If you tend to say things without thinking, you may quickly find yourself with your foot in your mouth by saying something hurtful. If you talk too much and monopolize conversations, take too long to get to your point, or cut off and interrupt others, people may begin to avoid interactions with you. Becoming more aware of the feelings and needs of others can go a long way in improving your social connections.

Improve Verbal Interactions

_{Siri Stafford © Photodisc}

Saying Things Without Thinking originally appeared on About.com ADD / ADHD on Thursday, June 30th, 2011 at 15:57:44.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Earlier this week, I noted that that the American Psychiatric Association's new Diagnostic Manual, the DSM 5, will no longer include the official diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.  Another autism spectrum disorder that will disappear - probably forever - is PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified).

PDD-NOS, as it's currently described, is a sort of dumping ground diagnosis, in that it includes anyone who presents with some but not all symptoms of autism when those symptoms cannot be otherwise explained.  Some people with PDD-NOS are relatively mildly impacted by social communications delays and/or repetitive behaviors and interests; others are severely disabled, but have only some of the specific symptoms ascribed to autism.  As might be expected, PDD-NOS is not an especially popular diagnosis among parents or clinicians, so its demise is not likely to be mourned.

The question, of course, is what will happen to those children and adults who currently have a PDD-NOS diagnosis?  Will they still fall under the autism spectrum umbrella when the new DSM goes into effect in 2013?

I asked the American Psychiatric Association, and they provided an answer.  If you don't have time to click on the link right now, I'll give you the short version.  The answer (not surprisingly) is - maybe.  It depends.

More About PDD-NOS and the Autism Spectrum

• What Is Atypical Autism?
• What Is "High Functioning Autism?"
• What is Severe Autism
• When Do Experts Make an Autism Diagnosis
• What Are the Different Types of Autism?

Say Good-Bye to Your Child's PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) originally appeared on About.com Autism on Thursday, June 30th, 2011 at 08:21:32.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

For most parents, children are a source of pride.  Their adorable faces, first steps and achievements along the way all reflect back on mom and dad.  It's a good feeling.

For parents of children with autism, pride can get lost in a flood of anxiety, negative judgements, therapies and ...  let's be honest - public embarrassment.  It's a rare parent of a child with autism who doesn't occasionally feel it would be easier - and less stressful - to raise a typically developing child.  It's even rarer to find the parent of a child with autism who has never felt judged as a result of their child's odd behaviors, tantrums or lack of social skills.

The reality, however, is that every child can be a source of pride.  Children with autism are no exception.

For some parents, the pride comes when their child reaches and passes a developmental milestone, finally using spoken language, using the toilet, sitting through church services, or otherwise growing and changing in an exciting and positive way.

For other parents, pride is an outcome of recognizing their child's strengths in addition to their weaknesses.  We are often proud of our son's incredible ability to observe and describe the natural world...  to remember and reflect on events we've long forgotten...  and - yes!  to recreate sounds as if he were a sound-effect machine!

Even better for parents of kids on the spectrum is the recognition that their child is as good as - or better than! - same age peers at specific activities.  One parent we know discovered that his son with moderate autism has a real talent for golf.  Another discovered that her daughter who is nearly non-verbal is a wonderful singer.  For us, a sense of pride erupts when our son plays a clarinet solo with the school jazz band - and elicits genuine applause from parents in the audience, most of whom have no idea he has "special needs."

Pride in one's child isn't a nice extra.  It's a necessity.  Because a parent who can find nothing to prize in their child is unlikely to find the internal energy or motivation to consistently support, challenge and advocate for that child.  Pride matters.

With all this in mind, I asked the question on the About.com Facebook page "How does your child with autism make you proud?"  So far, there are 17 responses!  I hope you'll add to that list, or comment right here!

How Does Your Child with Autism Make You Proud? originally appeared on About.com Autism on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at 08:40:38.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

As a parent, it is important to be aware of the ways anxiety can present in children. With increased awareness, you'll be able to intervene early and get help.

Understanding Symptoms of Anxiety

_{Photo © Microsoft}

ADHD and Anxiety originally appeared on About.com ADD / ADHD on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 at 14:54:46.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

If you're a member of the autism community, you've probably already heard the news.  The American Psychiatric Association has developed a new diagnostic manual - number five, to be precise.  The DSM 5, like its predecessors, will redefine a whole range of brain-related differences and illnesses, reconfiguring the face of mental health medicine.

Some disorders will be redefined.  Some will be added.  Some will disappear.

Among the disappearing disorders is Asperger Syndrome, presently a discrete diagnosis under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders.  Instead of Asperger Syndrome, high functioning individuals with the core symptoms of autism (now defined essentially as repetitive behaviors and perseverative interests combined with sensory issues) will probably receive an "autism spectrum" diagnosis.  It's also likely that they'll receive some sort of yet-to-defined extra term such as "without intellectual challenges."

I am presently researching and writing a series of articles on the changes in the diagnostic criteria, which are sure to have a profound impact on the world of autism.  Existing information and research about prevalence, trends, treatments and causes are likely to be outdated.  Existing services and programs are likely to change.  Certainly, anyone with Asperger syndrome will wind up with a different diagnosis, either within or outside of the autism spectrum.

As I put together articles based on interviews with the APA and others, I'll let you know that they're available on this site.   The first asks two key questions about changes to Asperger syndrome.

If you have concerns about the new DSM 5 and changes to the autism spectrum criteria, you still have two weeks to comment (until July 15).  Changes to the DSM are anticipated to go into effect in May, 2013.

Why and How Asperger Syndrome Will Disappear originally appeared on About.com Autism on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 at 08:52:18.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Summer can be a difficult time for families with kids on the autism spectrum.  While the school year offers structure, consistency and a whole raft of supports, summer is open-ended and filled with opportunities to do "something new."  This may be great fun for most kids and families, but for those of us coping with autism, it can be a recipe for disaster.

Do you find summer to be a particularly difficult time for you and your child with autism?  How do you provide structure and consistency?  Or have you decided to use the change of rules as an opportunity to help your child learn new skills related to flexibility and patience?

Share your insights, tips and concerns!

How Are You Handling Summer on the Autism Spectrum? originally appeared on About.com Autism on Sunday, June 26th, 2011 at 08:58:09.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

If you or your child or your spouse has ADHD, you may be very familiar with sleep problems - problems getting to sleep at night, frequent awakenings during the night, problems getting back to sleep, difficulty waking up in the morning, daytime sleepiness. All of these sleep issues can commonly accompany ADHD.

Sleep Problems Associated with ADHD

_{Photo © Steve Wisbauer}

ADHD and Sleep Problems originally appeared on About.com ADD / ADHD on Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 21:33:59.

Permalink | Comment | Email this