A.S.D Autism Spectrum Disorder

Here is where the jargon or language starts to change about your child.  Although we don't want to get caught up in labels if you don't understand you will get left behind.

A.S.D stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder which means the disorder is a spectrum.  Quite often if you say your child has autism people will automatically think of the movie "Rain Main" or "Black Balloon".  Which is great that autism gets highlighted however autism as depicted in theses movies is not a one size fits all.

If you imagine a ball of string and you unravel it, at one end you would have severe Autism where people may have no language and limited ability to cope without assistance and in the middle is high functioning Autism.  This is where there may have been language delay or loss of language but the person can function at a much higher level compared with severe Autism.  Then at the other end there is Asperges syndrome which is considered the more functioning where there may have always been very articulate language. However the person will still struggle socially, emotionally and with being able to be flexible in the way they do tasks or within their thinking.

In between this there are many different aspects of these diagnosis and although one person may have the same diagnosis they will be effected by this disorder differently.

PDDNOs - Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, which basically means they have a number of ticks in the box of this disorder but may just be too young to give a formal diagnosis or that they struggle within this spectrum but again not enough to give a formal diagnosis.

The three main areas which seem to have a common theme within the spectrum are:

• Communication verbal and non verbal
• Socialisation
• Thinking or behaviour

If you were to ask where does my child fit on this spectrum no one could give you an exact answer because everyone is unique and individual and will have there own challenges within this disorder.

It is so important to realise that it doesn't matter what the diagnosis all people who have A.S.D will present challenges for family and caregivers and of course for themselves.  You don't get let off the hook just because your child is more functioning e.g has more language. People naturally assume they will be able to survive without assistance.  This of course is not true.

In fact the more subtle the differences are the harder it is because people expect them to get or understand the social rules of life which we all take for granted.  These people at times can appear very normal but it will be the way that they do things, process understanding or say or not say that will give it away.

Today in New Zealand there are over 40,000 people who are effected by  A.S.D which is one out of every 100.

Below are some other links to websites which also help to explain A.S.D however this is just a few of many on the subject.

http://www.asdguideline.com/tutorials

http://www.asdguideline.com/tutorials

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/SpecialEducation/ServicesAndFunding/FrequentlyAskedQuestions/WhatIsEducationDoingAboutAutismSpectrumDisorder/WhatIsAutismSpectrumDisorder.aspx

http://www.autismnz.org.nz/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum

.http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/learning/disability/generalinfo/asd/asd2.html

http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-asperger-syndrome-an-introduction/what-is-autism.aspx

Rowena Monds©
Consultant

Special Note for Parents/Caregivers

If your child has recently been diagnosed on the spectrum there will be lots of emotions flying around for you and your family.

There could be grief, loss, sadness, depression, relief, frustration, exhaustion, denial, determination just to mention a few.  This is your journey and most importantly your child's journey as they have to live inside the body they were given.

How you cope and come to terms with this is part of the journey.  I would find as much support as you can, connect with like minded parents and groups.  Have time out if you can manage to get away. Get  counselling/therapy to help you put into perspective what you are now dealing with.

Remember we are never given more than we can deal with and just take one day at a time. If you can't afford expensive therapies don't worry there is still hope.  Don't put so much pressure on yourself to be the perfect parent. There is always another day tomorrow!

You will be given lots of advice but remember this is your child and you know what he/she needs best!

I am going to help to explain what I know or have learnt however it is up to you what you choose to do with this information.

One of the best things that has helped me cope is finding out as much as I can about *A.S.D. It has also changed my son's life who is now 11 years old.

Sometimes to come back to the heart of your child you have to work from the outside in.  Imagine it like a wheel there are many spokes needed to make the wheel go round.  What we have to do is break down the disorder into parts so you can understand why it is your child does the things that he or she does.

When you understand this you can work with the disorder so that your child can reveal their true selves not just the disorder. Remember there is always light at the end of the tunnel and expect to be amazed and surprised along the way.

* A.S.D Autism Spectrum Disorder

Rowena Monds©
Consultant

Getting Started

Hi Everyone
Thanks for joining me at Autism Thinks! I am really passionate about autism because I have a child on the spectrum.  This means Autism doesn't take a break or go on holiday and because of this I have been able to find out all the detail that A.S.D is.

I don't know everything as I am still finding out new things myself but I am happy to share what I do know. When I first found out that my son may have Autism 7 years ago my head went into a complete spin and I simply didn't know where to start first.

Then I began to research and realised that this was a very complex thing and there didn't seem to be an easy way of how to find out about A.S.D or Autism Spectrum Disorder. However I did find that the more I knew the more I was able to understand and help my son.

My aim is to turn the complex A.S.D lingo into easy to understand language so that the concepts of what A.S.D is can be put to use straight away. This will include all the parts or aspects that make up Autism or A.S.D.

So lets get started!

Rowena Monds

Consultant