Asperger’s Syndrome

Building ConfidenceThrough the Life Span

Part I: Early & Middle Childhood

Valerie Paradiz, PhDValerie Paradiz, PhD

Elijah WapnerElijah Wapner

On a Personal Note

Elijah’s diagnosisElijah’s diagnosis Grassroots Self-Grassroots Self-

AdvocacyAdvocacy Embracing Autism as Embracing Autism as

a Culturea Culture Elijah’s CupElijah’s Cup 5th Grade Crisis5th Grade Crisis

The Plot Thickens…

Shadow TraitsShadow Traits Uncannily Aspie-like Uncannily Aspie-like

Family LoreFamily Lore The ASPIE School: A The ASPIE School: A

Haven for Building Self-Haven for Building Self-ConfidenceConfidence

Val’s DiagnosisVal’s Diagnosis The Aspie Life SpanThe Aspie Life Span

TERMINOLOGY

The Conundrum of AS/HFA/PDD

High-Functioning High-Functioning AutismAutism

Asperger’s SyndromeAsperger’s Syndrome PDD-NOSPDD-NOS Autism SpectrumAutism Spectrum

CONFIDENCE

Where does it come from?

HonestyHonesty SafetySafety Authentic Supports for Authentic Supports for

Real ChallengesReal Challenges Embracing Autism as Embracing Autism as

an Identity Valuean Identity Value Celebration of Autistic Celebration of Autistic

StrengthsStrengths

HONESTY

Should You Tell a Child about the Diagnosis?

Clinical experience indicates that it is extremelyimportant that the diagnosis is explained as soon aspossible and preferably before inappropriate compensatory mechanisms are developed. The child is then more likely to achieve self-acceptance,without unfair comparisons with other children, andbe less likely to develop signs of an anxiety disorder,depression or conduct disorder.

Tony Attwood, PhD

Honesty

Sharing the diagnosis is a long-term project that Sharing the diagnosis is a long-term project that requires family and community involvementrequires family and community involvement

Becoming “neurotypical” isn’t necessarily the Becoming “neurotypical” isn’t necessarily the goalgoal

Families, therapists and teachers must have Families, therapists and teachers must have training to develop a high comfort level in training to develop a high comfort level in speaking openly and constructively about autism speaking openly and constructively about autism spectrum diagnoses with the Aspies and Auties spectrum diagnoses with the Aspies and Auties they knowthey know

SAFETY

Safety involves, at the very least:

Structured Home BaseStructured Home Base Responsive Sensory EnvironmentResponsive Sensory Environment Respect for Social & Sensory DifferencesRespect for Social & Sensory Differences Conscientious, Deliberate Inclusion & IntegrationConscientious, Deliberate Inclusion & Integration Depth CommunicationDepth Communication

AUTHENTIC SUPPORTS

Supports

Building Self-Regulation SkillsBuilding Self-Regulation Skills Addressing Executive Functioning ChallengesAddressing Executive Functioning Challenges Teaching Advocacy SkillsTeaching Advocacy Skills Tapping into the Power of Deep InterestsTapping into the Power of Deep Interests

THE POWER OFDEEP INTERSTS

Elijah’s Comedy AutobiographyElijah’s Comedy Autobiography

Early Childhood

EcholaliaEcholalia Delayed SpeechDelayed Speech SeizuresSeizures Auditory SensitivityAuditory Sensitivity Nonverbal EntertainmentNonverbal Entertainment Humor as SalveHumor as Salve Hat StimsHat Stims

Middle Childhood

Comedian StimsComedian Stims Study of Comedic Study of Comedic

GenresGenres Memorizing Jokes & Memorizing Jokes &

Social ScriptingSocial Scripting Telling Jokes & Social Telling Jokes & Social

CommunicationCommunication Making Others LaughMaking Others Laugh

Joe Schtick

VideoVideo

Q & A

Valerie Paradiz, PhDValerie Paradiz, PhD

Elijah WapnerElijah Wapner

www.valerieparadiz.comwww.valerieparadiz.com

author@valerieparadiz.comauthor@valerieparadiz.com

P.O. Box 55P.O. Box 55

Woodstock, NY 12498Woodstock, NY 12498

(845) 750-3982(845) 750-3982

Asperger’s Syndrome

Building ConfidenceThrough the Life Span

Part II: Adolescence & Adulthood

Valerie Paradiz, PhDValerie Paradiz, PhD

Elijah WapnerElijah Wapner

Here’s the Plan

When Does Transition Planning Begin?When Does Transition Planning Begin? Advocacy and Autistic IdentityAdvocacy and Autistic Identity Building Deep Interests into TransitionBuilding Deep Interests into Transition Q&AQ&A

When Does Transition Planning Begin?

Transition planning must begin way earlier than theTransition planning must begin way earlier than thefederally mandated age of 16 (used to be 14).  Infederally mandated age of 16 (used to be 14).  Infact, all children with Autism, no matter theirfact, all children with Autism, no matter theirfunctioning level, can be included in some way tofunctioning level, can be included in some way tothe maximum of their ability in the development ofthe maximum of their ability in the development oftheir own Individualized Education Plan.their own Individualized Education Plan.

Stephen ShoreStephen Shore Author of Author of Beyond the Beyond the

WallWall

AUTISTIC IDENTITY

Take A Moment…

Ask yourself: What is a peer?Ask yourself: What is a peer?

In your adult life, who do you consider to be your peers? What In your adult life, who do you consider to be your peers? What do you do together? How do your peers affect your life and do you do together? How do your peers affect your life and well-being?well-being?

Who were your peers in middle school? Who were your peers Who were your peers in middle school? Who were your peers in high school? What did you do together? How did your in high school? What did you do together? How did your peers affect your life and well-being?peers affect your life and well-being?

Now, imagine never having had these relationships. Where Now, imagine never having had these relationships. Where would you be today?would you be today?

Socially Productive Opportunities are a Basic Human Right True PeersTrue Peers Belonging & Belonging &

CommunityCommunity Social AuthenticitySocial Authenticity Social PacingSocial Pacing Social AnalysisSocial Analysis Social Skills Social Skills

CurriculumCurriculum

DEEP INTERESTSand

TRANSITION

Adolescence: Elijah’s Story

Comedy & Comedy & Understanding Understanding RelationshipsRelationships

Self Protection, Self Protection, Coping with Sadness Coping with Sadness & Conflict& Conflict

Social Timing & Social Timing & DeliveryDelivery

Original MaterialOriginal Material

Mr. Inevitable

VideoVideo

Projects and Activities for Adolescents and Adults Set discrete goals toward autonomy: taking Set discrete goals toward autonomy: taking

time out, non verbal time, food preferences, time out, non verbal time, food preferences, movement needs, stim timemovement needs, stim time

Get to know others on the spectrum: Get to know others on the spectrum: retreats, conferences, peer mentors, peer retreats, conferences, peer mentors, peer support & social groupssupport & social groups

More Activities

Search the Web for self run sitesSearch the Web for self run sites Join an online group, or peer support groupJoin an online group, or peer support group Invite an adult on the spectrum to speak in your Invite an adult on the spectrum to speak in your

communitycommunity Form an autism in the media study groupForm an autism in the media study group Write group lettersWrite group letters Have a “coming out” partyHave a “coming out” party Run for office in your local ASA chapterRun for office in your local ASA chapter

Confidence and the Life Span

Parent PerspectiveParent Perspective Child & Adolescent Child & Adolescent

with AS Perspectivewith AS Perspective Adult with AS Adult with AS

PerspectivePerspective Educator’s PerspectiveEducator’s Perspective

Q & A

Valerie Paradiz, PhDValerie Paradiz, PhD

Elijah WapnerElijah Wapnerwww.valerieparadiz.comwww.valerieparadiz.com

author@valerieparadiz.comauthor@valerieparadiz.com

P.O. Box 55P.O. Box 55

Woodstock, NY 12498Woodstock, NY 12498

(845) 750 3982(845) 750 3982