Autism Service, Education, Resources & Training
Our mission is to improve regional access to quality services and
interventions, providing information and support to families,
training professionals in best practices and facilitating
collaboration among providers of services throughout the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
1 (877) 231-4244
info@asertinfo.com
It is hard to know if children with Asperger Syndrome are as lonely as their parents believe they are. Psychologists do know that playing with a friend, making a friend and being with a friend are “overwhelming skills” for Aspies. Other people make no sense to children with Asperger Syndrome and as one author writes, “they are totally preoccupied with their own agendas.”
The Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT) recently launched a brand new webpage at PAautism.org. There you can find all of the events and trainings that you are used to finding here at asertinfo.com, and much more!
PAautism.org brings together resources from existing sources as well as announcements, news, and trainings from ASERT and the PA Bureau of Autism Services, Department of Public Welfare. The website is designed for Pennsylvanians with autism of all ages as well as their caregivers, family members, community members, and the professionals who support them. Content includes information about local, regional and statewide events, professional trainings, community resources, services, current research and other information relevant to the autism community.
Whether you are an individual with autism searching for college programs, a parent seeking information about the education system, a sibling looking for activities to do with your brother or sister, a professional in need of training, or a member of the community looking for general information about autism, PAautism.org has what you are looking for. To stay up-to-date on autism news, events, trainings, and more, check out the new PAautism.org today!
Challenging behaviour is nearly always an attempt to communicate – remember that the child is not being naughty. Try to identify the trigger for the behaviour.
The child may have outbursts of aggression just like a much younger child due to delayed emotional development.
Be consistent in everything you do. Discuss behavioural issues with others and make sure everyone agrees on the same approach.
Stick to well-defined and predictable routines so that the child knows what is expected of him and what he can expect each day.
Always give advance warning of changes in routine.
Tell the child what you expect of him rather than telling him what you don’t want.
Remember that common techniques for calming an anxious child, like cuddling, or sitting the child on your knee, may have the opposite effect on a child with ASD.
Don’t try to stop odd or repetitive behaviour unless it interferes with learning or threatens the well-being of other children. It is better to modify the behaviour.
Look at ways of using the child’s obsession or preferred interest in play and learning activities.
Monitor the child’s ability to cope in the playground; he may need time to unwind after recess and lunch breaks if he finds this time stressful.
And MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE to also learn about tips for Communication, Sensory Issues, and Social Interaction.
There are many differences between a medical diagnosis and an educational determination, or school evaluation, of a disability. A medical diagnosis is made by a physician based on an assessment of symptoms and diagnostic tests. A medical diagnosis of autism, for instance, is most frequently made by a physician according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) of the American Psychological Association (2000). This manual guides physicians in diagnosing Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified according to a specific number of symptoms.
An educational determination, in contrast, is made by a multidisciplinary evaluation team comprised of various school professionals. The evaluation results are looked at by a team of qualified professionals and the parents to determine whether a student qualifies for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Hawkins, 2009).
To read the entire fact sheet on autism diagnosis from the Autism Society of America, CLICK HERE.
Sometimes it’s hard to understand the terms being spoken by school officials. When your child is struggling, and you’re unsure what your next step should be, you may find it helpful to consult with an advocate or mentor for advice.
CLICK HERE for a list of advocates/mentors from the CCIU in the Chester County area.
Tuesday 05/14/13, 6-9 PM, Hans Herr Elementary School, 1600 Book Rd
Lampeter, PA (Lancaster).
Come out and learn about living a healthy lifestyle! There will be multiple agencies for you to connect with including a local fire station for the kids and many other fun activities!
Don’t forget to stop by and say hello to Joelle at the ASERT table while your there!