of children with autism.
To get immediate autism social stories downloads visit:
Research and information on autism has shown almost 1 in 500 children in the United States, is autistic.
Information on autism gathered from researchers, scientists and doctors is still to tell us what causes autism and why it is on the increase.
More children with autism are being diagnosed than ever before.
Information on autism shows more boys affected by the condition than girls, almost 80% in fact.
Information on autism all suggests autistic children will have some degree of social and communication deficit.
You may well notice autistic characteristics such as:
Trouble processing information from the environment, autistic children will often find the world they live in confusing and stressful.
Other autistic characteristics you may notice include:
Lack of social skills
Unable to interact with others
The need for repetition
Un-willingness to be touched, avoids eye contact
Preferring their own company
Odd behaviors; like stimming or obsessions with objects or things.
Children with autism also show autistic characteristics in communication difficulties and many autistic children are late to develop speech, for some speech never happens.
Children with autism are often thought of as “odd” by their peers, and while they do not mean to be rude can sometimes come across as such.
Research and information on autism suggests that autistic children can be helped both with communication and social issues by the implementation and use of autism social skills stories.
Autism social skills stories are used effectively for children with autism providing the clear structure and repetition that they need to function.
Autism social skills stories are visual as well as having text, autistic children are mainly visual learners and can process information easier in picture or image format.
All autistic children will benefit from this autism resource-giving them clear precise instruction and coping strategies, helping them make sense of the world we live in.
Download pictorially rich autism social skills stories. And begin giving your autistic child clear coping strategies to help them process and make sense of their world.
Visit any of the sites listed for immediate download of this autism resource:
The most recent autism informationresearch on what causes autism, shows that an autistic individual has several genes, which may contribute to the disorder. It is also believed several brain regions also show forms of abnormalities.
The latest autism information research into the causes of autism, also reports shows a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and sometimes other factors contribute to autism.
Suggestions into possible autism causes were that neurotransmitters in the brain may not be working normally, or even a faulty immune system could be the cause, or a virus.
Some autism information suggested the autistic individual may have been subjected to an increased level of protein in the mother’s blood during birth as being as one of the autism causes.
Or other suggestions were extreme stress in the mother whilst pregnant may be one of the causes of autismspectrum.
However as yet no reasonably complete answer to the question what causes autism has been found. Research continues into this complex disorder.
Scientists have also been exploring the possibility of genetic imprinting which could help determine the parental donor of the abnormal gene.
The autism spectrum ranges from low functioning autism where an individualmay have little or no speech, severe mental disabilities, maybe seizures, and will use stimming, like hand flapping and rocking.
To high functioning autism or aspergers syndrome, these individuals are less impaired with odd social approaches, narrowly focused interests, social impairments and communication difficulties.
Which ever end of the spectrum you autistic child is on there are common traits with autism spectrum disorder:
Social deficits
Communication deficits
Imagination deficits
All of these issues will be present in autism no matter where on the autism spectrum you child falls.
There are many autism resources available to parent, individuals, educators and guardians of autistic individuals One autism resources…which and probably in our opinion one of the easiest to implement and use are autism social skills stories.
Brushing their teeth, using deodorant, good eating habits, saying Hi, saying thank you and many more covering possibly all situations your autistic child finds stressful or hard to understand.
Aspergers is a mild form of Autism, as with Autism it is a lifelong disability.
Aspergers syndrome, affects people in a similar way to Autism, the person has difficulties with three main areas of development:
The persons social imagination
Their communication skills
Plus their social interaction abilities
While there are similarities to Autism, the main difference is that the Aspergers person will have fewer problems with speaking. Plus they will normally have average, or above average intelligence.
Another difference is that they tend not have the associated learning difficulties Autistic people have. But might have other more specific learning disabilities like dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD and epilepsy.
There is no reason why an aspergers person can notlive a normal life.
Characteristics Aspergers Syndrome
As with most conditions the characteristics of asperger syndrome will vary from person to person.
But there is always a common thread running through all aspergers people.
Difficulties with communication and language
Generally aspergers people will find it hard to keep up with a conversation and will not express themselves correctly.
For example:
They may not understand how to begin a conversation, or end it and will not be able to read body language or facial expressions.
They may use odd language within a conversation and not understand jokes and other flippant remarks or phrases.
They will talk literally, stating the obvious even when it’s probably not cool to do so.
Difficulty with social interactions
An asperger person may miss important social cues, and find relationships hard to maintain.
For example: aspergers people may find it difficult making friends and will sometimes find it even harder to maintain those friendships they do strike up.
Aspergers people may not understand how to behave socially, they may begin inappropriate conversations and not respect personal space
The asperger person may appear withdrawn and uninterested in other people.
Have difficulties with imagination
Although some people with aspergers may show a real flare for certain activities, like painting, music or even things like numbers.
Generally people with aspergers lack social imagination.
As with Autism they will prefer repetition and sameness.
Also people with aspergers prefer routine, even down to lining up their belongings. in a ritualistic fashion.
For more information on aspergers and how to manage behaviors and problems using asperger social skills stories. Plus get all the latest information and research into how aspergers social skills stories can be used effectively for all people with aspergers helping them become more independant visit any of the blow sites and download these valuable asperger resources: www.autismsocialstories.com/asperger_adolescents
The Autism spectrum disordersare also called Pervasive Developmental disorders (PDD). This isbecause they involve delay in many areas of development.
So what is PDD?
Autism is the most severe of the PDD’s
As we have already looked at people with Autism have developmental problems with, thinking, language, behavior and social skills.
To be diagnosed as Autistic, a child will need to have had a certain amount of developmental symptoms in the areas of thinking, language, social interactions and behavior, which is often thought of as stereotypic behaviors.
What is Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)?
PDD-NOS, is refered to as atypical autism or mild autism.
It means that the person has the same differences in their development as autism, but not to such a great degree.Â
A child with PDD-NOS does not meet the criteria for any specific PDD.Â
No matter where your child falls on the autism spectrum disorder scale they will still have the typical autism symptom: social deficits, communication deficits and imagination and interaction deficits…These can be controlled and managed using something called autism social stories.
For more information on autism social stories and how they will help control and manage autism symptoms and behaviors visit:Â www.autismsocialstories.com
Autism is a developmental disorder which can affect children from either birth or the early months of their lives.
Research into understanding autism - cause and affect…shows delays and deviance from normal development. This will occur in three areas:
1.Social relationships and interactions
2.Language and communication.
3.Activities and interests.
When these three areas of behavior are affected. At more deeper level than that of a normally developing child, the distinctive patterns that are noticed in the symptoms of Autism in a child become apparent.
Some experts now believe that children with the these areas of impairments should be given the diagnosis “autism spectrum disorders”.
Which should then lead on to further and more in depth diagnosis of autism being made.
Which in turn should look at the severity, the cognitive level, plus the clinical traits and associated medical conditions.
The National Autistic Society in the UK suggests a possible rate of almost 1 in 100 people will be diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders.
Although autism is normally present from birth, or very soon after, there can be a delay in autism diagnosis due to the nature of the condition and sometimes the severity.
Diagnosing Autism can be complicated, because of the variations found in the mental ability of children with autism.
Approximately two-thirds of children with autism will have additional learning difficulties, with unusual behavior patterns, which may well be put down to an overall developmental delay. There are methods used for children with autism to help them become more socially aware of their enviroment…these are called autism social stories.
These autism social storiescan be used effectively in the home and classroom to help children with autism understand the world they live in and give them methods and techniques for undertaking, tasks, activities, social situations and events. They provide clear instruction for tasks such as: tooth brushing, using deodrant, getting a haircut and visiting the doctor. As well as instruction on various other topics…
All pictorially rich, as children with autism are visual learners To gain immediate access to these autism social stories and help with understanding autism visit
Autism is normally detected during infancy or very early childhood. Usually there are some concerns about the child’s development, which is normally noticed and recorded within the first year.
These concerns will normally relate to problems the autistic child is having with communication, play, or social responsiveness, and to stimming or repetitive behavior.
Over time, the pattern of an autistic childs development is mainly influenced by the degree of cognitive impairment.
Autism may co-exist with a varying range of measured ability levels; the overall majority of autistic people do have some degree of learning difficulties. With around 50% of Autistic people having IQs of 50 or below.
Certainly it has been found that those who have severe learning difficulties are unlikely to develop any kind of meaningful speech.
Sometimes in autistic children there is also a possibility that they will develop behaviors like self-harming and stimming.
However research shows that sometimes when the abilities of autistic children are considered within the average range, the outcomes of behavior are more unpredictable.
In some cases, there has been an improvement as the autistic child gets older and their ability to cope with; and adapt to, situations becomes much better.
However also within this group of autistic people, some will remain dependent.
But others may achieve virtual independence and be able to maintain successful employment.
In some autistic children however, it is found that sometimes their overall problems will increase with age.
However regardless of the autistic persons abilities there is still something you can do to aid their social and personal development.
Research shows that by using autism social stories as a method for helping autistic people find clear coping strategies they can gain some form of social understanding and gain more independence.
Autism is a brain disorder that is normally diagnosed in early childhood. Kids with autism have difficulties communicating and forming relationships with other people. Autistic people also find it hard to make any sense of the world around them. Often referred to as “Autism Own World”So what are the symptoms of Autism in A Child?
Some kids with autism may appear normal up until the age of 1 -2 years
Lack of the ability to point to objects, to direct others attention to it.
They do not adjust their gaze to look at objects others are pointing to or looking at.
They can not begin or sustain a conversation easily
Language develops very slowly, sometimes not at all
Repeats words, or passages such as TV commercials, simple rhymes, (repetitive behaviour, or stimming)
Uses the wrong language when speaking about themselves. For example will say “Brian wants drink”, rather than can i have a drink
Uses nonsense rhyming
Will communicate by using gestures rather than words.
With regards to social interactions they may show these signs, “The symptoms of Autism in a child” may be
They may show a lack of empathy
They may be withdrawn
Lack friends
Prefer to be on their own, and not with other people
They will have difficulties making eye contact and may not react to smiles
They may treat others as if they were objects and not people
They do not want to play interactive games
Kids with autism process sensory information differently
Their senses, sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing may be heightened, or lower than normal
Their pain barrier may well be heightened or alot lower than normal
They withdraw from physical contact
They do not get startled by loud noises
May find normal levels of noise painful
They may well use stimming which is a form of repetitive behaviour
Kids with autism may find playing hard
They will have little ability to play interactively or imaginatively
Can not imitate others
They will prefer solitary play
They may well prefer ritualistic play, constantly repeating the same thing, stimming ,repetitive behavior
The behavior patterns of an autistic child may not be the same as other children of a similar age
A short attention span
They may use repetitive body movements like rocking
They like to keep things the same
Will throw tantrums
Very narrow interests
They may well show signs of aggression towards themselves and or others
They can be very passive
On the other hand they can be overactive
Not all of these symptoms of Autism in a child, will present themselves and they will vary from one autistic child to another.
There are a lot of different treatments and therapies available to the parents of an autistic child and your G.P. is your first port of call.
At Autism social stories, you will find printable social skills stories that can be printed off and used as social cues and for everyday situations.
Autistic children respond well to repetition and this is what social stories will give you a gentle reminder of how they are expected to cope and deal with situations, at home, school and out in public.
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