Are You an Aspie and Depressed? That’s Not Unusual
As most teens and adults with Asperger syndrome know, people with Asperger syndrome can be significantly depressed. The rates of diagnoses of depression vary among studies, from 18% to 22%. The most commonly quoted rate of a depression in the general population of the US is 6.7%. Most of theContinue Reading
School Bullying and Aspergers in Middle School: Know Your Legal Rights
It’s understood that bullying will happen to those who have Aspergers Syndrome, especially during the challenging middle school years. Where can you turn? One school counselor discusses your options in this edition of Top of the Spectrum News. School Bullying: Your Legal Rights Guest(s): Richard BehrensContinue Reading
Skills for Aspergers Students for Residence Hall Success in College
Many colleges and universities require undergraduates to live on campus, especially during their freshman and sophomore years. “Residence life” (calling on-campus living environments “dorms” is considered a faux pas in higher education these days) requires students to live as a member of a small, interactive society. To be an effectiveContinue Reading
How Do People Diagnosed With Autism Get Hired?
What kind of agencies are out there to connect me, and my child’s skills, to a potential employer? My name is Raeme Bosquez-Greer. I have been an Employment Specialist for the most challenging students for over 20 years. Challenging in my vocabulary means that they are harder to place inContinue Reading
Social Language or “Pragmatics”
Your child may not know how to use language appropriately in social situations. This undeveloped social skill can cause your child to unintentionally say harmful or rude comments to others. Even when able to say words clearly in complex sentences with correct grammar, a child still may have a communicationContinue Reading
Finding the ABILITY in Asperger’s
Many say that Asperger’s isn’t a disability, it’s a different ability and I completely agree. We all know that children and adults with Asperger’s bring so many unique gifts to the table. With that said, it is important as a parent that you understand and truly believe that statement. YouContinue Reading
College Students with Aspergers Give Their Experienced Advice: Part 3
Continuing our occasional theme of listening to the advice of college students who have “been there and done that,” please join me in listening to recommendations provided by four graduates of Marshall University. Bradley, Nathan, Stephen, and Brian, each 2013 graduates of the university, responded to questions about personal goals,Continue Reading
Teaching Conversation Skills Part 2
Prefer to listen instead of read? Check out the podcast version of this blog from Starfish Social Club below! Welcome to part two of our conversations theme! This part will cover initiating conversations, ending conversations, interruptions, monitoring length of turn, and picking up on social cues. You Can Read PartContinue Reading
Communicating to an Interviewer About Your Diagnosis
Q: How should one go about communicating to an interviewer a brief summary of the world of Asperger’s Syndrome? This is a really great question. There is a saying that goes: if you’ve met one person with Aspergers . . . you’ve met one person with Aspergers. I believe this statementContinue Reading
Five Subtle Positive Benefits of Video Games for Aspergers
Sure, it is compelling to think that video games have no real-life value, especially for aspies, who desire long solitude. They enable an aspie to escape from the world around them and enter virtual realities that do not test their development in various ways. Thus, video games do not embraceContinue Reading
Using Mini-Maps at Home to Help with Difficult Tasks
Remember that a mini-map is a visual strategy that takes a chunk of time and breaks it down even further. This seemingly simple strategy can be highly effective to address “rough spots” in different environments. We have seen how this can prevent work avoidance behaviors at school and now weContinue Reading
