OASIS AUTISM TALK: They're NOT the puzzle. We are!: A Note from OASIS Autism Founder, Angel Thompson

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A Note from OASIS Autism Founder, Angel Thompson

I remember when we began our first OASIS Chapter in Wooster, Ohio. I remember when we had Sondra Williams come to speak. An Author, a friend, an incredible mother of 4 children on the Autism Spectrum and she herself having High Functioning Autism. We were able to give 12 of her books away at that mini seminar. I remember Marti Leimbach coming from England to share about her book as well as share about being the mother of a child with Autism. (She made quite an impact in our son's life)

I love being able to give resources to our families. This Friday, October 17th we will be having our first meeting for our OASIS Chapter in Geneva, Ohio. Can you believe it? We are starting another chapter to reach out to more families who live daily with Autism and those w

ho work with our kiddos.

When Matt and I founded OASIS back in 2004, we had 6 people come to our first meeting. Yet we quickly found out there were more walking this same journey, and now the Wooster Chapter reaches over 100 families and our site reaches across the US as well as 50 different countries across our globe.

So, as I stated earlier, this Friday, October 17th is our OASIS Geneva Chapter's first meeting. A v

ery informal and casual meeting. We will have our bounce house up for the kids to jump in, there will be refreshments. You will get to hear from Matt and I about OASIS and how we desire to be a place of support and resources for families and professionals, and as always we will have "stuff" to give away. Like the book , Daniel Isn't Talking from my good friend and author, Marti Leimbach, 5 emergency decals, zipper tags and more.

Date: October 17

Time: 7pm - 8:30pm

Location: Geneva Church of Christ

1007 S Broadway

Geneva, OH 44041

Click GCC for directions

RSVP to angelt@oasisautism.org

Top 10 Tips for Understanding and Managing Your Autistic Child"s Behavior

From Lisa Jo Rudy,Your Guide to Autism.
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Steven Gans, M.D.

Children with autism are LESS likely to misbehave intentionally than typical children. Their apparent bad behaviors -- such as bolting from the room, whacking a peer, refusing to take part in circle time, climbing the fridge -- are often caused by external problems that can be solved by calm, creative parents. These hints and tips, provided in part by About.com readers, may make for a calmer family life.

1) Know Your Child
Few autistic children are intentionally "bad." Many have difficult behaviors. So what's going on? Each child is different, and knowing your own child is key to taking action. Is your child extra-sensitive to sound and light? Does she need lots of sensory input? Is he likely to misunderstand a close approach? The more you know, the easier it is to troubleshoot a situation.
2) Modify Your Expectations
Your mother may have expected you to sit still through a full dinner hour. But that's not a reasonable expectation for most children with autism. Consider starting with a smaller goal -- sitting still for three minutes, eating with a fork, or whatever you think he can handle -- and building toward the larger goal of sitting through a full meal.
3) Modify the Environment
Safety is key. And for autistic children, creating a safe environment is a challenge. Since so many of your child's behaviors may have the potential to be dangerous, it's important to take precautions such as bolting shelves to the walls and floor, putting a dead bolt on the front door, and latching cabinets securely. One About.com reader even put plexiglass on the fronts of bookshelves to keep her child from climbing.
4) Consider the Possible Sources of the Behavior
Many children on the autism spectrum either crave or over-respond to sensory input. Some alternate between the two extremes. Very often, "bad" behavior is actually a reaction to too much or too little sensory input. By carefully observing your child, you may be able to figure out what's setting him off.
5) Remove Overwhelming Sensory Input
If your child is over-reacting to sensory input, there are many ways to change the situation. Of course, the first option is to simply avoid overwhelming sensory settings such as parades, amusement parks and the like. When that's not an option, consider ear plugs, distracting sensory toys, or plain old bribery to get through difficult moments.
6) Provide Sensory Input
If your child is crashing into couches, climbing the walls or spinning in circles, chances are she's craving sensory input. You can provide that in any number of more appropriate ways. Some people recommend bear hugs; other suggest squeezing youngsters between sofa cushions, rolling them up like "hot dogs" in blankets, or providing them with weighted vests or quilts.
7) Look for Positive Outlets for Unusual Behaviors
While climbing the entertainment center may be "bad" behavior, climbing at a rock gym can be a great way to build muscles and friendships at the same time. While spinning at the grocery store may be odd, it's ok to twirl on a tire swing. What's a problem in one place may be a virtue in another!
8) Enjoy Your Child's Successes
We were the only parents on the block to cheer at our son's first intentional fib. We're thrilled when he says "yes" to a playdate, completes a full sentence, or kicks a ball back and forth a few times. He's not likely to captain the soccer team -- but he is successfully becoming himself.
9) Worry Less About Others' Opinions
Your child is really doing a fine job in the grocery store. He may be flapping a bit, but it's no big deal. Until you catch the eye of the mom with the perfect little girl -- staring at your son. Suddenly his flapping seems like a very big deal, and you find yourself snapping at your son to "just put his hands down!" It's not easy, but it's important to remember that he's autistic -- not intentionally embarrassing!
10) Find Ways to Have Fun Together
It's not always easy to associate autism and fun. But if you think about it, rolling your child up like a hot dog, bouncing on a trampoline or even sitting and cuddling together can be a lot of fun. Instead of worrying about the therapeutic value of each action, try just enjoying the silliness, the tickling, the cuddling...and the child. At least for a little while!

OASIS AUTISM TALK: They're NOT the puzzle. We are!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A Note from OASIS Autism Founder, Angel Thompson

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