Last week, Sam asked a great question: if I could give one single word that best describes what autism is or how it feels to have autism, what would it be? That single word is anxiety. This week, I want to give you some techniques to use with people with autism to ease that high anxiety level they suffer. And I do mean suffer. Anxiety ...

Anxiety Dear Kathie: I know that autism (ASD) is a complex syndrome. I had a parent ask me just the other day if I could give them one single word that best describes what autism is or how it feels to have autism. I guess because you know about autism and you've lived with it for so many years raising your son, I felt that perhaps you ...

  I've blogged about many of the presenters, their platforms, programs, ideas, and sessions that I was privileged to meet, greet, and learn from at ASHA 2011. I scampered up and down the aisles of the exhibit hall seeking new ideas, books, electronics, and freebies. I reminisced with seasoned SLP friends and I felt renewed to ...

  This blog is based on the following presentation from ASHA 2011: Language Development for Autism Through Creative Dramatics: Building Blocks Model By Julia Byers Van Volkenburg, M. Ed, CCC-SLP, Doctoral Candidate, West Virginia University   Julia Byers Van Volkenburg, M. Ed, CCC-SLP, knows drama. She loves drama and ...

Dear parents, As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at (name of school), I am aware how over-stimulating the holidays can be for children on the autism spectrum. This sensory overload can cause unexpected social and emotional meltdowns. These meltdowns can be in public or in the privacy of your own home. Here is a list of some ...

  I strongly believe in the Theory of Mind. It is the capacity we have to understand mental states such as: beliefs, feelings, desires, hope and intentions. It's the way we imagine other people's feelings or thoughts. We can create and predict based on these feelings we have about others. For people on the autism spectrum, this ...

   What better time to teach social skills to children with ASD than at Christmas! Santa would so approve. I believe that all children with autism want to please their parents, teachers, friends, Santa and yes, their speech therapist. I believe they don't always know how. In fact, I know they don't know how to make the ...

  This blog is based on the following presentation from the 2011 ASHA Convention: Opening the GATE to Conversation for Adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome Elizabeth Serpentine, fifth year PhD, Penn State University eac166@psu.edu Kathryn Drager, PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor, Penn State ...

  This blog is based on the following presentation from the 2011 ASHA Convention: Are You in The Zone? Social Awareness for Asperger's Syndrome and Managing the Emotional Roller Coaster Through Social Pragmatic Communication Professional Communication Services, Inc. 1401-A Edgewater Dr. • Orlando, FL ...

  This blog is based on the following presentation from the 2011 ASHA Convention: Exploring Child Characteristics/Family Factors in Evidence-Based Practice for Autism By Twyla Perryman, PhD, CCC-SLP Assistant Professor East Carolina University, Greenville, NC perrymant@ecu.edu    Dr. Perryman and Kathie Dr. ...