Exploring Autism by Anne Palmer

Explaining the diagnosis and characteristics of ASD, this helpful guide uses examples from real families to illustrate the complex feelings that parents and each member of the family are likely to go through after a child is diagnosed. It gives practical tips on help that might be needed most, details the possible changes that will take place as the family adjusts and concludes with a comprehensive guide to other useful sources of information. Her books will help strengthen relationships between parents and their extended family and friends, enabling a reliable support system to develop which will remain crucial to the child throughout their life.

executive functioning and theory of mind

Executive Functioning includes skills such as organizing, planning, sustaining attention, and inhibiting inappropriate responses. Theory of Mind refers to one’s ability to perceive how others think and feel, and how that relates to oneself. Both of these issues can impact the behavior of individuals with AS. Theory of Mind can be summed up as a person’s inability to understand and identify the thoughts, feelings and intentions of others. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome/HFA can encounter have difficulty recognizing and processing the feelings of others, which is sometimes referred to as “mind-blindness”. Difficulties in the area of Executive Functioning can manifest themselves in many different ways. Some individuals pay attention to minor details, but fail to see how these details fit into a bigger picture. Others have difficulty with complex thinking that requires holding more than one train of thought simultaneously.

The zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation is a framework for thinking and a treatment approach that is based on immense evidence in the fields of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit disorders (ADD/HD) and social-emotional theories. Cited as a "promising practice" by Attention Magazine (October, 2012), The Zones integrates Systemizing Theory, Central Coherence Theory and Cognitive Behavior Management. It ties in Social Thinking®, Visual Supports and is a Self-Management approach. Some of these evidence based practices are developmental in nature, while others are related to learning-styles, concepts or characteristics important to a specific special needs population.

Medicaid Transformation: What You Need to Know

July 17, 2019

Starting in late 2019, Medicaid recipients in North Carolina will have their health services managed by private insurance companies as NC Medicaid switches from a public fee-for-service system to a private managed-care model. Instead of the state of North Carolina managing the program directly, insurance companies will be paid a per-member, per-month fee to work with people on Medicaid to manage their health services, similar to how health care works for people with private health-care coverage. Our state’s plan is unique in that it plans to incorporate elements of non-medical drivers of health, such as housing, transportation, food insecurity, etc. as well.

tools for navigating autism by bill nason

Bill Nason, M.S., is a mental health professional, behavior and autism specialist with over 35 years of experiences working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. Specialties include developing positive behavior support plans for multiple behavior challenges, skill training programs for daily living skills, and developing person centered life plans. Bill has spent eleven years running soccer and basketball programs for children and young adults with autism/aspergers at Oakland University. He also moderates the “Autism Discussion Page” on Facebook with a membership of over 75,000 people, has authored two books on treatment strategies for individuals with autism, and periodically lectures at conferences. Bill has also volunteered his time servicing local autism support groups.

tantrum vs meltdowns - knowing the difference

A tantrum is an outburst that happens when a child is trying to get something he wants or needs. Some kids with learning and attention issues are more prone to tantrums. For instance, some can be impulsive and have trouble keeping their emotions in check. They may get angry or frustrated quickly. A meltdown is a reaction to feeling overwhelmed. For some kids, it happens when there’s too much sensory information to process. The commotion of an amusement park might set them off, for instance. For other kids, it can be a reaction to having too many things to think about. A back-to-school shopping trip could cause a tantrum that triggers a meltdown.

Autism teaching strategies

Joel Shaul specializes in mental health services for children and teens at the autism spectrum. In his work with children on the autism spectrum in various settings, Joel has noticed a need for more engaging social skills curricula, stronger visual components and more compelling social skills learning activities. Through Autism Teaching Strategies, Joel provides trainings nationwide on the topics of social skills teaching and effective counseling for children with high functioning autism. Joel provides individual and group services, in schools and clinical settings, at The Watson Institute in Sewickley, Pa.