Comments on: Try This Tuesday #13: What Should I Try? http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/ Support. Insight. Inspiration Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:52:51 -0400 hourly 1 By: Trish http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3652 Trish Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:44:29 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3652 Thank you all so much for your ideas. You've given me a lot to think about and I appreciate everyone's input very much. I am definitely planning to take it slow and steady! Thank you all so much for your ideas. You've given me a lot to think about and I appreciate everyone's input very much.

I am definitely planning to take it slow and steady!

]]> By: Spring http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3581 Spring Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:39:32 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3581 Hi Trish, Sorry to post so late...I wrote a post on my site about how we told our 2, one has medical special needs, the other is mentally ill with PDD-NOS, learning disabilities, and a long list of other diagnoses. We've had to be creative with helping her deal with teasing; she's fragile. Glad you're starting the conversation. Keep it simple. Not too much info; use "his language", language he's comfortable with. Hope this helps. I know you'll do a great job with this! Hi Trish,
Sorry to post so late…I wrote a post on my site about how we told our 2, one has medical special needs, the other is mentally ill with PDD-NOS, learning disabilities, and a long list of other diagnoses. We've had to be creative with helping her deal with teasing; she's fragile.

Glad you're starting the conversation. Keep it simple. Not too much info; use "his language", language he's comfortable with. Hope this helps. I know you'll do a great job with this!

]]> By: Rickismom http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3570 Rickismom Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:24:30 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3570 Ricki has Down s., not Autism, so I am not sure if this would work the same... but what we did was this: The year that Ricki should have gone to first grade, her private teacher and I made a book. It showed a child with CP and leg braces. The story was about her painting a picture. The leg braces were pointed out, but not emphasised. Later, we made a book where each page showed a child with a disability, and what tools they had to help them. For Down syndrome, I specifically did NOT use Ricki, but another girl. I also made a matching game of child card (disability) and tools. The teacher mentioned casually that Ricki had some trouble learning, so she had a private teacher. Then, when seeing someone with DS, I would casually mention that they had DS. After a few weeks, we broke the news to her. She wasn't too happy, but not too sad either. Slowly she has come to accept the diagnosis. Ricki has Down s., not Autism, so I am not sure if this would work the same… but what we did was this:
The year that Ricki should have gone to first grade, her private teacher and I made a book. It showed a child with CP and leg braces. The story was about her painting a picture. The leg braces were pointed out, but not emphasised. Later, we made a book where each page showed a child with a disability, and what tools they had to help them. For Down syndrome, I specifically did NOT use Ricki, but another girl.
I also made a matching game of child card (disability) and tools. The teacher mentioned casually that Ricki had some trouble learning, so she had a private teacher.
Then, when seeing someone with DS, I would casually mention that they had DS. After a few weeks, we broke the news to her. She wasn't too happy, but not too sad either. Slowly she has come to accept the diagnosis.

]]> By: Julie http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3567 Julie Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:53:13 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3567 Oh, Trish- I have no idea. This is something I need to learn myself. I feel for your son especially since he's starting to notice and his self esteem is suffering. Maybe as you explain some of his "weaknessess" you can also focus on his strengths. <b><a href="http://www.ct-asrc.org/docs/strengths.pdf" rel="nofollow">Here is a link</b></a> I was given when Daniel was diagnosed. I am interested in finding out more and going back to read the other comments. Best wishes and good luck!!! P.S. I like that you've asked a question this time... I find that usually I have more questions than answers, so I like to read the responses. Oh, Trish- I have no idea. This is something I need to learn myself. I feel for your son especially since he's starting to notice and his self esteem is suffering. Maybe as you explain some of his "weaknessess" you can also focus on his strengths. Here is a link I was given when Daniel was diagnosed. I am interested in finding out more and going back to read the other comments. Best wishes and good luck!!!

P.S. I like that you've asked a question this time… I find that usually I have more questions than answers, so I like to read the responses.

]]> By: Amazing_Grace http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3555 Amazing_Grace Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:05:36 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3555 I know there are new books out on this subject, but since I have not used them I can only tell you about what I used. Try This Tuesday #12: Explaining To Your Child That He Has AS I know there are new books out on this subject, but since I have not used them I can only tell you about what I used.

Try This Tuesday #12: Explaining To Your Child That He Has AS

]]> By: Shara http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3550 Shara Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:01:26 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3550 Thank you so much for this post! I have a son who is autistic, and I had not even considered telling him about his diagnosis yet. You know, sometimes I end up doing the same thing I get irritated with other parents for doing-- assuming he wouldn't understand. You have encouraged me to do that for him. I guess I am not one to give advice (since you have taught me something!), but I think that if he is aware of the differences between him and others, maybe it would give him peace to know. Please let us know how it goes. Thank you so much for this post! I have a son who is autistic, and I had not even considered telling him about his diagnosis yet. You know, sometimes I end up doing the same thing I get irritated with other parents for doing– assuming he wouldn't understand. You have encouraged me to do that for him.

I guess I am not one to give advice (since you have taught me something!), but I think that if he is aware of the differences between him and others, maybe it would give him peace to know. Please let us know how it goes.

]]> By: Fielding J. Hurst http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3549 Fielding J. Hurst Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:55:12 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3549 Probably the sooner you start talking about it the better. Like adoption, parents should probably start early. Probably the sooner you start talking about it the better. Like adoption, parents should probably start early.

]]> By: Victoria http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3538 Victoria Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:40:06 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3538 Hi Trish, I have two boys on the autism spectrum. I started talking about autism with my oldest when he was seven. There are a lot of good books specifically for kids to help explain autism -- some are to explain autism to the person who is on the spectrum, and some are stories to explain it to peers. I like "I Have Autism" published by Super Duper (www.superduperinc.com); it is short, brief and good for kids your son's age. I also like "I am Utterly Unique" and "Amazingly Alphie". You can find these books at www.asperger.net or other online sites. Another thing I do is model person-first language. We say "you have autism", not "you're autistic". I want my kids to see that having autism is one (among many) things about them, and doesn't define who they are. Hope this is helpful! - Victoria Gotta disagree about the movie recommendations - I have yet to see a movie that depicts autism in a positive way. They all either have savant characteristics or are psychic. Hi Trish,

I have two boys on the autism spectrum. I started talking about autism with my oldest when he was seven. There are a lot of good books specifically for kids to help explain autism — some are to explain autism to the person who is on the spectrum, and some are stories to explain it to peers. I like "I Have Autism" published by Super Duper (www.superduperinc.com); it is short, brief and good for kids your son's age. I also like "I am Utterly Unique" and "Amazingly Alphie". You can find these books at http://www.asperger.net or other online sites.

Another thing I do is model person-first language. We say "you have autism", not "you're autistic". I want my kids to see that having autism is one (among many) things about them, and doesn't define who they are.

Hope this is helpful! – Victoria
Gotta disagree about the movie recommendations – I have yet to see a movie that depicts autism in a positive way. They all either have savant characteristics or are psychic.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3534 Jenny Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:16:14 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3534 Wow, Trish, I've got no advice to offer you as we haven't dealt with that issue. But, I'm so glad you brought this up. It's something that keeps me awake sometimes, worrying about how we will address this in the future. I look forward to reading the other comments! Wow, Trish, I've got no advice to offer you as we haven't dealt with that issue. But, I'm so glad you brought this up. It's something that keeps me awake sometimes, worrying about how we will address this in the future. I look forward to reading the other comments!

]]> By: earthlingorgeous http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/476/try-this-tuesday-13-what-should-i-try/#comment-3533 earthlingorgeous Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:14:22 +0000 http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=476#comment-3533 Well since your child is verbal maybe you can let him watch some movies with you related to autism like the Rain Man or the Beautiful Mind of if you can find this documentary Invisible Walls he might understand. Give a positive tone on his difference. If there are autism centers giving seminars near you and they have this material showing characteristics of autism it could help too. Well since your child is verbal maybe you can let him watch some movies with you related to autism like the Rain Man or the Beautiful Mind of if you can find this documentary Invisible Walls he might understand.

Give a positive tone on his difference. If there are autism centers giving seminars near you and they have this material showing characteristics of autism it could help too.

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