[SPAM] Re: Re: off topic question - Ruth

[Guest guest]

Sometimes it is exhausting to go through the "what do you need" routine with Mack (15yo), especially when he yells, "I don't know. I have no idea!" Then I just have to tell him to stand there and think about it. Sometimes that makes him stand there and pout. Then I tell him that I will help him when he is ready. Yesterday he was trying to cook a frozen pizza and had no idea how to even start. I know that he has eaten them before so I asked him how he did it before. Then he told me that Sam, his brother cooked them. So, we went through the entire process, but he could not figure out how he was going to get the pizza out of the oven without getting burned because it was hot. Evidently the residential treatment center didn't work on cooking skills, but he can clean a bathroom and scrub floors.

Donna

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of RoseSent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 3:28 PM Subject: [sPAM] Re: ( ) Re: off topic question - Ruth

Ruth,

I would request everything needed in writing .

Sadly, a big part of the reason why I have done so muchstudying/observing on Asperger is because we get very little help fromschool. He has a 504 plan (request an IEP) with some supports for his executivedysfunction, things teachers checking and signing his agenda everyday, etc. Some of his 504 plan supports are good in theory, but sincehis teachers are all regular classroom teachers and no special edstaff are involved, pretty much nobody understands what they need tobe doing--and they don't take kindly to advice from me. So, I'mpretty much trying to coordinate special ed from home, hiring my ownspeech/OT therapist/tutors etc. and trying to figure out what we needto be working on. Since he doesn't have special ed, my therapists arenot allowed to talk to the teachers. It is a daily thing I spendhours on every week with only minimal results since it isn't beingdone right. Very frustrating. I know many on the list go through thesame thing.

Have you thought about requesting in writing that your son be placed on an IEP instead of a 504 plan. also, for my son to help him become more independent, they have a organizer sheet in his assignment book. it looks something like this:

Monday

do I need my math book _____yes, _____no - do I have my math book___yes___no

do I need my science bk _____yes,_____no - do I have my science bk ___yes___no

They have this from Mon - Fri each week, the teacher signs off on that after she checks his organizer sheet and school bag to see if he has everything needed.

I have something like that at home. My son does so much better with that organizer work list. Also, my son has all regular ed teachers. but, he also has a resource room teacher - when she understands my concerns - she is a Hugh help. you will feel so relieved when you have the right strategies that work and the right help from school. you will be amazed with the progress you will see with your son !. and like me, you also have outside help too. I did that same thing you are doing, when I wasn't getting the right help from school. I got it myself from the outside.

Now - all you have to do is - LOL - get everybody on the same page, all communication together - I was just laughing because I know how hard that's going to be. but if you stick with it, every day - let them know you aren't going to give up and make them listen. When this all takes place and your all working together on this. you will see the Hugh progress... and relief for you !. set up a meeting, let them all know what your doing and what you need for them to help you with your son. THEN BACK THAT UP IN WRITING. Get documentation from all your outside help showing the school what is needed.What are the strategies your using at home with him? Honestly, just being patient and giving him time, and being veryexplicit about everything. I can't say as I feel like I am doinggreat with him. But you are !.summer we are working on ADLs (Activities ofdaily life), trying to get him going more on personal hygiene, chores,fixing himself things to eat, etc. Our OT has helped us put togethera little program. We are working on one or two things at a time. I'mjust trying to get him DOING things, and hopefully I can get himthinking about doing at least a little something on his owninitiative. So far, I dunno... What has helped us with this " life skill are ". If my

son were to make a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich. first I'll ask he to tell

me what he needs to do to make it. (verbally first). He will say he needs

the bread, knife, peanut butter, jelly, dish. Then I'll ask him what he needs to

do to make the sandwich - he will verbally tell me first. then he's ready to make it. - we don't have to go over this anymore with PB & J.

we then did this for him to make waffles - first verbally - then he was ready to make them. same with the shower - When he tells me first - it works out so much better. as for cleaning his room. first I'll give him an index card that says: pick up all your clothes and put them into the hamper and come to me when finished. the next card will say : pick up all your toys and put them back into the bucket, when your finished, come back to me. then the next card will say: sweep the floor & into the shovel and empty that into the garbage. It has to be in all those steps for him to clean his room. Now I don't have to elaborate so much with each step.

We are in between speech therapists right now, and I haven't been ableto find one that is a good fit. So, that is something I'm hoping toget together by the end of the summer at least. I'm getting to whereI'm thinking I may have to go ahead and start his speech therapymyself, with his brother perhaps. I'm on a waiting list for a place

Your on a waiting list to find a place or for an opening ? if for an opening - ask them to also put your name on a cancellation list. Then I would also put in writing to the school that you want your son to receive speech and anything else you feel he needs. ask them to respond back to you in writing. Have you considered sending your son for a CAPT ? that was another hugh help for us.

I wish you the best - with the school for this September. Once they understand what you need and work with your son - you will see the progress. Don't forget, the school is on a budget - money thing - so you will need to be a strong advocate, request in writing, document everything, and bring in all those documents from your outside help. Request an IEP for him and progress reports, goals, and anything else you can think of to help your son. I hope something here can help you. it takes baby steps but worth it.

Have a good 4th of July day

Rose

r_woman2 <me2ruth > wrote:

>> Ruth, I think you are the one that's fully understanding what I'mtalking about !!! Thanks, that makes me feel good!> ... Does this sound like your son ? My son can memorize his wholehistory lesson, the history ch. a good book his likes, movies,commercials etc...but, If you were to tell him to give me this letteryou just wrote - he would forget. he also forgot his award patches hereceived from football that he was so proud of, and forgot to tell mehe got the awards.. A test that he got 100% on, he was supposed totake it to me to> sign it and forgot to show it to me. Yes, this sounds very much like my son.> when its time to leave, my son would be walking to the car withnothing. I'll ask him where is he going? son -to the car - me, thenwhere next? -son - to the lake,- me - what are you going to do there?- son - swim, - I said with your clothes on? - son - OH NO. That'swhen it connected with him that he needs a swim suit. I was told todo all these steps so he can think of what he has to do. Now I'm toldto have a laminated list that is something like this: > Swimming - and have everything on that list of what he needs tobring to pack.> football - list everything on that list what he needs to have toplay football.> and the same for school, church, or anything else we do all needsa separate list. This is both my kids, one aspie and one suspected aspie. Thanks forposting this! I still struggle to do things like this.> Ruth, Does the school get all this, and working on all your son'sneeds in school ?. How is he doing ?. Sadly, a big part of the reason why I have done so muchstudying/observing on Asperger is because we get very little help fromschool. He has a 504 plan with some supports for his executivedysfunction, things teachers checking and signing his agenda everyday, etc. Some of his 504 plan supports are good in theory, but sincehis teachers are all regular classroom teachers and no special edstaff are involved, pretty much nobody understands what they need tobe doing--and they don't take kindly to advice from me. So, I'mpretty much trying to coordinate special ed from home, hiring my ownspeech/OT therapist/tutors etc. and trying to figure out what we needto be working on. Since he doesn't have special ed, my therapists arenot allowed to talk to the teachers. It is a daily thing I spendhours on every week with only minimal results since it isn't beingdone right. Very frustrating. I know many on the list go through thesame thing.What are the strategies your using at home with him? Honestly, just being patient and giving him time, and being veryexplicit about everything. I can't say as I feel like I am doinggreat with him. This summer we are working on ADLs (Activities ofdaily life), trying to get him going more on personal hygiene, chores,fixing himself things to eat, etc. Our OT has helped us put togethera little program. We are working on one or two things at a time. I'mjust trying to get him DOING things, and hopefully I can get himthinking about doing at least a little something on his owninitiative. So far, I dunno... We are in between speech therapists right now, and I haven't been ableto find one that is a good fit. So, that is something I'm hoping toget together by the end of the summer at least. I'm getting to whereI'm thinking I may have to go ahead and start his speech therapymyself, with his brother perhaps. I'm on a waiting list for a placethat is supposed to be very good, but it may be a long wait.Ruth

[Guest guest]

Donna, How sad it that ?. I would tell the ""residential center staff"" my feelings about that, and put them right in a SPOT !. I would say it's amazing. Mack knows how to clean the bathroom and scrub the floors very well. But he doesn't know how to cook the pizza or take it out from the oven without getting burned. How convienent is that for you to have Mack do the bathroom, and you the pizza !. I wouldn't have a problem telling them that. Then I would ask them does Mack know how to take the garbage out and clean the garbage cans too ?. I think they will get your point. That made me so mad I can imagine how you feel. SORRY RoseDonna <donnalmoore@...> wrote: Sometimes it is exhausting to go through the "what do you need" routine with Mack (15yo), especially when he yells, "I don't know. I have no idea!" Then I just have to tell him to stand there and think about it. Sometimes that makes him stand there and pout. Then I tell him that I will help him when he is ready. Yesterday he was trying to cook a frozen pizza and had no idea how to even start. I know that he has eaten them before so I asked him how he did it before. Then he told me that Sam, his brother cooked them. So, we went through the entire process, but he could not figure

out how he was going to get the pizza out of the oven without getting burned because it was hot. Evidently the residential treatment center didn't work on cooking skills, but he can clean a bathroom and scrub floors. Donna -----Original Message-----From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of RoseSent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 3:28 PM Subject: [sPAM] Re: ( ) Re: off topic question - Ruth Ruth, I would request everything needed in writing . Sadly, a big part of the reason why I have done so muchstudying/observing on Asperger is because we get very little help fromschool. He has a 504 plan (request an IEP) with some supports for his executivedysfunction, things teachers checking and signing his agenda everyday, etc. Some of his 504 plan supports are good in theory, but sincehis teachers are all regular classroom teachers and no special edstaff are involved, pretty much nobody understands what they need tobe doing--and

they don't take kindly to advice from me. So, I'mpretty much trying to coordinate special ed from home, hiring my ownspeech/OT therapist/tutors etc. and trying to figure out what we needto be working on. Since he doesn't have special ed, my therapists arenot allowed to talk to the teachers. It is a daily thing I spendhours on every week with only minimal results since it isn't beingdone right. Very frustrating. I know many on the list go through thesame thing. Have you thought about requesting in writing that your son be placed on an IEP instead of a 504 plan. also, for my son to help him become more independent, they have a organizer sheet in his assignment book. it looks something like this: Monday do I need my math book _____yes, _____no - do I have my math

book___yes___no do I need my science bk _____yes,_____no - do I have my science bk ___yes___no They have this from Mon - Fri each week, the teacher signs off on that after she checks his organizer sheet and school bag to see if he has everything needed. I have something like that at home. My son does so much better with that organizer work list. Also, my son has all regular ed teachers. but, he also has a resource room teacher - when she understands my concerns - she is a Hugh help. you will feel so relieved when you have the right strategies that work and the right help from school. you will be amazed with the progress you will see with your son !. and like me, you also have outside help too. I did that same thing you are doing, when I wasn't getting

the right help from school. I got it myself from the outside. Now - all you have to do is - LOL - get everybody on the same page, all communication together - I was just laughing because I know how hard that's going to be. but if you stick with it, every day - let them know you aren't going to give up and make them listen. When this all takes place and your all working together on this. you will see the Hugh progress... and relief for you !. set up a meeting, let them all know what your doing and what you need for them to help you with your son. THEN BACK THAT UP IN WRITING. Get documentation from all your outside help showing the school what is needed.What are the strategies your using at home with him? Honestly, just being patient and giving him time, and being veryexplicit

about everything. I can't say as I feel like I am doinggreat with him. But you are !.summer we are working on ADLs (Activities ofdaily life), trying to get him going more on personal hygiene, chores,fixing himself things to eat, etc. Our OT has helped us put togethera little program. We are working on one or two things at a time. I'mjust trying to get him DOING things, and hopefully I can get himthinking about doing at least a little something on his owninitiative. So far, I dunno... What has helped us with this " life skill are ". If my son were to make a peanut butter and Jelly sandwich. first I'll ask he to tell me what he needs to do to make it. (verbally first). He will say he needs the bread, knife,

peanut butter, jelly, dish. Then I'll ask him what he needs to do to make the sandwich - he will verbally tell me first. then he's ready to make it. - we don't have to go over this anymore with PB & J. we then did this for him to make waffles - first verbally - then he was ready to make them. same with the shower - When he tells me first - it works out so much better. as for cleaning his room. first I'll give him an index card that says: pick up all your clothes and put them into the hamper and come to me when finished. the next card will say : pick up all your toys and put them back into the bucket, when your finished, come back to me. then the next card will say: sweep the floor & into the shovel and empty that into the garbage. It has to be in all those steps for him to clean his room. Now I don't have to

elaborate so much with each step. We are in between speech therapists right now, and I haven't been ableto find one that is a good fit. So, that is something I'm hoping toget together by the end of the summer at least. I'm getting to whereI'm thinking I may have to go ahead and start his speech therapymyself, with his brother perhaps. I'm on a waiting list for a place Your on a waiting list to find a place or for an opening ? if for an opening - ask them to also put your name on a cancellation list. Then I would also put in writing to the school that you want your son to receive speech and anything else you feel he needs. ask them to respond back to you in writing. Have you considered sending your son for a CAPT ? that was another hugh help for us. I wish you the best - with the school for this September. Once they understand what

you need and work with your son - you will see the progress. Don't forget, the school is on a budget - money thing - so you will need to be a strong advocate, request in writing, document everything, and bring in all those documents from your outside help. Request an IEP for him and progress reports, goals, and anything else you can think of to help your son. I hope something here can help you. it takes baby steps but worth it. Have a good 4th of July day Rose r_woman2 <me2ruth > wrote: >> Ruth, I think you are the one that's fully understanding what I'mtalking about !!! Thanks, that makes me feel good!> ... Does this sound like your son ? My son can memorize his wholehistory lesson, the history ch. a good book his likes, movies,commercials etc...but, If you were to tell him to give me this letteryou just wrote - he would forget. he also forgot his award patches hereceived from football that he was so proud of, and forgot to tell mehe got the awards.. A test that he got 100% on, he was supposed totake it to me to> sign it and forgot to show it to me. Yes, this sounds very much like my son.> when its time to leave, my son would be walking to the car withnothing. I'll ask him where is he going? son -to the car - me, thenwhere next? -son - to the lake,- me - what are you going to do there?- son - swim, - I said with

your clothes on? - son - OH NO. That'swhen it connected with him that he needs a swim suit. I was told todo all these steps so he can think of what he has to do. Now I'm toldto have a laminated list that is something like this: > Swimming - and have everything on that list of what he needs tobring to pack.> football - list everything on that list what he needs to have toplay football.> and the same for school, church, or anything else we do all needsa separate list. This is both my kids, one aspie and one suspected aspie. Thanks forposting this! I still struggle to do things like this.> Ruth, Does the school get all this, and working on all your son'sneeds in school ?. How is he doing ?. Sadly, a big part of the reason why I have done so muchstudying/observing on Asperger is because we get very little help fromschool. He has a 504 plan with some supports for his

executivedysfunction, things teachers checking and signing his agenda everyday, etc. Some of his 504 plan supports are good in theory, but sincehis teachers are all regular classroom teachers and no special edstaff are involved, pretty much nobody understands what they need tobe doing--and they don't take kindly to advice from me. So, I'mpretty much trying to coordinate special ed from home, hiring my ownspeech/OT therapist/tutors etc. and trying to figure out what we needto be working on. Since he doesn't have special ed, my therapists arenot allowed to talk to the teachers. It is a daily thing I spendhours on every week with only minimal results since it isn't beingdone right. Very frustrating. I know many on the list go through thesame thing.What are the strategies your using at home with him? Honestly, just being patient and giving him time, and being veryexplicit about everything. I can't say as I

feel like I am doinggreat with him. This summer we are working on ADLs (Activities ofdaily life), trying to get him going more on personal hygiene, chores,fixing himself things to eat, etc. Our OT has helped us put togethera little program. We are working on one or two things at a time. I'mjust trying to get him DOING things, and hopefully I can get himthinking about doing at least a little something on his owninitiative. So far, I dunno... We are in between speech therapists right now, and I haven't been ableto find one that is a good fit. So, that is something I'm hoping toget together by the end of the summer at least. I'm getting to whereI'm thinking I may have to go ahead and start his speech therapymyself, with his brother perhaps. I'm on a waiting list for a placethat is supposed to be very good, but it may be a long wait.Ruth

[Guest guest]

That sounds wonderful! I will keep that in mind...alphasmart! Did the school supply it for him? It sounds something that my boss use to use to type her client notes and then I would down load it to my computer and reformat it to match the notes in the client's files.

It was great...she stopped using a dictaphone.

Thanks.

Jan

Janice Rushen

Mom, Mentor, Wife, Teacher, Advocate, Accountant,

Maid, Taxi, Shopper, Bulletin Board Artist

Nanny, Crafter, Therapist, Friend, Sister, Aunt,

Daughter, Grand-daughter, Personal Care Aide,

Student, Believer, and Giver.

From: r_woman2 <me2ruth (DOT) com>Subject: ( ) Re: off topic question - Ruth Date: Thursday, July 3, 2008, 9:31 AM

>> Ruth,> My son also has very strong vocabulary. He just can't express hisfeelings or ask for something his needs. or explain a certainsituation. This is my son also. Rose, part of this is autism, i.e., the theoryof mind issues. You might want to look that up too. Theory of mindis being aware of other people's thoughts and being able to anticipatethem and how they play out. We typical people do lots of mind-readingwithout thinking that autistic people can't do. Part of the reasonyour son doesn't ask for things is because he isn't aware that youdon't already know he needs them. He may not be aware that otherpeople know things he doesn't, so he doesn't think to ask for help. And there are the sensory issues, like my

son not being able to tellthe difference between a tummyache and being hungry until he was inlate elementary.> the speech teacher is working with my son with his writing skillsand he's not good with spelling. it took him a long time to get thehang of writing a paragraph. he couldn't even write a sentence with acomplete thought. See, my son doesn't have this problem, in general. He is even atalented writer. But his stories are all physical action and dialog.He has an incredible time with assignments where he has to express anopinion or get into more abstract, generalizing thoughts. He can't doit on his own, and sometimes he just can't get what they are asking.And part of this is executive dysfunction. Another thing for you tolook up! Poor working memory and slow processing speed, my son hasboth, cause a person to have difficulty processing, organizing, andspitting back out their

thoughts.There's really a lot of neurological stuff going on behind the poorsocial skills in Asperger.Ruth

[Guest guest]

Does your son have an IEP? Mine does. He was in pull out for language arts in 4th grade, then in 5th grade they moved him to an inclusion class (without my wirtten approval and without an IEP team meeting)(which is illegal but I did not know that at the time)...he did okay but he had the worst Spe.Ed. case manager who did not understand him or AS and was constantly NAGGING him. It was the worst year in history for my son and I. She would get in my son's face and say "your mind games might work on your mother, but they don't work on me!". Oh I was livid and called the school but of course the teacher denied it. My son's words against her's. And it was all about going to lunch detention. She had given him lunch detention for not coming to class prepared (LOL) and she was the one who was assigned to prepare him the morning! Get that one!

Anyways, I guess he didn't go that day so she told him to go the next day.The next day comes and goes and she might have reminded him ...I don't know...but he went to lunch...no one told him to sit in the lunch detention area (they have to sit facing the wall with their backs to the other kids, can't turn around, can't talk or move...now he originally was dx ADHD and is constantly moving and he said they can't go to the bathroom..they have to raise their hands and a lot of the time the monitors say no). So of course, what would any 5th grader do...he sat with his class and ate (if he ate,,,he was on concerta and barely ate). When he was going up the stair to class, the teacher was coming down to get them, she asked him "Did you go to lunch detention?". And, of course, being who he is (AS and all), he said NO. Now mind you when he is nervous or stressed, he gives the wrong facial expressions (which gets him in trouble all

the time- he half smiles ...looks like he is laughing a little) and that of course got her angry and she said "your mind games...."

When I called the school and she denied it ...I didn't buy her story...We don't use that saying at home ...where would he have gotten that if he was lying...she said it to him ....and of course denied it to me. She had it in for him ...she disliked him from the beginning because he can't sit still, clicks a pen or makes some type of noise, picks his head, nose, clothes anything....he is in constant motion while he is sitting...partly due to his sensory issues... Let me tell you it was a year of Hxll. UGh! I was so glad it was over. We got him into a reading program for 6th grade and I was so excited only to find out that she was the reading specialist...only so many teachers have been trained in this. Of course he did not do well in it and now going into 7th they are going to try another program with him.

Anyways, in 6th grade, I had him pulled out again for language arts and he also had the special reading program....he was in inclusion for math, science and social studies. He did well in most classes with lots of help and pushing from me. But, he went downhill in math...he even got a 65 one marking period. I am not sure why. I know they go to fast or cover too many things...they did time lapses, time, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percents, algebra, geometry, metric system, word problems and probably a few other things I forgot. I don't understand why they have to introduce all this stuff when they still don't have division down pat. I don't think he really did long division yet. But I think it was the fractions that got him..multiplication,division, adding and subtracting fractions ...and all so fast. I do know if I asked him to reduce a fraction say 12/48 to the lowest ..he can do it while

he is jumping around the room...he can do them quickly but when he has to sit and do it on paper he has a hard time.

So, now going into 7th, he is going to be in all pull out classes per my wishes. I was informed that 7th grade moves FAST! And, the teacher don't have time to check him or his folder, etc. So I said to heck with it all...put him in pull out so things move slower and he gets more help ...he is so disorganized and would come home with nothing every day. I had a hard time last year getting his teachers to help him even though it was in his IEP...so I want him where he will be supported and less FUSTRATED. Every day he came home from school exhausted and angry! He is not so angry now that he is on a smaller bus and is not teased or picked on by the other kids (and you know kids can be rather cruel). He was tested by the OT and will get some assistance in that area...she is going to show him what he can do to relieve his stress...she told the team the he will need at least 4 breaks a day ...short ones but he will need them. I must

teach him and the teachers as well...to take these breaks when he is overwhelmed. He may use some light weigths or a bouncing ball or take a walk. He is also going to be tested for speech due to the enlightenment I rec'd from this group. He has a lot of good things included in his IEP...I will just have to make sure the teachers follow it! It is a constant battle between him and the teacher...getting them to follow the IEP and him to do his part or his homework.

But what really amazes me ...is that our children are so much alike! It's like we are all writing about each other's child.

So, if anyone out there has any ideas about helping my child in math...please let me know.

Now, I started writing this whole thing and I don't even remember the point i was trying to make...LOL!!!

Sorry this was so long...

Jan

Janice Rushen

Mom, Mentor, Wife, Teacher, Advocate, Accountant,

Maid, Taxi, Shopper, Bulletin Board Artist

Nanny, Crafter, Therapist, Friend, Sister, Aunt,

Daughter, Grand-daughter, Personal Care Aide,

Student, Believer, and Giver.

>> Ruth,> My son also has very strong vocabulary. He just can't express hisfeelings or ask for something his needs. or explain a certainsituation. This is my son also. Rose, part of this is autism, i.e., the theoryof mind issues. You might want to look that up too. Theory of mindis being aware of other people's thoughts and being able to anticipatethem and how they play out. We typical people do lots of mind-readingwithout thinking that autistic people can't do. Part of the reasonyour son doesn't ask for things is because he isn't aware that youdon't already know he needs them. He may not be aware that otherpeople know things he doesn't, so he doesn't think to ask for help. And there are the sensory issues, like my

son not being able to tellthe difference between a tummyache and being hungry until he was inlate elementary.> the speech teacher is working with my son with his writing skillsand he's not good with spelling. it took him a long time to get thehang of writing a paragraph. he couldn't even write a sentence with acomplete thought. See, my son doesn't have this problem, in general. He is even atalented writer. But his stories are all physical action and dialog.He has an incredible time with assignments where he has to express anopinion or get into more abstract, generalizing thoughts. He can't doit on his own, and sometimes he just can't get what they are asking.And part of this is executive dysfunction. Another thing for you tolook up! Poor working memory and slow processing speed, my son hasboth, cause a person to have difficulty processing, organizing, andspitting back out their

thoughts.There's really a lot of neurological stuff going on behind the poorsocial skills in Asperger.Ruth

[Guest guest]

>

> But, he went downhill in math...he even got a 65 one marking

period.� I am not sure why.�

Both of my kids went from being excellent math students to sometimes

struggling, starting in about 6th grade. It seems a lot of our kids

have this in common; I had no idea. My son who has a dx especially

struggles now. Our neuropsych said he thinks it is from the executive

dysfunction and gave me a book to read, the last time we talked with

him. I'm just starting to seriously explore this, since it doesn't

appear my kids' math problems are going away. But what this book says

to do is: 1) put everything in smaller steps than typical to

accommodate their working memory problems; 2) use lots of

acronyms--you know like the saying they have for order of operations,

something about Aunt Sally--except do that for EVERYTHING; 3)

explicitly teach them how to identify what language signifies what

operations are being asked for in word problems; 4) explicitly teach

them how to estimate; 5) put lots of focus on the big picture of how

all the math fits together, since that is a weakness of most aspies.

Hope this helps!

Ruth