Asperger Syndrome

If your child is diagnosed with Asperger syndrome (AS), you may need to be ready to fight; in order to get the help that your child will need. But before you begin the fight, you need to know the rules, your rights, and how to get the most out of the system.

This is where I can help you!!!

First you need to understand Asperger, what it means and how it relates to your child. Asperger syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by major difficulties in social interaction, and restricted and unusual patterns of interest and behaviour. It is also sometimes referred to as "Higher Functioning Autism"

Treatment of Asperger

For your child to excel, it is best if he is learning in a relatively small setting with ample opportunity for individual attention, individual approaches and small groups.

There also needs to be the availability of a communication specialist with a special interest in pragmatics and social skills training, who can be available for individual and small group work.

Opportunities for social interaction and facilitation of social relationships are needed to be present in a fairly structured environment with supervised activities.

There also needs to be efforts made for the acquisition of real life skills, in addition to the academic goals; in order to make use of creative initiatives and making full use of the individual's interests and talents.

There is a need to adapt the curriculum content and requirements in order to flexibly provide opportunities for success as well as to foster the acquisition of a more positive self-esteem.

It is also recommended to have the availability of an experienced and sensitive counsellor who can focus on the child's emotional well being, and who could serve as a coordinator of services.

How do you get the treatment your child needs?

This is where I can help. Having worked several years in the public sector for children with special needs, I can:

• ADVISE you of your rights regarding special education for your child.
• INFORM you of financial subsidies available to you for your child
• DIRECT you to service providers who are mandated to offer treatment
• EQUIP you with the information, tools and methods needed to insure that you are able to access all the services and treatments that your child is entitled to, but you may not be aware of.