dapper11: Can you please give us a brief description of what Aspergers is?

  cindy: - has joined the chat -

  MSingson: Hello everyone anf thanks for nviting me to speak on Aspie families, Aspergers is a neurological condition that usually affects social and communication skills.

  dapper11: What causes Aspergers? Is it genetic?

  MSingson: since the symptoms are not so glaring but very subtle, they can easily get lost in the mix

  Shannon H: Is Asperger's sometimes overlooked as a person just being a little quirky if it is not too severe? I've heard that all my life and wondered if there was a connection.

  MSingson: No one knows for certain the casue, however it is believed to be genetic.

  MSingson: yes, shannon and use that term alot, aspie people can be quirky but generally need alone time, down time, or quite time to recompose themselves or experience peace

  MSingson: to much stimulation can cause great anxiety or depression if not monitored.

  Shannon H: What are the tools for diagnosis if it is a milder case?

  MSingson: there is an ABLLS test and GARS test that I;m familiar with that help determine dx

  dapper11: At what age is it diagnosed or determined that it is AS?

  Shannon H: What professionals are able to administer these tests? Do they have to be medical doctors or can counselors do it?

  MSingson: an aspie may not "get the joke", or laugh at things that are not funny to others, theres usually flickering of the eyes, or lack of eye contact, and most importantly, they are concrete thinkers, there are no gray areas.

  MSingson: may me dx as earlt as 5 or as late as 60

  Kim: - has joined the chat -

  dapper11: Is it a mental condition or mental problem?

  MSingson: psychologist and psychiatrist usally administer, counselors probably could if they have tools, but it may or may not be recognized as a true dx

  MSingson: Aspergers, HFA, PDD, these are not mental probs, but rather neurological condition's or disorders

  MSingson: AS may effect the persons sensory system, like heat intolerance, or preferring coldness, loud noise may make them anxious, flickering lights may hurt their eyes or head,

  dapper11: So is their treatment for AS?

  MSingson: AS persons are very smart about certain topics, particularly those of interest to them

  MSingson: thereare many tx for AS, the earlier we begin, the greater the succes, thers OT, ST, PT, SI, social skills groups, and counseling

  Kim: My son was diagnosed with Aspergers at the age of 18 my husband and I have a neice that is Autistic and we always saw similarites with my son. But the Drs. never dianosed until 18 is there some way that parents can make sure the right people assess their children?

  MSingson: occupation therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, sensory integration,

  MSingson: I believe networking amongst other families is going to be one of our greatest tools. then we can share who those Doc's are, where to find them, etc. and also forewarn about those whom may not be so attentive or resourceful

  dapper11: How does AS relate to Autism?

  MSingson: AS is certainly a higher functioning form of Auti, however, a person w/ AS will have met their milestones on time, first words, walking, talking, crawling, potty training, feeding, With autism, there were usually significant delays in these areas

  Shannon H: Can AS be overcome if caught early?

  Kim: What kind of Resources are available for families with children with Aspergers Im from south Georgia and Resourse for anything are almost non existant

  chatadmin: Marcia, what has been you greatest challenge as a parent with a child diagnosed with Aspergers?

  MSingson: there may always be some quirkiness, but the more important things, like social skills, anger mgt, stress mgt, communication skils, etiquette

  MSingson: a behavior therapist, counseling for stress, depression, are some starters

  MSingson: the school counselor may offer social skills and the high schools usually have life skills classes.

  MSingson: basically, someone with AS has very poor reasoning skills, critical thinking skills, and or sequential thinking skills

  MSingson: reasoning skills AKA common sence

  joy c: - has joined the chat -

  MSingson: due to poor reasoning skills, bullying is a HUGE concern for persons on the spectrum, because they dont recognize it as bullying, they think thats just the way it is.

  Kim: Are speech promblems normal for children with Aspergers?

  MSingson: we as caregivers, professionals, and mentors must be very proactive in this area to prevent more serious problems in the future

  Kim: Do you mean they bully or are bullied?

  MSingson: speech can be normal sounding, or very "professor like" however, it's the pragmatics and idioms they struggle wtih most

  MSingson: usually they are bullied but if it goes unchecked, we can see why and how they would start bullying to divert attention away from their weaknesses

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  Kay: - has joined the chat -

  dapper11: How can I get my child with AS to be more sociable?

  MSingson: my son is the very non-confrontational type and wants to believe that people who bully him are just bullied at home?

  MSingson: involve your child with a social skills group or groups, help them discover their niche in life or for that season and get them involved with others; ie he like art, find an art club, he like acting and pretending, find a drama club

  Kim: I have seen my son become angry as he has become an adult , what are some ways to help him deal with his coming of age and his Aspergers when his pears are driving and doing things he can't?

  MSingson: wow Kim, that's not easy

  cindy: - has joined the chat -

  MSingson: his frustration is very understandable, but working through these feelings of inadequacy or uncertainty with a trained and skilled professional can be very helpful over time.

  Kim: He's not angry all the time but I see him getting very frustrated at his situation and agian we have few resources.

  joy c: what about the transition services, msingson

  Kim: Transistion services here are signing him up at voc rehab and thats it.

  MSingson: most persons with AS dont strive to be popular, wear trendy clothes, do the partying, drinking, concerts, etc because of sensory and stimulation overload, however,

  MSingson: highschools usually have a transition coordinator or VR can help in that area to help the transion be more embraced and planned for

  MSingson: they will prepare them ahead of time for work skills, life skills, technical college or university

  Kim: Yes that would have been nice, but no such thing in this county

  MSingson: our transition coord. helped with interviewing skills, completing applications and making resumes, looking for the job that would be most suited for us

  MSingson: VR is available through DHR

  dapper11: Can they function in a regular classroom or do they need to be in special classes?

  cindy: what are some suggestions that we mignt use to help other children/family members understand and communicate with a child with as?

  MSingson: it's helpful if they can begin in special ed and later master the art of transition so that they are successful in reg ed. but not everyone was able to experience that smooth transition, especially if they were not dxed until much later

  MSingson: consistency, communication, community, and committment are key elements for equipping and empowering our familes of AS

  MSingson: since they are concrete thinkers, we need to try and have as many routines as necessary for them so they know how to plan and what to plan for.

  MSingson: transition is very very difficult for many perons on the autism spectrum

  MSingson: please view our website at www.georgiaaspergersorganization.org because we have alot of resources and suggestions to help every family out

  dapper11: So there is room for growth and improvement what happens when they become an adult.

  MSingson: as far as communication with our AS families, I believe we MUST talk in clear and concise fashion, it cannot be at all vague, or they may miss it all together

  dapper11: Are they able to function in society?

  MSingson: there is always room for growth and improvement. that is our responsibility,as a community to better understand and build those bridges that provide a way of inclusion

  dapper11: As we come to a close is there anything else you would like to leave us with about AS?

  MSingson: they can function in society, however, it takes teamwork, many persons have had alot of different jobs because they have not mastered the skill of patience, self control,

  MSingson: My hope is that we will all cotinue to recognize and acknowledge their strengths and gifts more that their weaknesses and struggles. Problem areas can sometimes be glaring but lets make a real difference and focus on the more important things, gifts, uniqueness, expert knowledge of certain interests

  MSingson: and their kind ways

  dapper11: Thank you everyone for joining us tonight. Thank you Marcia Singson for sharing with us tonight.

  dapper11: Goodnight Everyone

  MSingson: I appreciate you joining us to learn more about AS and how together we can make a difference

  dapper11: This ends our chat please join us next month