ASA's 36th National Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders (July 13-16, 2005)

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Thursday, July 14, 2005: 1:30 PM-3:00 PM
204
#1077- Practical Solutions for the Home
This session will provide families of children with Asperger Syndrome and HFA with practical tools for the home, community, vacations, and family outings. In addition, attendees will be provided information on how to build relationships in schools in order to develop a team and provide much-needed supports for their children.

Presenters:Brenda S. Myles, University of Kansas, Professor - Brenda Smith Myles, Ph.D. is an associate professor at the University of Kansas where she co-directs a graduate program in Asperger Syndrome and autism. She has written numerous articles and books on Asperger Syndrome and autism including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns

Kristi Sakai, Parent and Author - Kristi Sakai is the parent of three children on the autism spectrum and the author of Asperger Syndrome and the Family: Practical Solutions for the Home, School, and Community. She is a member of the board of directors of Might Oaks Children's Center in Albany, OR.

Ronda Schelvan, Special Education Teacher - Ronda Schelvan is a special educator in Kelso, Washington where she teachs children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In addition, she is a member of the Autism Cadre in Washington that coordinates training for teachers of children with ASD. The author of The Hidden Curriculum: Practical Solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations, she has presented and consulted internationally.

 
Families of children and youth with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA) often struggle to provide the best intervention options, structures, and supports for their children. While some researchers and practitioners have provided strategies and techniques for children with AS and HFA at school, few have recognized the multi-faceted challenges that parents face at home, in the community, on vacations, on holidays, on family outings, etc. This session will provide practical solutions on how parents can plan and carry-out successful family activities with their children.

Beginning with a brief overview of the characteristics of children with HFA and AS, this session will provide a discussion as well as examples of tools for the homes, including visual supports, priming and predictions, and reward systems. Activities that support community outings and how to handle child meltdowns in public will also be discussed. Easy-to-use strategies related to family outings, such as family reunions, picnics, and movies, will also be outlined. Essential components such as helping relatives understand a child with AS or HFA, having realistic expectations for the child and relatives, understanding the impact of sensory issues on outings, and structuring successful family times will also be discussed.

Empowerment strategies are an important part of this presentation. Parent attendees will be provided information on how to have confidence in their role as an expert on their children and how to serve as an advocate for their children. Educator attendees will be encouraged to view parents as a resource and support person who has information that is meaningful and valid. In addition, parents will be provided information on the importance of taking care of themselves to ensure that they can be at their best for their children.

The learning objectives are as follows. Following the presentations, learners will be able to:

1. Understand the characteristics of AS/HFA that impact the family.

2. Identify strategies to facilitate a successful day-to-day life.

3. Name techniques and supports that can be used with extended family members.

4. Plan vacations that are successful for families with a member with HFA/AS.

5. Understand and use empowerment strategies.

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