Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

[Guest guest]

I wish you would refer to them as Boys with Autism or Girls with Autism instead

of Autistic Boys and Autistic Girls,

They are kids first, kids with autism.

Will you consider the cultural implications of setting them apart even further

than they are as a result of their condition?

> Two that we are working on for the fall are 1,001 Tips for the Parents of

> Autistic Boys and 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic Girls, which will

> be edited and introduced by Ken Siri and Tony Lyons respectively. To that

> end, we are busily collecting tips, and would greatly appreciate any help

>

[Guest guest]

Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how awful it can be

taking their child to a store. As a military Mom with a frequently absent

husband, I and my friends had no choice but to take the kids to the store. It

was a nightmare for everyone involved:) One day I realized that when my son was

on the computer looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched

and I realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a means of

calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was loud, bright, and full

of movement and people. So I started to print out the things he was looking up.

I punched holes in them and put page protectors on them and put them in a

binder. It was a miracle! He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear

plugs, and sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and even out to

play.

[Guest guest]

Being prior military myself I know you must travel around alot so do you have

any good ideas for car travel? We are taking a 19 hour trip to New York, but

splitting it up over three days. My son is mostly non verbal so I am a little

freaked on what to do to keep him occupied especially with all of the strange

places we will be staying. And feedingn him is a whole other issue. Any tips

would be great.

 

From: Les <lesburleson@...>

Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

 

Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how awful it can be

taking their child to a store. As a military Mom with a frequently absent

husband, I and my friends had no choice but to take the kids to the store. It

was a nightmare for everyone involved:) One day I realized that when my son was

on the computer looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched

and I realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a means of

calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was loud, bright, and full

of movement and people. So I started to print out the things he was looking up.

I punched holes in them and put page protectors on them and put them in a

binder. It was a miracle! He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear

plugs, and sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and even out to

play.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Depending on his functional level as far as other things, maybe some printables

from a favorite website would help? I just got an e-mail from Nick Jr. regarding

printables specifically for car trips.

Depending on how soon you're leaving, maybe get some pictures of things he's

likely to see on each of the 3 days and put them in a folder for him to look at

(and discuss with him before you go). If you will be staying in a hotel maybe

you can find information or pictures of that hotel online (although be careful

about this, as we stayed at a major chain hotel once where the brochure showed a

beautiful, large rectangular pool and the actual thing was basically a

not-so-hot tub shaped like an oversized kidney bean).

Hope this helps.

From: Les <lesburleson@...>

Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

 

Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how awful it can be

taking their child to a store. As a military Mom with a frequently absent

husband, I and my friends had no choice but to take the kids to the store. It

was a nightmare for everyone involved:) One day I realized that when my son was

on the computer looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched

and I realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a means of

calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was loud, bright, and full

of movement and people. So I started to print out the things he was looking up.

I punched holes in them and put page protectors on them and put them in a

binder. It was a miracle! He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear

plugs, and sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and even out to

play.

     

[Guest guest]

Portable DVD player? Favourite clothes, blankets, and a photo album filled with

pictures of home.

West, shanwest@...

2010-07-15

----- Receiving the following content -----

From: Keyes

Receiver:

Time: 2010-07-15, 14:10:49

Subject: Re: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

>Being prior military myself I know you must travel around alot so do you have

any good ideas for car travel? We are taking a 19 hour trip to New York, but

splitting it up over three days. My son is mostly non verbal so I am a little

freaked on what to do to keep him occupied especially with all of the strange

places we will be staying. And feedingn him¡¡is a whole other issue. Any tips

would be great.

>¡¡

>

>

>

>

>

>From: Les

>Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

>

>Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

>

>

>¡¡

>

>

>

>Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

>

>Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how awful it can be

taking their child to a store. As a military Mom with a frequently absent

husband, I and my friends had no choice but to take the kids to the store. It

was a nightmare for everyone involved:) One day I realized that when my son was

on the computer looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched

and I realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a means of

calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was loud, bright, and full

of movement and people. So I started to print out the things he was looking up.

I punched holes in them and put page protectors on them and put them in a

binder. It was a miracle! He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear

plugs, and sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and even out to

play.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I know it's a little pricey, but we bought an Itouch for my son. It

has been worth every penny!!!! Not only can you download movies and

games, but also educational games and flashcards. During autism month

they even had an app for ABA flash cards that was free!! My son has

really enjoyed learning spanish and all kinds of things.

PLUS, the headphones block out noise. We could sit in the noisiest

restaurant and he was OK.

On Jul 15, 2010, at 4:31 PM, Brattin wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> Depending on his functional level as far as other things, maybe some

> printables from a favorite website would help? I just got an e-mail

> from Nick Jr. regarding printables specifically for car trips.

>

> Depending on how soon you're leaving, maybe get some pictures of

> things he's likely to see on each of the 3 days and put them in a

> folder for him to look at (and discuss with him before you go). If

> you will be staying in a hotel maybe you can find information or

> pictures of that hotel online (although be careful about this, as we

> stayed at a major chain hotel once where the brochure showed a

> beautiful, large rectangular pool and the actual thing was basically

> a not-so-hot tub shaped like an oversized kidney bean).

>

> Hope this helps.

>

>

>

>

>

> From: Les <lesburleson@...>

> Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of

> Autistic..............

>

> Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

>

>

>

> Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

>

> Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how

> awful it can be taking their child to a store. As a military Mom

> with a frequently absent husband, I and my friends had no choice but

> to take the kids to the store. It was a nightmare for everyone

> involved:) One day I realized that when my son was on the computer

> looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched and I

> realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a

> means of calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was

> loud, bright, and full of movement and people. So I started to print

> out the things he was looking up. I punched holes in them and put

> page protectors on them and put them in a binder. It was a miracle!

> He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear plugs, and

> sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

> binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and

> even out to play.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all the tips. I will definitely find and print out some pictures

of what we might see. Our vehicle has a DVD player so that will help. The Itouch

is hopefully down the road but right now he is on the severe end of the spectrum

so I don't think he could do it.

I am hoping the pictures will keep him from getting too overwhelmed when we

stop. We promised our other kids to hit some fun stuff along the way which of

course they deserve since our ASD son gets most of the attention at home. But

they will be very crowded so I am kind of nervous to see how he will react. And

we will stop and eat at a few restaurants, again for my other kids, so that

should be interesting.

Wish me luck and if you think of other things let me know. My son is now 6 and

the farthest we have driven is to the lake which is 4 hours so 19 will be a

challenge. Maybe I will buy some earplugs.

>

> From: Les <lesburleson@...>

> Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of 

> Autistic..............

>

> Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

>

>

>

> Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

>

> Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how 

> awful it can be taking their child to a store. As a military Mom 

> with a frequently absent husband, I and my friends had no choice but 

> to take the kids to the store. It was a nightmare for everyone 

> involved:) One day I realized that when my son was on the computer 

> looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched and I 

> realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a 

> means of calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was 

> loud, bright, and full of movement and people. So I started to print 

> out the things he was looking up. I punched holes in them and put 

> page protectors on them and put them in a binder. It was a miracle! 

> He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear plugs, and 

> sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the 

> binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and 

> even out to play.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If you could give me a little background on your fella I could give you some

suggestions. How old is he? What are his interests? I would definately go with

some different tactile type things... cold things (check for the cooling necktie

post on this group), squishy things like crayola model magic " playdough " is a

good non-messy one, things that make cool noises(rain rattle type things),

calming scented things... there is theraputty that is mildly scented with

different scents, my son likes smelling baby whipes if he's stressed and away

from home. Once I get more info from you I can give you better ideas. You

definately want to pack gallon size plastic bags for quick mess pick up, whipes

too for the same thing. Oh, and weighted lap blankets or weighted neck pillows

are awesome for calming. There is a brand of earplugs called Heros. They're

these weird fish gill looking silicone ear plugs that you can attach together

with a cord(like those cords for eyeglasses). They're comfortable so a lot of

kids will tollerate them. Maybe sunglasses if he'll wear them or a baseball hat

to keep the bright lights from bugging him. Depending on how tough a time he has

with transitions, you might want want to pack his bedding from home and use them

in the hotel and wherever you're staying.

[Guest guest]

ooh, good idea with the pictures!

[Guest guest]

My husband and I will usually tag team when we're trying to let the other kids

enjoy something that is bothering my son. We'll take him off to an area that's

quiet-ish , that's when the scented things can come in handy. Scents can be

really calming or at least distracting enough to make him forget something was

bothering him. Bubbles or something else for him to enjoy. We packed a medium

sized rubbermaid bin with moonsand a few times...it was awesome!

[Guest guest]

These are all great tips.  My 6 yr ASD son is very vocal and loves all kind of

music. When we're in the car we always play music and sing to it especially

the

kid's songs that he likes. This has also helped tremendously with his

speech.  We also take our laptop computer to play videos.  Make a special

backpack with his favorite small toys, books, music ( ipod/cd player) and

snacks

that he can hold close to him.  Don't forget the batteries and plug charger.

Hope this helps too.

Miriam

________________________________

From: Brattin <sdb2956@...>

Sent: Thu, July 15, 2010 5:31:59 PM

Subject: Re: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

 

Hi ,

Depending on his functional level as far as other things, maybe some printables

from a favorite website would help? I just got an e-mail from Nick Jr. regarding

printables specifically for car trips.

Depending on how soon you're leaving, maybe get some pictures of things he's

likely to see on each of the 3 days and put them in a folder for him to look at

(and discuss with him before you go). If you will be staying in a hotel maybe

you can find information or pictures of that hotel online (although be careful

about this, as we stayed at a major chain hotel once where the brochure showed a

beautiful, large rectangular pool and the actual thing was basically a

not-so-hot tub shaped like an oversized kidney bean).

Hope this helps.

From: Les <lesburleson@...>

Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

 

Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how awful it can be

taking their child to a store. As a military Mom with a frequently absent

husband, I and my friends had no choice but to take the kids to the store. It

was a nightmare for everyone involved:) One day I realized that when my son was

on the computer looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched

and I realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a means of

calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was loud, bright, and full

of movement and people. So I started to print out the things he was looking up.

I punched holes in them and put page protectors on them and put them in a

binder. It was a miracle! He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear

plugs, and sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and even out to

play.

     

[Guest guest]

> We are taking a 19 hour trip to New York, but

splitting it up over three days. My son is mostly non verbal so I am a

little

freaked on what to do to keep him occupied especially with all of the

strange

places we will be staying. And feeding him is a whole other issue. Any tips

would be great.

Hi

When we did a big trip, I made up a story book well in advance which I read

to him every night before we left.

It went along the lines of p1 " On Friday, it will be so exciting. Mummy

and Daddy and x and y and z and I are starting on a trip to New York " with

picture of a calendar with monday highlighted and one of family. p2 " It is

a LONG way to New York. It will take 3 days to drive there - Friday,

Saturday and Sunday. " with a map showing where you are and New York and the

calendar highlighting Fri - Sun. p3 " In the car I will sit beside the

window " (or where-ever he sits) " there will be lots of things to do "

picture of car. p4 - ?9 having a picture of each as you go along. I can

look out the window and see the other cars - x, y and z might have a game

who sees the most red white or blue cars " " I can look at the signs and

numbers. x, y and z might have a game where they try and find numbers in

order 1 2 3 4 5 6 and so on and see how far they can go " " I can listen to

Mummy and Daddy and x,y and z if they sing songs " I can draw in my book I

can color in my pictures. I can listen to some music. I can watch a movie on

the DVD player. I can listen to a story x reads me. I can . . . . If it

gets a bit boring, I can have a nap using my special travel pillow. It will

be fun. (big smiley face)

p 10 " When its lunch time, we will stop and get some food. It might be a

bit loud at the shop. I will stay close to Mummy or Daddy.

p We will stay at a motel at night time. It will be a bit funny sleeping

all in the same room and not in my bed, but I'll be OK. Mummy will look

after me

Anyway, you get the idea. My son really enjoyed it. We took the book with

us and he referred to it along the way. Avoid the word " will " just in case

that thing doesn't happen. I always tried to describe the different

situations along the way and a positive way for him to react to each

situation, and the reassurance that everything would be OK.

We all had a great holiday and I think it was because we prepared so well.

Good luck

[Guest guest]

That is a great idea. I will definitely do that. Everyone had some great tips so

I am feeling pretty good about the whole thing. Hopefully I will come back with

tips to share or at least an interesting story to tell.

 

Thanks

From: Haks <cathy@...>

Subject: RE: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 11:50 PM

 

> We are taking a 19 hour trip to New York, but

splitting it up over three days. My son is mostly non verbal so I am a

little

freaked on what to do to keep him occupied especially with all of the

strange

places we will be staying. And feeding him is a whole other issue. Any tips

would be great.

Hi

When we did a big trip, I made up a story book well in advance which I read

to him every night before we left.

It went along the lines of p1 " On Friday, it will be so exciting. Mummy

and Daddy and x and y and z and I are starting on a trip to New York " with

picture of a calendar with monday highlighted and one of family. p2 " It is

a LONG way to New York. It will take 3 days to drive there - Friday,

Saturday and Sunday. " with a map showing where you are and New York and the

calendar highlighting Fri - Sun. p3 " In the car I will sit beside the

window " (or where-ever he sits) " there will be lots of things to do "

picture of car. p4 - ?9 having a picture of each as you go along. I can

look out the window and see the other cars - x, y and z might have a game

who sees the most red white or blue cars " " I can look at the signs and

numbers. x, y and z might have a game where they try and find numbers in

order 1 2 3 4 5 6 and so on and see how far they can go " " I can listen to

Mummy and Daddy and x,y and z if they sing songs " I can draw in my book I

can color in my pictures. I can listen to some music. I can watch a movie on

the DVD player. I can listen to a story x reads me. I can . . . . If it

gets a bit boring, I can have a nap using my special travel pillow. It will

be fun. (big smiley face)

p 10 " When its lunch time, we will stop and get some food. It might be a

bit loud at the shop. I will stay close to Mummy or Daddy.

p We will stay at a motel at night time. It will be a bit funny sleeping

all in the same room and not in my bed, but I'll be OK. Mummy will look

after me

Anyway, you get the idea. My son really enjoyed it. We took the book with

us and he referred to it along the way. Avoid the word " will " just in case

that thing doesn't happen. I always tried to describe the different

situations along the way and a positive way for him to react to each

situation, and the reassurance that everything would be OK.

We all had a great holiday and I think it was because we prepared so well.

Good luck

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

WE just came back from a 3 week vacation with my very low functioning 3 year

old, low functioning 5 year old and typical 8 year old. I survived by getting a

fridge that plugs into the car for the car for the kids pre-cooked meats and

medications, the car has DVD's, the ipad was the best thing in the world for my

5 year old. He could take it anywhere and watch his shows on utube (love the

ipad). Plenty of bubbles for my 3 year old and a little whiteborad with magnets

he could stick to it and rip off again and again. The other thing I did is went

to care.com and lined up 2 college nannies for the entire stay. I also talked to

my DAN! about how to help them sleep better away from home when they don't have

there own room. He gave us something to help with that.

Good luck!

Casandra

From: jaslog04@...

Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:53:30 -0700

Subject: Re: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic..............

Thank you for all the tips. I will definitely find and print out some pictures

of what we might see. Our vehicle has a DVD player so that will help. The Itouch

is hopefully down the road but right now he is on the severe end of the spectrum

so I don't think he could do it.

I am hoping the pictures will keep him from getting too overwhelmed when we

stop. We promised our other kids to hit some fun stuff along the way which of

course they deserve since our ASD son gets most of the attention at home. But

they will be very crowded so I am kind of nervous to see how he will react. And

we will stop and eat at a few restaurants, again for my other kids, so that

should be interesting.

Wish me luck and if you think of other things let me know. My son is now 6 and

the farthest we have driven is to the lake which is 4 hours so 19 will be a

challenge. Maybe I will buy some earplugs.

>

> From: Les <lesburleson@...>

> Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of

> Autistic..............

>

> Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

>

>

>

> Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

>

> Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how

> awful it can be taking their child to a store. As a military Mom

> with a frequently absent husband, I and my friends had no choice but

> to take the kids to the store. It was a nightmare for everyone

> involved:) One day I realized that when my son was on the computer

> looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched and I

> realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a

> means of calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was

> loud, bright, and full of movement and people. So I started to print

> out the things he was looking up. I punched holes in them and put

> page protectors on them and put them in a binder. It was a miracle!

> He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear plugs, and

> sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

> binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and

> even out to play.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The Itouch plays movies as well. You can download all kinds of movies

and shows. It is about the size of an Iphone. It has been used with

children who are pretty severe on the spectrum. The good news is that

it grows as they do with them.

Also, I can't say enough, it it sooo portable that you can literally

carry it around with you. In places that are too noisy, my son just

slips his earphones on and all is well. You just have to find

earphones that don't throw the sensory issues off the chart. We got

the Sponge Bob ones from Toys R Us.

>

>

>

> From: jaslog04@...

> Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:53:30 -0700

> Subject: Re: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of

> Autistic..............

>

>

>

>

>

> Thank you for all the tips. I will definitely find and print out

> some pictures of what we might see. Our vehicle has a DVD player so

> that will help. The Itouch is hopefully down the road but right now

> he is on the severe end of the spectrum so I don't think he could do

> it.

> I am hoping the pictures will keep him from getting too overwhelmed

> when we stop. We promised our other kids to hit some fun stuff along

> the way which of course they deserve since our ASD son gets most of

> the attention at home. But they will be very crowded so I am kind of

> nervous to see how he will react. And we will stop and eat at a few

> restaurants, again for my other kids, so that should be interesting.

> Wish me luck and if you think of other things let me know. My son is

> now 6 and the farthest we have driven is to the lake which is 4

> hours so 19 will be a challenge. Maybe I will buy some earplugs.

>

>

>

>>

>> From: Les <lesburleson@...>

>> Subject: Re: 1,001 Tips for the Parents of

>> Autistic..............

>>

>> Date: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 2:47 PM

>>

>>

>>

>> Geeze, I have about a billion tips Here's one

>>

>> Many parents of autistic children have spoken with me about how

>> awful it can be taking their child to a store. As a military Mom

>> with a frequently absent husband, I and my friends had no choice but

>> to take the kids to the store. It was a nightmare for everyone

>> involved:) One day I realized that when my son was on the computer

>> looking at things of interest to him he was calm. So I watched and I

>> realized that he would seek out looking up his fascinations as a

>> means of calming himself. I knew he hated the store because it was

>> loud, bright, and full of movement and people. So I started to print

>> out the things he was looking up. I punched holes in them and put

>> page protectors on them and put them in a binder. It was a miracle!

>> He'd sit in the back of the cart with his binder, ear plugs, and

>> sunglasses and I could get my grocery shopping done! He took the

>> binder everywhere. It helped give him confidence going to school and

>> even out to play.

>>

>>

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

I got this really awesome autism resource packet when I moved to San . I

was looking through some of the suggested websites and found some really cool

ones. I posted about them, but I wanted tot ell you about one I just found. It

has all kinds of really cool sensory type toys for really cheap...good ones for

travel! I'm so psyched...I'm about to buy a bunch of crud:) Anyways the site is

http://www.ozmofun.com