June 26th, 2011
Bullying is in the media constantly at the present time and whilst many schools and workplaces have introduced anti-bullying programmes, the fact is this bullying is actually getting worse, not better. Bullying has now become so endemic in our society it has now filtered into nearly every single aspect of our life, and when ever I speak to groups, about ASD or raising children or even to corporate organizations on self-leadership, it is the one topic that raises ...
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Tags: ASD, Asperger's, bully-proofing, Bullying, children, difference, Emotions, families, guidance, Intuition, Parenting, parents, teachers
Labels: Asperger's, Parenting
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March 7th, 2011
The one thing I have learned whilst on this journey of Asperger's Syndrome, is that people who judge others really bug me!
Many of you who have been reading this blog, or are members of our Davids Gift Facebook fan page, know that I have been following, with great interest, a young man called James Durbin. This morning I read that James has reached the top 10 in the latest season of American Idol. What an amazing achievement.
James, is a young ...
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Tags: American idol, ASD, Asperger's, Aspergers Syndrom, Autism, challenge, james, James Durbin, judgement, Obsessions, Parenting, Tourettes, Tourettes Syndrome, understanding
Labels: Asperger's, Parenting
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January 10th, 2011
Around Australia over the next few weeks, thousands of children and their parents, begin the excitement of preparing for a new school year.
While most parents see the start of school as the beginning of 'freedom', for parents of a child with Autism, the long journey has just begun. In fact its a little like running a 13 year long marathon!! But as with all achievements in life, with some careful planning, the willingness to ask some tough questions and lots ...
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Tags: ASD, Asperger's, Autism, challenge, children, difference, families, Parenting, Preschool, School start, teachers
Labels: Asperger's, Parenting, Uncategorized
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November 26th, 2010
Oh here we go ...that ‘joyful’ time of the year again. End of school awards nights, Christmas concerts, change in routine and lots of expectations... all the stuff that is supposed to be joyful and exciting, but for many families living with ASD, can mean stress and the constant watch for meltdowns!
Some ASD children thrive during the holidays with all expectations and school routines removed, whilst for others, the lack of routine and structure can cause great consternation.
But by planning ...
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Tags: ASD, Asperger's, Autism, children, Christmas, compassion, difference, families, guidance, Parenting, Strategies, understanding
Labels: Asperger's, Parenting, Uncategorized
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May 12th, 2010
When I am speaking to different groups about Asperger's and Autism, one question that often comes up is how to deal with obsessive behaviours. Many parents are concerned that the obsessions their children are focused on are narrow and can appear to be limiting.
Most children with Asperger's and Autism have a certain thing they are obsessed about. It can often be very frustrating for parents and teachers to guide these young people into turning their obsessions into a something ...
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Tags: ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, Film, guidance, Imagination, Obsessions, parents, teachers
Labels: Asperger's, Parenting
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April 29th, 2010
I came across this video today from the English TV programme, The X Factor. Scott James was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 13 years old, and other than going to school, spent the next seven years hiding from the world, as he developed a fear of being around people. His mother recognised that he loved singing and so enlisted the help of a singing teacher. His performance is not only a celebration of the talent a ...
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Tags: ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, belief, Intuition, Mothers love, Scott James, Singing, understanding
Labels: Asperger's, Parenting
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March 25th, 2010
Bullying? Kevin Rudd has got it wrong too!
Recently the Prime Minister was asked for comment about the increasing incidents of bullying in schools…His simplistic solution to this endemic problem?... "Parents of children who are being bullied should speak to the parents of the child who is bullying."
WRONG… that is just wrong.
It is obvious from his comment that he never had to deal with bullying. Parents should never, ever, ever get involved directly in their children’s ...
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Tags: bully-proofing, Bullying, children, Parenting
Labels: Parenting
5 Comments »
March 14th, 2010
Recently the media has been full of stories about teenagers and violence, in particular teenagers carrying knives. A young boy in Brisbane died after a stab wound to the chest. This happened at a well regarded private school. Both boys came from good families and immediate reports included that both boys were good students and great kids…. well something isn’t right!
13 year old boys don’t take knives to school, 13 year old boys don’t stab their friends, so what on ...
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Tags: fitness, health, Mothers, Parenting, teenagers
Labels: Parenting
2 Comments »
