Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) resource

[Ms Piggy]

Hey All - I don't normally do this sorta thing but I just had this excellent DVD sent to me - which I'll be passing on.

I'm not sure if any of you have children with an ASD diagnosis or maybe you have a friend or family member who has a child with ASD.

Anyhoo check out this link http://www.inmyshoes.co.nz/ you can order or buy a NZ made DVD with "real people" in it that gives some basic but very helpful information about ASD and how we can support families and people with the diagnosis. I think it would be good for those who interact with someone with ASD to watch - be it their teachers, classmates, friends, siblings and wider family.

[yungatart]

I've seen that video...its brilliant!

[Blackbird]

Thanks for that Our eldest son runs Occupational Therapy programmes the for the Melbourne School for the Autistic. I'll pass it on on case he's not aware of it.

[Conquiztador]

I have ordered some for our programmes at work.

[yungatart]

We use this resource as a teaching tool for other students in classes where we have a student with Asperger's/Autism. It helps them gain an understanding of their classmate and makes life a lot easier for all concerned.

[The Stranger:Me]

Umm, genuine question here. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

[MSTRS:Me]

Any condition (Aspergers and Autism) that falls between mild to severe, is in the 'spectrum'...

[ajturbo]

I've seen that video...its brilliant!

how can it be brilliant?... I'm not in it!!!

[Ms Piggy]

Umm, genuine question here. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

There's a few bits of info here>>>>>

An Autism Spectrum Disorders is a life-long developmental disability affecting social and communication skills. People with the disability can also have accompanying learning disabilities; but, whatever their general level of intelligence, everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world.

Because of the differing degrees of severity and variety of manifestations, the term Autism Spectrum Disorder is often used to describe the whole range.

This term includes Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism at the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum. People with Asperger syndrome are of average (or higher) intelligence and generally have fewer problems with language, often speaking fluently, though their words can sometimes sound formal and ideas which are abstract, metaphorical or idiomatic may cause confusion and be taken literally. Unlike individuals with 'classic' autism, who often appear withdrawn and uninterested in the world around them, many people with Asperger syndrome try hard to be sociable and do not dislike human contact. However, they still find it hard to understand non-verbal signals, including facial expressions.

It's from: http://www.autismnz.org.nz/Autism-Ne...t-Autism.php#1