The autspot

Shonda Schilling 's Frank Account Of Son With Asperger's Syndrome

Just found another book to help families coping with Autism to shoulder the weight of their added responsibilities and challenges. “The Best Kind of Different: Our Family’s Journey with Asperger’s Syndrome” is written by Shonda Schilling. In more than 200 pages, Shonda tells us about their third child, Grant, now 10 yrs old, and how their family struggled while learning to cope with his Aspergers. Baseball fans will know Shanda’s husband, Curt Schilling. Wkiipedia tells us that Curt is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in 1993 and has won World Series championships in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in 2004 and 2007 with the Boston Red Sox. Curt retired in 2008 because of injuries. Shonda, who graduated from Towson State College majoring in journalism, writes it exactly how it is. Even though they had all the comforts of life to raise their four children, the overwhelming hardship of raising a child with Aspergers and the struggle to keep their family intact was just the same as everybody else. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) gives the following description for Asperger syndrome (AS). “It is a developmental disorder. It is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The most distinguishing symptom of AS is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. Their expertise, high level of vocabulary, and formal speech patterns make them seem like little professors. Other characteristics of AS include repetitive routines or rituals; peculiarities in speech and language; socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact successfully with peers; problems with non-verbal communication; and clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements.” Grant was only diagnosed at the age of 7. “You go through different stages,” Shonda Schilling told FoxNews.com. “You mourn the child that you thought you would have. You’re sad because you’re afraid of the future and you feel guilty. You feel guilty because you’ve just spent the first seven years of his life yelling at him when he had no idea why you were yelling at him.” All of the Schillings’ children, including Grant, are enrolled in the public school system in a Massachusetts town. Their lives have all been affected. Shonda revealed that her son Gehrig became anorexic while the family was dealing with Grant’s Asperger’s diagnosis; that she and Grant both wound up on medication, one for depression and the other for ADHD; and that she and Curt got counseling to save their marriage. Shonda said:“This book shares our story and admiration for any parent faced with a diagnosis within the autism spectrum. Through our family’s story, I want other families to know that they’re not alone or isolated. The book is a celebration of children, and how wonderful they are, no matter their differences.” What do you think must be the most challenging aspect of raising a Special Needs child?

"Social Machines"

Hi there, everyone! I was working on my robotics project this evening and while I was at it, I got an idea that I thought would help those with autism and particularly asperger syndrome communicate and socialize with others. I'm dubbing the concept "Social Machines." It's a robot, (or a computer program) that talks with people. It works a lot like a chat bot, you might say, but is specialized to help improve social skills. So while I'm getting to work on this project, I'd like to see if any of you could help lead me in the right direction. For parents of children with autism, what sort of struggles do you notice they seem to struggle with. If you have autism yourself, is there anything you find difficult to understand socially, or any form of expression or communication you struggle with? Any therapists out there? I'd like to hear your input too. The idea with a social machine, I'm thinking, is that maybe those with autism will pay more attention to robots or computers than people because robots move and many people with autism like actuation and many with autism or asperger syndrome are more comfortable in front of a computer than a person because they have the comfort of knowing that a computer won't judge you. But in turn, the social machine might help prepare those with autism communicate and understand more expressions with real human beings. I'm thinking there will be two kinds of social machines: a robotic version and a computer version. A robotic social machine would have its advantages in a sense that it's a physical entity (it's there in front of you in the real world instead of on a flat screen. It's tangible--you can tough it). And...robots are interesting. A computer program would also have its advantages particularly if the person with autism is sensitive to servo motor movement (like a friend of mine). Instead of a robot, a character would appear in front of the computer screen and talk to the person with autism. It might be a human character, a robot character, maybe even a creature kind of character--though all three would have a personality. The fun part of this would be that you could actually talk to the social machine using speech recognition software (like my robot uses). The SM would understand a plethora of different phrases, keep track of topics, and respond to these phrases in different ways (using a randomization function). My robot currently does all of this. Ultimately, I'm thinking it would be ideal if the social machines plugged into a network and were kept up to date with a magnanimous array of topics and responses. That way, the social machines would always be primed and up to date. There might even be a website where suggestions and issues can be addressed to help improve the social machines for individuals with autism. That's my idea. What you do think? By the way, for a look at my robotics project, NINA, just visit my website at www.lorenjohnpresley.com

Deakin University study to give voice to people with Autism

Deakin University psychology researchers want to give people with Autism and their carers a voice in discussions around the use of medication to manage symptoms of the disorder.

Researchers with Deakin’s Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Jane McGillivray and Belinda Minett, are undertaking a study of the extent, experiences and attitudes of medication use by people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including Asperger Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Delay. They are calling on people with the disorder and their care-givers to take part in the research.

“Little is known about the perspectives of the individuals themselves regarding the use of medication to manage behaviours and mental health issues inherent with the disorder,” Associate Professor McGillivray said.

“There is some information on the types of medication used and the reason for its prescription. In Victoria, for example, disability service providers are required to report medication use when it is for control of behaviour and is considered a restrictive intervention. However there is little research in the wider ASD population and where medication may be prescribed for the treatment of specific emotional or physical symptoms.

“Through our study we want to hear what people with ASD have to say about using medication; why are they taking medication, how do they feel about it. It is time to add their voice to the discussions around the best treatment alternatives for managing the conditions associated with the disorder.”

Associate Professor McGillivray said the results of the study will inform the practice of prescribing medication for individuals with ASD.

“The study results will fill the gaps in our knowledge of the experiences and perspectives of people with ASD, as well as those who directly care for them. The information will assist individuals, care-givers and practitioners to make informed choices regarding managing the symptoms of ASD, whether it be through medication or other alternatives.”

The researchers would like people aged over 18 years who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder and are currently taking medication to share their experiences through the online, anonymous survey at http://www.deakin.edu.au/psychology/research/autismstudy/"><FONT color=#800080>http://www.deakin.edu.au/psychology/research/autismstudy/</FONT></A><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Responses from care-givers of children and adults are also welcomed.