Issue 26 Winter 2015

£15 annually Available from www.aukids.co.uk ® Positive Parenting for Children with Autism Spectrum Conditions

Double Take Families of twins share their stories

Altered Images Our easy guide to vision and autism

On with the Show! Our 2015 autism events calendar is here!

PLUS WIN! iPad protectors, sensory toys, books and more! Debby i LLeetttteerr ffrroomm tthhee EEddiittoorrss Tor

Hesley Enhancing Lives Programme. Welcome to our 40 years in the making. first issue of

We’re celebrating our 40th year. And we’ve learnt a lot along the way. Today, much of our 2015 experience and in house expertise is channelled to deliver our innovative Hesley Enhancing We hope this year brings you fun AuKids is expanding our social Lives Programme (HELP). and happiness in a big way. ! network with a greater presence on Twitter this year, thanks to the Combining the latest techniques We’ve been busy since the last efforts of Rose Walters who has and practices, HELP focuses on time we wrote. We were delighted been undertaking some project how our actions and reactions to talk at the NAS Communication work with us. We hope to be can positively shape the emotional conference in Reading last bringing you the long-awaited You November. well being of all those who use Tube channel shortly, so that you our services. Through taking Also in November, Toys ‘R’ Us can watch a bit of AuKids TV! a proactive and empathic held its first national autism-friendly If you’d like to see any of our approach the need for higher risk shopping morning. Brilliant news all features brought to life, just let us interventions is reduced. All staff round, but this was down to the know! Follow us on Twitter and receive HELP training from the hard work and dedication of just help spread the word. Despite point of induction and regularly one mum and a store manager with appearances we are still a small thereafter, to make sure it works vision – check out our Readers’ magazine and we do rely on word in practice as well as theory. page for the full story. Just goes to of mouth so that more parents can show what a bit of parent power benefit from our positive advice. can do! Finally, super breaking news Referral enquiries freephone It looks like 2015 is going to be that renowned autism researcher, 0800 055 6789 busier still, with AuKids magazine speaker and author Olga www.hesleygroup.co.uk one of the media partners for the Bogdashina, herself a parent of Established in 1975, the Hesley Group provides specialist support through its schools, Autism Show. This year it takes two young people on the autism colleges and adult residential services with a highly experienced and expert multidisciplinary place in Birmingham as well as spectrum, will be writing for us later educational, care and therapeutic staff resource, in high quality purpose built settings. London and Manchester – check this year. We are big fans of Olga’s We’re focused on positive outcomes and progress towards sustainable independence. out our diary pages for more work and we can’t wait to share her information. The AuKids team will knowledge with you. be talking at both Birmingham and Happy reading! Manchester, plus we’ll have a stand at those shows, so come and say hello! Since our last issue, we have & ebby gathered up a large number of your Tori D Facebook comments about hand e-mail: [email protected] dryers and how distressing autistic children find the sudden, loud and unexpected noise from them. We COMPETITION WINNERS passed those comments onto the FROM ISSUE 25: • The answer to the Cineworld Cerebra Innovations team who in competition was Despicable Me 2. turn had a chat with friends at Winners were Nicola Naylor, Dyson. All we can say at this stage Warwickshire; Joanne Dorasamy, is watch this space – but early signs Biggleswade; Mandy Potts, Berkshire. are promising and the Dyson team • Book winners: Amanda Ayres, seems keen on action. If you’d like Weaverham; Jo-Anna Dem, Reading; to share any of your views or Rachel Kaye, Manchester; Heather experiences regarding hand dryers Bradley, Notts; Dawn Parkinson, Billington and Georgina Gannon, with us, we will pass them on. Swanscombe. Write to us at [email protected]

Whilst the products and services advertised EDITORS: in AuKids are recommended to us by Tori Houghton and Debby Elley readers, we are not an industry inspector or regulator. We advise readers to seek PHOTOGRAPHY: independent advice from regulatory bodies Front cover photo taken by David Laslett before signing up with a new service at www.manchesterphoto.com provider and to check that products and m: 07918 155362 equipment meet with industry standards. PRINTING: The opinions expressed in AuKids R and P Printers, Dukinfield magazine are those of the contributor. Please seek medical advice before GRAPHIC DESIGN: embarking on any therapy or behaviour intervention. All articles are copyright AuKids. www.periscopestudios.co.uk

AuKids is published by AuKids Limited, PO Box 259, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 9BE, company number 7413180.

Want to read our next issue? Not a subscriber? Subscribe NOW at www.aukids.co.uk or send a £15 cheque with your name and address on the back, payable to AuKids magazine to: AuKids, PO Box 259 Cheadle Cheshire SK8 9BE. 2 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 Send your letters and READERS’ PAGE images to [email protected] Cover Stars Holds First Autism Friendly Shopping Morning

Autism Friendly UK is a new Facebook group created by one mum in response to the Luke Ayres struggles she Diagnosis: ility faced when out Autism & Learning Disab and about with am, Cheshire Where he lives: Weaverh her autistic son is the happiest and um Amanda says: “Luke TOYS Joe, who is 3. Victoria Luke’s m rd-winning smile y I know! He has an awa 'R' GREAT: Holdsworth decided CO most smiley bo to win VER STARS: Charles and his eyes which he uses Natasha Eliyet and a cheeky glint in to do something George feature in our tw admires the ins’ everyone over! about it – for her and article – s ith selection in peace ee Page 15 but is doing really well w everyone else in the has a very limited vocab and quiet! “He y hand leading - he is same position! “Busy his and communicates b expanding t I love it when he star in his own right and places and lots of an absolute super g machines :) His passion is washin sensory stimuli can be too invites me into his world urite places in the much for our children with autism - he loves them! His favo nd his dream is to I lo and reasonable adjustments can and world are launderettes a ve: hen he is older. W should be made to help our children work / help out in one w ashing ble noises mach enjoy experiences as any other child dislikes loud unpredicta ines “He g can!” she said. tive tones such as sighin and nega I hate: She spoke to store manager Geoff and tutting”. Unp redictab Robinson at the Birstall Toys R Us details le Send your celebrity noises store in Leeds. “He was delighted to [email protected] support my ideas and helped me to to a approach head office in making it a Steph! national event,” she told us. Sock It to Them, Stephanie Roberts decided “It was supposed to be just trialled Mum e up work to look after her in Leeds but the huge response to giv who has suspected autism prompted a quick change! I simply son, Autism Sundae lobal development delay. explained to Geoff what a difference and g urned her hobby into a this event could make to people and She t Goes On Tour! ess and now runs Crafty how happy families would be to busin les, a small handmade gifts You may remember AuKids’ have this opportunity! Toys R Us Cudd any. She says: popular Autism Sundae Dessert really seemed to recognise the comp featured in Issue 20, which we SUNDAE SCH benefits of the event for children I look after my son in the day OOL: Jill explains now use to explain the key autism the lking to customers AuKids way and wanted to help”. whilst ta elements of autism. Reader Jill ing custom orders. I make all Toys R Us held its first nationwide and tak Fitzpatrick liked it so much that dmade items from scratch autism-friendly shopping morning on my han she decided to demonstrate it “I’d read your sundae article y children go to sleep and I November 30 th last year. It was when m to the Willaston Hey W.I., and loved it. I thought: ‘Let’s tely love it! I’ve been very hailed a great success by shoppers absolu based on the Wirral. She asked make some ice cream!’ te that I could turn my hobby of all special needs kids, who fortuna the ladies to make their own – usiness and I’ve since “The ladies were intrigued by enjoyed the lower levels of lighting into a b and raised cash for AuKids in ed my product range. I make the ice cream idea and loved and a non-judgemental, quiet expand the process! nimals, framed paper cuts, taking part. I’d also taken a few atmosphere. The store was given sock a art and other gifts for all She told us: “I’ve been photos of some of my friends’ symbols to put up and staff paper occasions at affordable prices. subscribing to Aukids for about kids so they could try and underwent parent-led training. a year and my sister has been guess if they could spot the products all come The company seems keen to repeat Stephanie’s handmade getting the magazine for a few ones with autism (just to help onalised. You can find her on Facebook the initiative. Meanwhile, Victoria pers years. My nephew Matthew has quash the ‘autistic look’ myths). at www.facebook.com/ohsocraftycuddles sets her sights on other stores… I suppose what you would call They were fascinated by the watch this space! ‘severe’ ASC. I love him to tiny stories about each child and pieces, through both the many had their own stories to hilarious and challenging times. share, too.” “I’m training to become an The talk was so popular that Jill Netbuddy Has a New Buddy educational psychologist and has been booked into Liverpool I would love to open my own W.I. this year. Earlier this year, social networking s ite members can now tag tips and topics school. I have so many stories Netbuddy merged with the U K disability of discussion, Tweet and share of friends’ children who have Well done from AuKids! charity Scope to create a new online information they’ve found useful - plus been let down by the schools community for parents of children w ith thank others using a special ‘Thanks’ they have ended up in. I’m *P.S. The ‘triad of impairments’ a wide range of disabilities. definition of autism was ground button, similar to Facebook’s ‘Like’ waiting for my Lottery win! breaking at the time and still The new community offers m feature. uch of “I wanted a new idea for my influential, but these days parents the content that made Netbu ddy so To find out more visit talk because I was chatting to often feel that it sounds rather popular, including hundreds negative and doesn’t take into of practical www.scope.org.uk/community my friend about it and she said tips offered by parents, for p account some of the more positive arents, ‘Whatever you do, don’t do the on everything from bedwettin aspects of autism. g to triad of bloody impairments!’* behaviour. Plus there are lots of new, improved features. Community AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 3 WIN A SENSORY aanndd TOY BAG! RReevviieewwss PPrriizzeess AUKIDS reader Lyndsay Sweeney has started up her own online shop to help other parents BOOK Worries are compared to a tomato plant, find great value sensory products. Pheebsters What to Do When (which keeps growing the more you tend to (www.pheebsters.com) sells fidget and sensory You Worry Too Much: it) and to little lying monsters that demand toys, some of it presented in handy ‘grab and go’ A Kid’s Guide to to be heard (we learn to shout back at travel bags. Phoebe, the gorgeous cover girl for Overcoming Anxiety them). Plenty of strategies help kids to AuKids’ spring 2013 issue, is now five and minimise the time they spend worrying, to provided the inspiration for the store. Lyndsay By Dawn Huebner ‘switch channels’ when worries take over, says: “It makes me very proud to sell the toys Published by Magination Press to question the worries themselves and to she loves!” £15.50 • ISBN 978-1591473145 deal with their negative effects. I really like the way that Dawn addresses We have large sensory toy bags from This book isn't new but I liked it so much I thought I’d share it with you. Any verbal the needs of kids whose worries are Pheebsters, worth £14.99 each, to give child aged 6 and up would benefit from it. general and seem causeless, as well as away to THREE lucky winners. Runners-up those who worry about something specific. A need for routine and dislike of uncertainty will each win a chew pendant worth Parents, who can unintentionally feed can make people on the spectrum buckle worries, can learn a lot from her imaginative £5.99 (winners can choose either light under the weight of anxiety. As a parent, advice, too. Read it first so that you can blue, dark blue, purple or red). Just I spend a lot of my time in ‘reassurance put Dawn’s ‘worry box’ suggestion in place. mode’ and I expect you do, too. answer this question: This is the ideal partner to another of Giving kids strategies to tackle negative Q: You can buy toys at Pheebsters for Dawn’s fab books – What to Do When Your feelings is a great investment. Unfortunately Temper Flares. Both have really helped my all price ranges but what is the lowest autistic kids don’t grow out of worry, which own son to understand his feelings and amount that toys are available for? makes it an important issue to address deal with them in a positive way. A) £2.99 B) £1.99 or C) £0.99 early. This beautifully illustrated book shows them how to cope using simple Debby Elley E-mail your answer A, B or C to explanations and great little analogies. Co-editor [email protected] no later than February 28 th , stating ‘Pheebsters’ in the subject header (or you can write to us at the usual address). Sensory Winners will be toy bag If your child is just about to hit puberty and selected can understand simple stories, you really at random. couldn’t ask for better. These short hardback books have bold, friendly Chew information on each page with a full colour pendant illustration opposite. This honest, straightforward approach is exactly what autistic boys growing up need – no waffle, just blatant, black and white advice. BOOK Tom looks a bit like a Japanese cartoon hero – big eyes, floppy hair and snappy He’s Not Naughty: clothes. In What’s Happening to Tom? A Children’s Guide he experiences all the signs of puberty and to Autism BOOKS learns why they happen and what to do By Deborah Brownson What’s Happening to Tom ISBN 9781849055239 about them. In Tom Needs to Go , he’s Published by Bodhi Book Press Tom Needs to Go ISBN 9781849055215 shopping with his mother when he needs to visit the public loos. The book acts as a £10.00 • ISBN 9780993082306 Things Tom Likes ISBN 9781849055222 visual guide, showing the reader exactly Available via the Amazon All by Kate Reynolds. Illustrated by Jonathon Powell Kindle Bookstore and what Tom does that’s appropriate, and what www.hesnotnaughty.co.uk Published by Jessica Kingsley • £8.99 each sort of things he avoids that would land him in bother. Full marks to author and mum Kate He’s Not Naughty has been written by a parent of Reynolds and illustrator Jonathon Powell In Things Tom Likes , Tom shows his young children with autism. It provides concise information for tackling a tricky subject with such style audience that he knows how to control his that she wished she had been given when her and humour. Their set of three books – urges. You bet the illustrations are blatant – children were diagnosed. What’s Happening to Tom? Tom Needs to but that’s the point. Asking autistic kids to The book has been written from the perspective of a Go and Things Tom Likes are aimed read between the lines is a very risky young girl, whose friend Jake has autism. The story specifically at young boys with autism to strategy. An honest approach like this will is told in a light-hearted, engaging way which means help them understand their developing help them to learn quickly and to ask you the book is suitable for parents to read to children, sexuality and to behave in ways that are questions without any sense of shame or embarrassment. or older children to read by themselves. socially appropriate and will keep them Debby Elley safe. The accompanying illustrations are engaging, Co-editor colourful and lively and were drawn by an artist with Asperger’s.

It contains a range of information about autism, bought separately, including Sensory Processing Disorder, processing IN a Set of Keyring Cards! so you can tailor- speed, touch, hearing, smell, sight and taste, plus W Cartoonist Hannah Ensor runs Stickman make your own set. advice on routines. It summarises how Jake struggles Communications, a fab little UK company These are a really to communicate and understand nuances of that produces humorous little keyring clever way for kids to language, a subject which leads into cards (and other products) to help autistic communicate when they education, bullying and friendships. people of all ages to communicate This book is not just about the want to be alone, or feel overwhelmed, a feelings that may be difficult to explain. great way to relieve anxiety. Take a look WIN A COPY negative aspects of the condition but also touches on Her ASC starter pack of eight cards for at www.stickmancommunications.co.uk by going to our the positives and successes of £16 went to school with Debby’s son We have 3 sets of ASC keyring starter Home page at people on the spectrum. Bobby who was happy to endorse them. packs. Just pop ‘stickman’ in the subject www.aukids.co.uk Cheryl Cotton “They’re really helpful at school, they are header and write to us with your name AuKids magazine readers’ panel so cool and they definitely work!’ His and address at [email protected] teaching assistant agreed! Each high by February 28 th . Winners selected at quality card is laminated and can be random. 4 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 IN CONFERENCE W AN

NAS Conference: iPAD FRAME! Women and Girls on Check out this fatframe, a new Fatframe is suitable for iPads 2, the Autism Spectrum child-friendly iPad case. Boy, is 3 and 4 and the company has October 2014, London it tough! fatframe founder Alison just launched a fatframe air and Nicholson was inspired to create a fatframe mini – all available in it by her own two special needs coral or blue. The fatframe is I met a group of almost therefore must have been children – seven year-old Hazel available from www.fatframe.co.uk twenty women this afternoon doing it for attention. Yet and six year-old Guy. She was and Amazon. The website has a - most with degrees, most autistic women try delighted with their educational demo to watch under ‘News’ and including two psychiatrists, incredibly hard to behave like progress using apps, until the a video on how to put your iPad a finance manager and an ex- ‘typical’ women, masking iPad started going everywhere in the frame. You can buy a BBC reporter. We varied in their true selves and and getting broken! Researching compatible stand for £14.99. age from our 20s to 70s, from emulating the people around the market for protective employed to self-employed to them in an attempt to fit in. products and not being able to unemployed - some mothers, get what the family really A high IQ doesn’t mean that EE some not. The thread we all needed (a lightweight and We have THR your emotional age matches to give shared in common was that bouncy design with frame prizes that, or that you can do your fat orth we are autistic. handles to hold and a fatframe w own shopping and remember away– air, easy to access ports), ew fatframe I heard story after story of to pay the gas bill. £25.99, the n Alison set about nd the new lives lived in a state of anxiety orth £25.99 a For women, even more so designing her own. w th £23.99. and confusion, of scars both me mini, wor than men, societal pressure fatfra g in the physical and psychological Fatframe is soft me logo hidin to conform is intense. Women nd this fatfra and of breakdowns and Simply fi your answer on the spectrum, far from and spongy, hard- ite to us with agazine. Wr iling burnout. wearing but bouncy, m th ter by ema being aloof and unconcerned, ruary 28 . En lightweight, by Feb tframe’ in the It struck me as incredibly sad are often acutely aware of .com with ‘fa smag@gmail prize chewable and easy aukid icating which that these intelligent, clearly this pressure, bend over ader and ind to wipe clean. It’s subject he u can send articulate women, had lived backwards and tie u won. Or yo d prefer if yo 9, most of their lives believing themselves in knots in an made from a high you’ s, PO Box 25 wer to AuKid quality EVA, a durable your ans E. Don’t they were not just inadequate, attempt to conform. shire SK8 9B material which is non Cheadle, Che but abject failures. us the colour I just imagine a little autistic toxic, BPA, lead, latex and forget to tell Time and again these women girl being told the things PVC free. We’ve tried one with you’d like. had been told how they were those women, myself Alec (alias ‘The Wrecking Ball’) rude, obnoxious, had the included, were told. I imagine and it’s held up superbly. Winners will be selected at random. ‘wrong’ tone of voice and the non-verbal four-year-old the ‘wrong’ attitude, were who I help to look after being promiscuous, stuck up, told that because she does attention-seeking fakers, to not speak, she has nothing to name but a few of the things say. I imagine the hilarious 11 mentioned today. year-old I know, whose words are so hard-won and so Imagine for a minute that you uniquely her own, being are a woman who does not talked over as though she know she is autistic, and you didn’t understand. I imagine are told all these things about the six-year-old being sent to yourself day in and day out. the headteacher almost every Outside, your behaviour day because she’s difficult appears quite different from and defiant. how you feel on the inside. But you don’t know that - It breaks my heart to think you trust other people’s that these kinds of things judgements and not your happen and that these own, because you’ve been autistic people won’t see wrong so many times in the themselves for the brilliant, past. beautiful people they really are. You believe other people when they tell you you’re There’s a growing group of ignorant - and you try and autistic women who are change. You observe (even willing to speak out on behalf more), you go over and over of autistic girls, so that they it in your head, you exhaust might hear us and be saved yourself and you try again. from the pain so many of us And then again, the same went through. thing happens, and you don’t An autistic child needs understand why. Finally, you autistic women role models, come to the conclusion that to grow up with acceptance you must just be a failure. of themselves. A little autistic Almost every autistic woman girl needs to know that she is I’ve met has had some seen for who she is. She degree of depression. I don’t needs to know that she is believe this stems from loved, autism and all. autism itself, but the attitudes of other people. Amanda Haydock has autism and is a support Because these women were worker for Time Specialist bright, it was assumed that Support in Manchester. they ˜must have known how to behave, and must AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 5 Voyage of Discovery CONVERSATION SERIES PART 3

Here, you’ve got a person who is however high-functioning they person who won pass the parcel inally, we’re nearing far more likely to stick to where may be. You shouldn’t be worried was…” the end of our boat they’re happiest – relaying factual by this. Until the world adapts to F “George!” journey, and it’s time to information. Like twenty thousand suit people with autism, you’re write a piece for parents things you never knew about their always going to get the best out of “Wow! So the party was great and whose children have latest special interest. them when they’re in comfortable, you played musical statues and familiar situations. pass the parcel, and George won developed language and Four things to bear in mind before pass the parcel. That’s great!” need a helping hand with we begin: 4. Like a Waterfall ... how they use it. Strong Currents 1. Stream of Doing something that doesn’t The subject is so big that come naturally can be extremely Autistic kids often see we could write a book on Consciousness draining, and even downright conversation as an extension it. We know you don’t Firstly, when an autistic person scary. So whilst a waterfall ahead of the dialogue they have with have much time, though, talks to themselves, they don’t in our river might seem exciting to themselves. A strong current so we’ve given you some always keep it inside their head. us, autistic kids may only see the pushes the conversation forward in one direction only, and the other ideas and added some We all talk to ourselves constantly, drop. You can teach people social skills, but don’t necessarily rower is in danger of being sucked good books to the but we tend to keep it inside. expect them to enjoy under without getting time to draw reading list. A lot of autistic people talk to themselves without expecting socialising – and breath! We call this ‘topic By Tori Houghton & Debby Elley anyone to join in. It’s comforting, don’t be dominance’. familiar and self-affirming. worried if Throw them a lifebelt Sometimes it takes the form of they’d and help the Imagine trying to row a boat with echolalia – repeating dialogue rather spend conversation river someone without actually being from games, books, films or TV. time on their along with these aware of them. You’re not Echolalia does serve an important own. They need it to recharge. techniques: watching their oar, so you’re purpose and shouldn’t be likely to miss all steering signals. With all this in mind, here are discouraged (See Ask the Experts, some pointers: Listening Patience It’s the same for a person with Issue 11 on our online archive) . One gentle way of pointing out autism. They miss – and Social Steering the rule of ‘topic dominance’ (i.e. misinterpret – communication 2. Spotting the It’s wonderful when an autistic kid hogging a conversation) is to signals. Undercurrents starts speaking. That oar wasn’t explain it in terms of ‘listening patience’. Successful social interaction Secondly, the sort of ‘inner being used at all, now they’re relies on reading body language dialogue’ that other people have rowing so fast with it! It’s so great, When we’re talking about a including facial expressions. is sometimes lacking in autistic that for a time we really don’t care subject we like, the other person This tells us how our information people. Recognising and reflecting that it’s an endless stream of their has about two minutes’ worth of is being received and whether or on what someone has said based own interests. We want them full listening patience. When time is not to continue talking. on their emotional signals and speed ahead and for a while we up, if they don’t also get a turn, let them row at their own pace. The ability to read facial body language is an extremely they get bored. A concrete rule of expressions is part of ‘social tricky business and so someone Once confidence is built, it’s time thumb such as this is really helpful. imagination’ or ‘3D thinking’ – the else’s comments might be taken at to steer those social skills a little. You could even use a sand timer face value and quite literally. This to show them whose turn it is. sort of imagination that’s very hard Repeating back what they say, makes autistic people refreshing, for autistic people. rephrasing it, or adding extra bits as they lack agendas and don’t Turns in the River Add to that a difficulty in of language to what they’re telling tend to have the means to double- Have you noticed that your child understanding and communicating you can be a gentle way of cross or back stab. It can also seems to rudely ignore you when your own emotions and it’s not developing language. You don’t make them quite vulnerable. you ask a question? It could be very surprising that the amount of need to question them (in fact that that they’re so focused on what information your child offers you may put them off) but commenting 3. Sink or Swim? they’re doing that they’ve tuned about themselves can be fairly on what they’ve just said and you out. It could be that the limited. Thirdly, their social skills – prompting more often works. and therefore their ability to inflection of your voice was too communicate effectively – will Little one: “The party great!” subtle for them to pick up that a vary hugely depending on the Instead of “Why? What did you question was being asked. And environment, and this is the case do?” (instant panic) you could say: it could be a bit of both. “Wow! The party was great So, flag up that you’re about because…” to ask something. E.g. ‘Ruby: Question .’ You can show a query “Played statues!” mark symbol to help. “You played musical statues! Fantastic! And…” Flags in the Water “...and parcel.” In your boat, a series of red flags popping out of the water will guide “...and pass the parcel! And the the little rower along the river. For children who are moving nicely, you can use ‘red flags’ in your own conversation to help

6 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 Further Info

DVDs – The Transporters – www.thetransporters.com and The Space Plac e – spaceplace.t v – are animations dedicated to YOUR TURN helping children recognise guide them towards an answer facial expressions (our that isn’t just ‘yes’ or ‘no’. own graphic designer Jo was among the team Show them that you want working on them). information from them by telling them outright. ‘There’s something I’m really curious to know’ or ‘I would really like to Once again, it’s a question of know what you think about…’. pointing something out directly. Talk to Me: Conversation This shows them that they have ‘Ooh, off topic!’ – you can Strategies for Parents of to supply an answer and to make it into a silly game and do Children on the Autism think about it in terms of more remind your child that to move it with humour. Maybe they can Spectrum or with Speech than just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. swiftly forward you need to take point it out to you, too! and Language Impairments turns in rowing. by Heather Jones, Two Oars are Rowing into Published by JKP • £12.99 There are plenty of specialist ISBN 9781849054287 Better than One games on the market to the Distance encourage this. A physical Heather is a parent who over the As conversation develops, you It’s important in general to reminder is always helpful, such last decade has developed many can start to develop your child’s recognise that learning social as passing a toy – or even a different strategies to help her son awareness of their rowing skills is a part of every day life. microphone – between you. Jamie (now 19) to learn the art of partner and help them to Don’t let thoughts and feelings conversation. Her knowledge of her develop ‘theory of mind’ – the swim unseen underneath the Listening son and her ability awareness that what’s in their river. Take the guesswork out AuKids Has A conversation river is one of it and spell out what body to share with him lk to head isn’t the same as what’s a Copy of Ta that flows easily, and it can only language means and how they the important way. in yours. Me to Give A do that if both partners are need to respond to different elements of a your Simply send When Debby’s son Bobby was feelings. conversation s to listening and adapting to the e and addres seven, she asked him to try and has led to nam with last thing that was said. That [email protected] If you know how they’re feeling, aukidsma t chat about something new. requires speedy processing and some in the subjec point it out – this helps them to ‘Talk to Me’ He explained that he couldn’t, fantastic ers will be is quite hard. identify their own emotions. If header. Winn because his thoughts were progress in ndom after chosen at ra Listening to what someone else you’re feeling upset, don’t just ate of ‘tummy bubbles’. His special her son’s the closing d is saying also means that you show it on your face, tell them. th. interests, he said, were stored communication. February 25 in his tummy and took turns in have to be interested in their floating up to his head. He only opinion. Some great ways of Label Emotions had a certain amount of tummy encouraging a child to listen to Build up their catalogue of bubbles. your opinion is to arouse their information by pausing a curiosity. So instead of just favourite cartoon, observing We used this speaking, introduce what you’re simple facial expressions and W to teach Bobby going to say: “Well, I have an telling them how you can tell NE ‘Theory of Mind’. idea about that…” from a person’s face how they He drew his own poster are feeling. Build it into every illustrating his ‘tummy bubbles’ “Would you like to know what I think?” day chat with your child – be and we asked him to find out their translator. With practise, whether his tummy bubbles “Well I know something about they will get better – but were the same or different to that which you may not already remember that waterfall – it’s those of his friends. Then we know!” hard work for them! asked his friends to do self- portraits showing their own The curious little person will The Green Zone Conversation Book: ‘tummy bubbles’ (once we’d be encouraged to ask for your Finding Common Ground in Conversation explained what the heck they views and be motivated to IF YOU MISSED for Children on the Autism Spectrum by listen to them. were) and we pinned them up PARTS 1 AND 2, Joel Shaul Published by JKP, £18.99. by Bobby’s bed. It became his You may have to ask them to challenge to find out people’s stop and think about what you CATCH UP ONLINE Fantastic hardback showing how ‘tummy bubbles’. In this way just said, encouraging them to two people’s interests exist inside we showed him that every slow down whilst they process separate ‘yellow’ and ‘blue’ circles and person has their own interests your answer. We Have a that they need to and experiences. Copy to Give Wrong Way! Just p Away be talking about op ‘Gr into t een Zo combined Turn Taking he sub ne’ In the Conversation Train book a ject h nd em eaders interests i.e. be A decent journey with fewer (see right), conversation is ail us Febru before in the ‘green stops and starts will begin ary 25t h compared to a train ride, and fo . Don rget yo ’t zone’, in order to to happen with your if you change topic mid-way ur nam and a e have a successful encouragement. All the while, through one, it’s described ddress . conversation. however, you will need to as de-railing. Very clever!

AuKids m agazine , Winter 2015 7 VENUE KEY: 2015 Highlights Scotland North Midlands South Get the Diary Out! Wales • Greg Pasco is a speech and centre, Lancaster , LA1 5JS. good adult learning and evidence JANUARY language therapist passionate Includes huge amount to do for based. about communication-focused kids with SEN (including swimming) Monday 26 th & Tuesday 27 th : The intervention for children with and lots of exhibitors. Go to w/c 18 th : NAS conference – Big Autism Play Day, Chancellors autism. www.nldg2015.eventbrite.com Understanding and Supporting Challenging Behaviour in People Hotel, Fallowfield, Manchester. • Judy Denzilo is a specialist in to pre-register or look up with Autism – London . Date and developing sensory play www.northlancsdirectionsgroup.com Thursday 29 th & Friday 30 th : venue TBA . www.autism.org.uk opportunities for children and The Big Autism Play Day, NCVO, Thursday 19 th : Kidz in the Middle, for details. adults – bringing a treasure trove 8 All Saints St, London 9.30am-4.30pm, Jaguar Exhibition of fabulous resources to explore th DETAILS : The Big Autism Play Day, Hall, Ricoh Arena, Coventry , CV6 Monday 11 : Making Sense of • Joanna Grace is a special (www.positiveaboutautism.co.uk), 6GE. Free entry, free parking, fully Sensory Learning, Manchester educational needs and disabilities focuses on supporting children aged accessible! One of the largest, FREE (venue TBA) www.hirstwood.com consultant with a gift for fantastic roughly 2 to 7 years (all abilities) and UK exhibitions dedicated to children story telling. Tuesday 12 th : Making Sense of might be helpful for parents, foster and young adults with disabilities Sensory Learning, Birmingham carers, teachers, learning support and special needs, their families and (venue TBA) www.hirstwood.com assistants, early years the professionals who work with practitioners/nursery nurses, play FEBRUARY them. Over 120 exhibitors. Friday 15 th : Making Sense of workers, respite/short breaks www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk Sensory Learning, London providers, Speech and Language Wednesday 11 th : The Autism th (venue TBA) www.hirstwood.com Therapists, Occupational Therapists Networks Winter Conference w/c 30 March: NAS Conference DETAILS: Who should come to this? and other autism professionals. 2015, Crewe Alexander Football on Transitions for Children and Teachers, teaching assistants or 9am-3.45pm, prices available for Stadium, 9.30am-5pm. Main Young People with Autism, in therapists in special schools, special one or two days. £245 plus VAT per speakers: Dr. Luke Beardon, Dr Manchester or Leeds – date units for pupils with autism, day. £450 plus VAT both days. Catherine Aldred, Dr Rohit Shankar and location TBA . Look up specialist colleges or inclusive pre- Trainers are: and Alex Lowery. Workshops and www.autism.org.uk for further info. five provision. • Richard Hirstwood has extensive a trade area with all the latest Three dynamic sessions will experience in special education – information, technology and explore how to expand your giving him the insight into what support services from local and MAY repertoire of multi-sensory activities works, and more importantly, what regional suppliers. Look up in a variety of teaching and learning doesn’t, in multi-sensory practice. www.cheshireautismconference Date TBA: Research Autism .org.uk for details. environments. 9am-3.30pm. • Chris Barson founded Positive Presents Autism and the Impact Speakers include: About Autism in January 2009 and on Family Life, London, for details has a long involvement with contact Anoushka Pattenden, Richard Hirstwood has extensive disability and autism. MARCH [email protected] or experience in special education – call 020 3490 3091. giving him the insight into what • Issy Gammer is a specialist in Monday 2 nd : Autistic Intelligence works, and more importantly, what early intervention with children Friday 8 th : Autistic Intelligence presents its spring conference at the doesn’t, in multi-sensory practice. with autism. conference, Portsmouth , details Beardmore Hotel, Clydebank, His innovative approach to TBA. www.autisticintelligence.org.uk Glasgow , with renowned presenters everything is refreshing and inspiring! Dr Olga Bogdashina, Dr Jacqui Monday 11 th : Autistic Intelligence Jackson, Dr Luke Beardon and conference, Cardiff , details TBA. Clive Smith has extensive Elaine Nicholson MA (Autism). experience in working with children Thursday 14 th -Friday 15 th : Training with challenging behaviour, those on Tuesday 3 rd -Wednesday 4 th : for Autism Trainers , Farncombe the autistic spectrum and/or with National Autistic Society’s Conference Centre, Cotswolds profound multiple and learning professional conference , WR12 7LJ, run by Positive About disabilities. As a specialist advisory Harrogate International Centre, Autism (www.positiveaboutautism teacher within a Behaviour Support Harrogate , North Yorkshire. Look .co.uk) Team previously, he is skilled at up www.nas.org.uk for details. DETAILS : Exciting two-day course advising/ supporting staff to meet the diverse needs of this group. Saturday 7 th : North Lancashire aims to provide a solid platform of Directions Group FREE fun and training skills and training ideas for Naomi Rosenberg has been a information day for families with new or existing trainers to enable specialist Teacher of the Deaf for children with additional needs. them to deliver autism training that pupils with complex needs, with 11am-3pm Salt Ayre Sports is engaging, imaginative, positive, twenty years’ experience. During

If you would like your e appea vents to r in this cale in January ndar 2016, please contact us aukidsm at [email protected] Our list isn’t exhaustive, so keep checking our News page at www.aukids.co.uk or our Facebook page for details of events as we get them, plus news on where the AuKids team is appearing.

8 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 this time, she has created and opportunities, and more. Look Hirstwood Training Ltd – specialist Teacher adapted a massive wealth of up www.autscape.org www.hirstwood.com to book. of the Deaf for activities to bring music and pupils with communication to life. A lively and Thursday 19 th : Kidz up North free complex needs, imaginative presenter, she is a exhibition, EventCity, Barton Dock with twenty years’ Sensory Consultant and initiator of SEPTEMBER Road, Manchester , M17 8AS. experience. £195 plus ‘Dance Massage.’ Another freebie run by VAT. including lunch and Thursday 17 th : Kidz Scotland, www.disabledliving.co.uk, refreshments. Aimed at teachers, Highland Hall, Royal Highland the largest they do. teaching assistants or therapists Exhibition Centre, Edinburgh in special schools or special units EH28 8NB. Free disability event Tuesday 24th: National Autism JUNE for pupils with autism, specialist - its second year running in Hands-on Approach conference , colleges or those in inclusive Thursday 4 th : Kidz South exhibition, Scotland. Go to www.disabledliving Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport , pre-5 provision. Go to 9.30am-4.30pm, Rivermead Leisure .co.uk/kidz for details or for tickets Cheshire. Follow on www.hirstwood.com for details. Complex, Richfield Avenue, e-mail [email protected] @autism_handson (Twitter) or Reading , RG1 8EQ. Go to contact Tanya Farley 0966 399709. www.disabledliving.co.uk/kidz Top flight professionals give talks for details. Free entry. and host workshops. For Autism Oxford OCTOBER events, which take place Friday 12 th -Saturday 13 th : Monday 23rd: Sensory throughout the year, go to October/November 2015, TBA: The Autism Show, ExCel, London . Communication – Promoting www.autismoxford.org.uk Research Autism presents 10 Huge show dedicated to families Interaction, Engagement and /index.php/events. If you Years of Research Autism: how living with autism. Has a sensory Communication course , The would like one of their the research landscape has and quiet room. Look up Willowbank Hotel, 340 Wilmslow events to take place in developed and a tribute to Dr www.autismshow.co.uk for details. Rd, Manchester . your area, email your Lorna Wing, London , for details details and location to: th th contact Anoushka Pattenden, Friday 19 -Saturday 20 Tuesday 24th: Sensory [email protected] [email protected] June: The Autism Show, see Communication – Promoting NEC, Birmingham . or call 020 3490 3091. Interaction, Engagement and Autistic Intelligence also www.autismshow.co.uk Communication course , The Tuesday 13th: Autism Central hosts events throughout – the show comes to Eaton Hotel, 279 Hagley Rd, the year; their first took here! exhibition , 10am-3pm, FREE Birmingham for the first Birmingham . place before AuKids went time this year. entry,Trinity Lounge, Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham , B6 to press. Go to Friday 27th: Sensory www.autisticintelligence Friday 26 th - 6HE. Exhibition plus programme Communication – Promoting .org/1/conferences see Saturday 27 th : of seminars and workshops for Interaction, Engagement and individuals, professionals and The Autism Communication course, London For details of NAS families. Opportunities for stadium Show, Event City, NCVO, 8 All Saints St, London training events, go to Manchester tours, too! Visit www.qac.ac.uk/ here! . (near St Pancras Station) www.autism.org.uk/our- autism-central , e-mail www.autismshow.co.uk DETAILS : Run by Hirstwood services/training-and- [email protected] or call Training Ltd. Presented by sensory consultancy.aspx Karen Easthope on: 0121 428 5041. JULY consultant Naomi Rosenberg , a Date and details TBA: Research NOVEMBER Autism presents the Autism and THE NATIONAL EVENT FOR AUTISM Employment Conference, London . Monday 9 th : Multi-sensory Ideas, IS RETURNING TO MANCHESTER Contact Anoushka Pattenden, Recipes and Resources course , [email protected] or The Willowbank Hotel, 340 call 020 3490 3091 for details. Wilmslow Rd, Manchester . Wednesday 11 th : Multi-sensory Ideas, Recipes and Resources, AUGUST The Eaton Hotel, 279 Hagley Rd, For everyone living and working sponsored by in association with Birmingham . with autism in the north DATE and venue TBA: Autscape conference, www.autscape.org. Friday 13 th : Multi-sensory Ideas, Conference organised by and for Recipes and Resources, London 26-27 June 2015 | EventCity, Manchester autistic people. Non-autistic people NCVO, 8 All Saints St, London are also welcome, but the (near St Pancras Station) Q Hear the UK's leading autism professionals environment and content are DETAILS : This will be a day where centred on autistic people’s needs, Richard Hirstwood will focus on interests and sensitivities. ideas and techniques to build your Q Discover 100s of products & services Autscape includes workshops, repertoire as a multi-sensory leisure activities, social practitioner. £195 plus VAT. Run by Q Listen to adults on the autism spectrum

Q Learn new strategies & approaches

Q Access one to one specialist advice

Q Interact with innovative sensory products Have you heard eaker? an inspiring sp Book now and save 20% us a review on Send hy to www.autismshow.co.uk who, where and w gmail.com. Help to connect the local autism community by inviting ukidsmag@ others a ected by the condition. a n 300 Follow us on No more tha Discount available for group bookings of ten or more. words please. AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 9 Everyday Tips Give your child extra time for processing their ➤ environment. Providing a safe and predictable home environment ➤ and routine serves to reduce stress and therefore sensory distress. Use familiar ‘objects of reference’ ➤ to allow your child to understand a Try message through touch – for your ing instance you could give the child bserv ame o the s d in h an empty cup to feel before you chil n wit uatio r give them a drink. sit colou ent differ ee if For light sensitivity, you to s ➤ ulbs y can help by turning off any b s an it ha unnecessary lighting (especially, ect. eff fluorescent lighting), having matt surfaces on walls (less bouncing of light) and lamps rather than overhead lights, plus low wattage light bulbs. Don’t force eye contact. ➤ Remember, a child who isn’t looking at you (or a ➤ book) may be trying to listen instead. If you want them to look at something and they’re easily overloaded, reduce the amount of words you use. As some individuals with autism see everything in ➤ pieces, they need time to adjust to different surroundings.

Other interventions Coloured Overlays: According to the charity Research Autism (www.researchautism.net), there is some limited The traditional definition of autism is world fading away. ‘Intensity’, can refer to research evidence that coloured overlays could be changing. Sensory perceptual difficulties, too little as well as too much – a person useful for some autistic people who experience once referred to as if they were a side experiencing ‘hypo’ sensitivity is under- reading difficulties not associated with intellectual order with autism, are now being sensitive to visual sensory input. impairment. Coloured overlays are clear plastic recognized as part of the main dish. sheets that can be placed on top of reading If you’re processing the world in a Inconsistent Perception materials, such as books or newspapers. different way, it has a massive impact on Visual stimuli may appear very bright on behaviour and a knock-on effect on one occasion and very dim on another. Coloured Filters: These are tinted, non-optical communication, so the more we For Donna Williams, sensory lenses that can be put into ordinary specs frames and understand about these ‘sensory’ hypersensitivity is a fluctuating condition are designed to help people who suffer from visual differences, the more we can help. and depends on information overload. stress. People with this condition are especially sensitive to lights, glare, patterns, colours, and The trouble is, we can’t walk around Fragmented Vision contrast. inside our children’s heads. Visual Sometimes people with autism cannot perceptual difficulties are particularly perceive objects, people or surroundings Coloured filters are designed to block the specific tough to identify. According to Olga as a whole. The perception of parts wavelengths of light to which an individual is Bogdashina, celebrated author of many instead of wholes and using only a very sensitive. So, for example, your child might be books and papers on the subject, visual limited part of the available information is especially sensitive to blue light and therefore use a distortions are varied, unpredictable and known as ‘stimulus overselectivity’. blue filter to reduce its effects. Irlen lenses are the constantly changing. Because of this, autistic people often most well-known of these types of filters and their react to parts of objects as being tints are incredibly subtle - there’s a massive variety In her paper, Possible Visual complete entities. This explains difficulties of them, too.. Experiences in Autism , Olga identifies many types of visual distortion. We have understanding facial expressions and On the plus side, some individuals have reported life- shortened and simplified each of her body language. changing positive effects from these lenses. On the explanations, but the paper is still Once familiar objects can be strikingly down side, the assessment methods used by Irlen are available to read online if you’d like more unfamiliar if changed only slightly. This not yet designed for pre-verbal kids on the autism detail. explains why some autistic children can spectrum and therefore it’s hard to assess their effect. get very anxious about changes that are Children who are able to reliably report what they’re Here are the main types that seemingly small to us. experiencing will be more likely to benefit from them. she identifies: Prosopagnosia Ambient Prism Lenses: These are also known as Intensity (‘face blindness’) conjugate prisms, yoked prisms or performance In the state of ‘hyper’, a person’s vision Some autistic people have trouble lenses, transitional lenses or Kaplan lenses. They are is too acute. For example, as a child, recognizing people’s faces. This condition used to help improve ‘ambient vision’ – the system author Donna Williams ‘the air was full makes them blind to all but the most related to spatial organisation. Some people believe of spots’. Later she learnt that they were familiar ones. To compensate, they work that they improve posture and co-ordination in air particles, but her vision was so out their own recognition system – often children with autism. hypersensitive that they often became a recognizing people by their hair, clothing hypnotic background with the rest of the or movement.

10 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 Light Sensitivity Poor/Distorted Depth and different senses. For instance, a sound triggers Bright lights and sunshine can be disturbing and Space Perception the perception of a colour. A word can trigger often cause distortions. Fluorescent lighting the perception of a taste. There are many other This is caused by light hypersensitivity. As well examples. seems to be particularly problematic for autistic as distorted depth and space perception, some people. people experience the world in 2D, have ‘double Photographic Memory vision’, or have distortions of shape, size, and Fascination for Coloured Many autistic people have a very good movement. Small rooms might look as if they are perceptual memory, especially a visual memory and Shining Objects even smaller to some, whilst to others the space for details. Some autistic people can spell This is also caused by hypersensitivity. seems to be expanded and a single room might excellently thanks to their visual memory. Sometimes people with autism, when they’ve look as big as a whole house. Distortions are Stephen Wiltshire, below, is an autistic savant given up fighting for meaning in an reported to become worse if the person’s whose drawings of architectural buildings incomprehensible world, transport themselves experiencing information overload. contain the smallest details such as style and from overload with an entertaining, secure and Delayed Processing size of windows. All this despite him only seeing hypnotic level of ‘hyper’: watching the reflection the original buildings once for a few minutes. He of every element of light and colour, or tracing By the time they decode some of the sensations can draw entire cityscapes from memory. every patterned shape and vibration of noise as they experience, a few minutes may have it bounces off the walls. passed – a day or even a week. Visual Thinking Meaning-Blindness One of the characteristics of autism is the Peripheral Vision remarkable ability of most autistic people to One of the characteristics of autism is avoidance When visual hypersensitivity is so high that any excel at visual-spatial skills while performing of eye contact. There are people with autism interpretation is impossible, we call it Meaning very poorly at verbal skills. For those who have who see better when they use their peripheral Blindness. In this case, an autistic person might visual thinking, words are like a second vision. act as if they were really blind, and use other language. Their thought processes are different sensory systems to compensate - they ‘see’ for from language-based thinkers. Recent research One theory suggests that people with autism use instance by using their ears, nose, tongue or findings show that verbal thought and visual peripheral vision because their central vision is hand. thinking are processed in different brain regions. ‘hypo’ (under-sensitive) while their peripheral Not all people with autism are highly visual vision is ‘hyper’ (over-sensitive). Personal Efferent Copying thinkers, though. accounts can differ, though - showing that often In 1994, the researcher J. Russell explained how they do not use direct perception because ‘it in normal development, the nervous system hurts’ (which suggests it’s hyper). controls movements of the head and eyes to scan the environment and keep track of moving Intolerance of another person’s eye movement objects. It can distinguish whether it’s the person can also cause lack of eye contact. Also, some who’s moving, or the environment around them. autistic people can only work in ‘mono’, processing just one sensory channel at a time. In some cases of autism, a disturbance at the So they may not be able to listen to you and stage of ‘efferent copying’ prevents the person Colour coding for ➤ look at you at the same time. having a sense of themselves. So, a child may Learners with Autism , not get dizzy in the normal way from spinning by Adele Devine, Inability to Distinguish Between and might even seek out these kinds of Published by Jessica Foreground and Background movement sensations for stimulation. Kinglsey Publishing. This is caused by problems filtering out irrelevant Sensory Perceptual Issues Synesthesia ➤ visual information. It may account for some in Autism by Olga Bogdashina, people’s ‘superability’ to see two pictures (‘cross-sensory perception’) published by JKP, has a simultaneously and not be fooled by optical In synesthesia, the stimulation of one sensory questionnaire at the back to illusions. channel triggers a perception in one or more help you find out whether your child’s behaviour relates to sensory distortions and if so, which type. To find your nearest Irlen Centre, visit ➤ www.irlenuk.com Some opticians have vision therapy ➤ departments and others do colourimetry testing. Cheap coloured glasses ➤ can be found at www.happyeye.co.uk There’s a small visual stress test on the site for readers. Cheap overlays and coloured paper are

s ➤ e available from the British Dyslexia g a Association at www.bdastore.org.uk m I

n o i

t FX Software at www.fx-software.co.uk a

i ➤

c has a variety of assistive software to o s

s download for free to help with computer A

s work. s e r

P LED Colour y ➤ s

e Changing Light t r

u Bulb. Control o c the colour of a e r u

t light bulb with c i

P your phone! Available on ebay for QUICK ON THE DRAW: Autistic artist Stephen Wiltshire draws on the first day of his appearance £29.99. in Singapore’s Paragon Shopping Centre on July 16 th 2014. Singapore Press Holdings invited him to draw a panorama of Singapore.

AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 11 Ask the Exxppeerts

‘‘ My child won’t sit and focus when it’s time to be quiet at assembly or s

carpet time. e g a m ’’ I

n o i t a i c o s s A

s s e r P y s e t r u o c

Neurotypical people can also e r u struggle with sitting quietly t c i for long periods of time. P

such as rocking, can calm us physical indicators about where down. they should stand/sit also. If your little boy is struggling to If we want our children to self- sit still, it’d be good to know regulate, sit still and focus, we what level of alertness he is at. have to make sure they are Calm, Alert and Nourished (that is, they Is he moving about to lower CAN). his level of arousal and calm himself? If he’s feeling anxious Children can be helped to be this could be the case. Calm by ensuring predictability: Sensitivity to noise might have printed schedules of what is the same effect. He may have going to happen, when, where just come from a challenging and for how long. Give the child Breanne Black sensory situation such as play specific information about how Heather MacKenzie Specialist Paediatric time and is trying to calm long he’s going to be in the Occupational Therapist down to try and focus. Speech and Language assembly or circle time. You Pathologist and Founder of the may want to start with just five Cool For Kids Occupational The opposite could also be SPARK* programme (Self Therapy minutes before he can get up the case – that his movement Regulation Program of Awareness www.coolforkidsoccupationaltherapy. and Resilience in Kids) and move around and then co.uk shows he’s trying to increase progressively increase the time his level of arousal in order to span. E-mail: [email protected] help him listen. In any case – it serves a purpose! Poor body Firstly, is this behaviour really An Alert child is better able to awareness can also play a a problem? A behaviour is a self-regulate. If he is tired or not An important issue that must part. problem when it interferes with feeling well, he can’t be expected be considered is how alert learning (for the child himself to calm and centre himself. Try activities beforehand to someone is. In Occupational and/or others) and/or is unsafe. address his level of alertness. Giving the child some purpose Therapy-speak an ‘optimum We really need careful self- Occupational therapists can and meaning to the assembly level of arousal’ is one that reflection as adults to figure out advise a ‘sensory diet’ to help. and carpet time can make a large allows you to feel calm yet if it’s our issue or the child’s. Fidget toys can allow for difference in his alertness and alert. movement whilst he’s seated If the behaviour is a problem, ability to attend. You may wish to This allows for increased and weighted lap toys are then how is the setting being provide him with a list of specific sensory tolerance, focus, good for calming. You can use prepared for the child to help things to look and listen for concentration and attention. a special cushion that allows ensure his success? Our children during the time period. for movement whilst he’s need to know exactly where their We all climb up and down an Nourishment is critical to a sitting. Ear defenders can help bodies should be. That means alertness ladder throughout child’s ability to self-regulate. If if sensitivity to noise is an that they need to have clear the day. During times of he hasn’t eaten within the past issue. physical, visible indicators about two hours, don’t press him to excitement, stress and anxiety, Allow him to sit on the edge of where to sit or stand. It can be a self-regulate. See The Eating our level of arousal may be the circle if he doesn’t like the chair, a carpet square, hula hoop, Game™* for an effective system high. Most of us have acquired closeness of others and use a or a taped out area. Many of our for children to learn dietary self- our own strategies to ensure visual timer. children with autism don’t like regulation. we remain at this optimum level. having others in too close a Finally, sitting still for lengthy proximity, so give other children * theeatinggame.ca Spinning movement can periods is tricky for adults let increase our level of arousal alone kids, so keep your while side to side movement, expectations realistic!

12 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 with their name at the same time behaviour expectations at the as the teacher. start: “I’m looking for good • If you are working towards sitting, looking, good listening and use a timer and allow them to go good sitting.” They could use a to another activity after a minute, poster as a visual reminder and gradually increasing the time reward children who follow spent on the carpet as these ‘rules’ with praise. This appropriate. provides role models to copy. • The alternative to carpet time has A session broken down into to be a purposeful activity but on distinct parts is easier to follow. the adult’s agenda. So sitting on Use a Time Timer so he sees the carpet might become the time elapse. Be aware of his preferred option! processing time and provide Dianne Sandler • The time when the children are Adele Devine visual structure for questions. Specialist Teacher, Inclusion on the carpet can be a nice quiet Founder of I.T. games Planning and Accountability Team calm time to do some 1-1 work. company SEN Assist and He may have difficulty keeping Hackney Learning Trust This needs to be planned and special needs teacher to his own space or knowing [email protected] ready. how to sit (carpet squares may www.learningtrust.co.uk • In a few classrooms, story time help). What about a different has become more interactive and At home, choose a quiet time. way of sitting if there’s a animated and this has helped Show him a picture of children sensory issue? (My class do As I walk into reception classes all engage a child with autism. Using at carpet time or assembly. circle time on beanbags over the borough where I work as a props and rhythm for example Talk about what you see - - Kidz Reading Pod at specialist teacher every September helps all children to pay attention. “The children are doing good www.edenlearningspaces.co.uk ). this is often the first question I am • I have seen carpet sessions start sitting.” Pause… “The teacher Noise, harsh lighting or asked. with a YouTube clip of a song or is talking.” He may not know different smells can all cause the class singing an action sitting is an issue. He may discomfort – be aware. And these are the questions I ask: song/rhyme and this has helped reveal what is. Rewards help. Could he have to engage a child with autism for ‘What is the class doing on the A child once told me that a 10-minute reward time longer and made them more carpet?’ her teacher spoke ‘too ‘break’ afterwards to bounce, aware of their peers. complicatey’ and would fiddle, twiddle, read or zone ‘How long does the carpet session • Some children find sitting and ‘sometimes shout’. With that in out? School could use a token last?’ listening too hard. Their focus is mind, the first thing that may reward board. ‘Is it usefu l/ interesting to your all on the sitting so they cannot help is simplifying teacher talk child?’ take anything else in. Sometimes and ensuring consistent, When the session ends, the a trampoline or therapy ball can teacher should praise the Carpet sessions in mainstream considerate volume. Adding help with a child’s ability to focus. things he got right. “Harry. schools are language rich and visuals and Makaton™ signs • There are pros and cons to You did good sitting when I involve a lot of listening and will help with focus. having a fidget toy on the carpet. read my story. That makes understanding. Some visuals are Pros - it can help concentration, His teacher should state me happy! Good boy!” used but they can be hard to see lots of us fiddle with our hair, our and focus on with 29 other children nails, a keyring or necklace around you. (unconsciously) to help us There is a big preoccupation in concentrate. schools that children should follow Cons – it is too distracting for the class routine regardless of other children, it can become whether it is contributing to their something to throw to gain a learning. And you can see that this reaction and can lose its lack of cooperation and attraction quite quickly. engagement poses problems for • The most successful carpet the teacher and support staff as it sessions have involved the is the expected routine of the class teacher and the support staff and it can make it difficult for the working together to ensure other children to focus. visuals are ready to support a child with autism access the Here are some tips that have lesson. For example, they have worked for me: their own copy of a stor y/ activity • Use visuals like Now and Next to and the key words printed out, Together for autism help your child understand this is the supporting adult and the child not going to last forever and it is has a white board and pen so To support your child’s journey through childhood into just for taking the register or that the child has an example of adulthood our ASC specialist services include: doing a quick phonics session for what is expected right beside example and then they can do hi m/ her and the child is in a something else. I have given a good position on the carpet to ¯ Inscape House School ¯ Step-up course at Bridge College ¯ child their own register with small see and hear the teacher. ¯ Community Support and Short Breaks¯ photos of each child to match ¯ Shared Care and full-time Residential Care ¯

Together we work across the autism spectrum from birth to adulthood. We provide independent diagnostic and • Fiddly toys we like can be found at – specialist assessment, speech and occupational therapy Further Information www.sensetoys.com and assessment and delivery. We also provide consultancy. www.sensorytoywarehouse.com • Sensory Audit for Schools and To find out more please contact us Classrooms www.positiveabout • Cushion - Disc O autism.co.uk/resources/Module-6a- Sit Jr. Disco Sit Jr togethertrust.org.uk Sensory-audit-tool-for-school.pdf (under Junior Kids Relax [email protected] the same resource list there’s Answers Sit Still - £18.95, /SupportTogetherTrust @TogetherTrust to Questions Teachers Ask About www.amazon.co.uk

Sensory Integration). 0 5

• Movin Sit Cushion 1 4 1

AUTISM 8 • Weighted toys – £29.99 www.starpacks.co.uk GGG ACCREDITATION Louis the Ladybird • Ear defenders - Baratec Yellow Registered Charity nu.mber 209782 Lap Weight and Cushioned And Adjustable Headband Calvin the Caterpillar Ear Defenders Ear Muffs - SNR 25 db - Do you have a question for Ask the Experts? Shoulder weight, £5.95 – www.amazon.co.uk £28.95, E-mail us at [email protected] www.specialdirect.com • 30-minute Sand Timer £12.49, Sense Toys (www.sensetoys.com) AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 13 DOUBLE TROUBLE or TWICE AS NICE What’s it like living with twins on the spectrum?

SAMUEL & ELLIOT CHARLIE & Neville and Sarah Bailey are parents to non-identical twins Samuel and Elliot who are 7. They live in ARCHIE Nottingham. Elliot was diagnosed in 2011, Samuel in Archie 2013. Both have autism including sensory processing Lindsey and Sean Guymer are parents difficulties and can be challenging. Samuel is awaiting Charlie diagnosis of possible ADHD. to five-year old identical twins Charlie Sarah says: “We realised there frequently washes his hands. and Archie and live in were issues with Elliot when he He also has a stammer and Dereham, Norfolk. was two as he used to bite and body ticks. Elliot loves Innotabs, appeared not to listen. He was bowling, music and playing his Both twins were diagnosed at the age of 2 diagnosed, then Samuel Wii. He hates busy environments with the same diagnosis of autism and global displayed behaviour but we and is a fussy eater. developmental delay. thought he was copying Elliot. “They don’t seem to have As time went on and their empathy for each other, but Lindsey says: “I’m not sure enjoy all the little things. behaviours became very they have some lovely moments if it’s made it more difficult The boys have older different, we realised Samuel when they will sit together or easier that they both brothers - Jack is 13 and may also have an autism playing an Innotab game. have autism, but the fact Josh is 8 and it’s hard spectrum condition and went they do not take notice of for them not getting through the diagnosis process “Having twins with autism has each other I guess might be recognition from their little with him. I found it really hard to turned our lives upside down. easier on them - as if one brothers, but then if the discover they both had Nev had to give up work was aware of the other and boys put their arms up to autism. I work as a two years ago to look didn’t ever receive a be lifted or give a cuddle or learning disability after them. We response it would be hard smile, even this means the nurse, so I knew They don’t seem sleep three to four to watch. world to them and us. hours a night, so in my mind they to have empathy for had autism, but tiredness is a “The boys are both non- “I’d be lying if I didn’t it was hard to each other, but they have challenge. You verbal and lack say the day we received hear. some lovely moments when can’t take the communication skills, diagnosis wasn’t a difficult boys out on your although Archie is one…it was even though “Samuel finds they will sit together own, which can sometimes using picture we expected it. There are life a daily playing an Innotab make you feel cards to indicate still those down days challenge. He game. very isolated. when he wants but we wouldn’t likes being on his food. want it any own and hates “It has also changed There are still other way “Both socialising and he needs our outlook on life. We and feel boys are those down days but routine and consistency. He try and find the positive in blessed extremely we wouldn’t want it any spends time pacing. He finds everything. We have learnt to beyond loving on other way and feel blessed being out and about most adapt our lifestyle to suit the belief to their difficult. He becomes frustrated boys. You also find out who beyond belief to have have these terms. quickly and will hit out at others your true friends are. You learn amazing The main these amazing little if they are within his personal to stay strong, stick together as little boys in difference is boys in our lives. space. a family and fight for everything our lives. the boys need. Archie is a lot “He loves watching TV, playing more upset by “The most his Innotab and listening to “The twins are two amazing routine changes and challenging thing is stories. He listens to music and gorgeous little boys. They have will throw himself on the going out and about with enjoys bowling and the cinema. turned our world upside down, floor a lot during a day the boys, seeing as they He hates getting wet and busy but have made our lives when he is being taken both have no danger places. amazing at the same time”. places. He especially hates awareness whatsoever and “Elliot craves routine and the doctors and shopping will just run if they get a consistency - he needs to be in of any kind! chance. I tend not to attempt trips away from the control to feel safe. He has very “The boys both love house on my own unless high levels of anxiety. He is watching the new Fireman absolutely necessary. more sociable than his twin (on Sam and playing outside - his own terms). He likes to pace if they are in a safe “The best thing is the and spin. If things are not done Elliot enclosed outdoor space unconditional love the boys in the right order, he has to start they love it. give - a smile and a hug Samuel the process again. He has from them is priceless”. obsessions (such as germs) and “Having twins with autism has taught us as a family to

14 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 GEORGE & SONNY & PATRICK George Paula and Mark Denny are parents to twin sons CHARLES Sonny and Patrick. They live in Droylsden, Charles Manchester and the boys turned six on the 4 th George and Charles and 5 th of December. Fidler are six year-old non-identical twins. George “At first the paediatrician saying ‘Again!’ Because he has autism and Charles thought Patrick was copying was communicating, I would doesn’t. They live with their Although Sonny. Patrick had many do it - a song over and over, parents on a smallholding in George can be words and would give lovely or a daft dance over and over, Stockport, Cheshire. very challenging, he eye contact. He would play or the same book over and and interact like most two over again. wins people over with year-olds, too. But I knew Diane says: “From the time they “I’ve “Whereas his gorgeous smile there was more to it than could sit unaided, my partner always Sonny’s an Patrick just copying some of Patrick has Pete and I began to notice a been and his sense of outdoor Sonny’s behaviours, so this is calmed down and difference in their behaviour and open to humour. person, why we had a genetic test development. George would Charles about Patrick is now there are rare which revealed that they were rock back and forth in his infant George’s autism an indoor occasions where we identical. By the age of three, carrier and bouncy chair, and Charles is happy to tell kind of Patrick had lost all of his are able to play moving them from one side of everybody. From 3 years-old guy. the room to the other. when George wasn’t talking, words, had become very tickle games. Patrick was Charles would introduce him by aggressive and was in a “We expressed concerns over always the saying ‘This is my brother different world. his development and he was dominant twin, George, he’s autistic’. then referred to a consultant “Sonny can be the most loving hitting, biting and pushing paediatrician. By the age of “Charles looks after George but at times with his big hugs and poor little Sonny. No one was two, George was supported by he also gets angry with him for the way he holds my face right too big or off limits to Patrick. occupational therapy, speech breaking his toys (George has up to his - his smile and his My boys have not had a great and language therapy and got through a large box of Nerf laugh make him glow. But it Portage services. He was also darts as he uses them for was not always like this. referred to the Children’s stimming) and often feels he As a baby he would cry Community Learning Disability isn’t getting the same amount for hours and never Team and began to attend their of attention. sleep, everything has play development group. “George finds it difficult to play always been on George had an ADOS test and games with Charles, although Sonny’s own terms. was diagnosed with autism at they do role play together - Eye contact, play, three years old. George likes to line up chairs, being held - “George was given an early put a soft toy on each chair and everything. Patrick resourced placement in a pretend he is a train driver, “It took a while for resourced nursery class when although Charles usually gets Sonny to let me in. he was two and Charles joined his own way and takes over as But when he does, Sonny him in the same class the the driver! it’s wonderful and following year. They are now “They go to most places beautiful. Sonny in Year 2 of Brookside Primary together, but Charles has loves to climb and run in Stockport, a resourced recently started going to and is the world’s best primary school. Charles has a sessions and activities run by spinner. He can bounce a mainstream place and George Stockport Signpost for Young ball or a balloon with such skill has a resourced place with Carers. and patience. full-time support. relationship with each other in “I struggle to take them to “From day the past as Patrick would hurt “The twins love school and public places because of one, his Sonny through jealousy, enjoy being with their friends. George’s behaviour, but I have Daddy frustration, Sonny being too Both are doing well and George It took a while been taking them to the local has been close or making a noise continues to amaze everybody children’s centre run by for Sonny to let me his best with his mathematical ability Patrick could not copy. Independent Options for four in. But when he does, friend. and his excellent memory. “But over the years, Patrick years as it is safe, secure and it’s wonderful and He can Although George can be very has calmed down and now friendly. I also send them to hold him challenging, he wins people beautiful. there are rare occasions where CADS (a local able bodied so tight - over with his gorgeous smile we are able to play tickle and disabled club run by the Sonny loves and his sense of humour. games with the boys tickling Seashell Trust) in the school it. He can throw each other (hand over hand) “Charles loves cycling and holidays where George has him so high in the air that and making each other laugh. scooting and helping his dad one-to-one support. They Sonny must feel like he’s flying to mow the field, feed the attend weekly inclusive and is sometimes nearly sick “My husband Mark went from chickens and chop logs. swimming lessons together at with laughing. So far, we have full time work to part time as George is very active and agile. the Seashell Trust (Cheshire), only heard him say a few we threw ourselves into the He is fearless and loves too”. words. Son-Rise programme. We climbing but has no work as a team, it’s the only “Both my boys tip-toe walk awareness of danger to way. You need to think on and neither of them sleep. himself or others. He your feet and be more For 5 years they only slept 4 climbs trees and onto the practical. They make us so hours a night. stable roof, duck house proud, though, with all the roof and car roof! The “Patrick is like my little things they have to deal with twins also love playing shadow. When he was very and process. The majority of on their tablets although little we would play for hours the time they are very happy they now have to share and he would have me doing boys”. one as George dropped the same thing over and over, his into the toilet!

AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 15 8+57#.4'#&+0) K2#&  The Last Word 4'#&9+6*914&5#0&2+%674'5 By Debby Elley, journalist and BY BOB ALEC mum of twins with autism. S c r e a m M I o N a T n E N

S D I T

Y C

W F h i n E %4'#6'#2'4510#.%100'%6+10$' D e

e 69''0#914&#0&#0+/#)' n i a B l

4'#&$;75+0)914&52+%674'5 Z o

n Garden #55+)0;174190+/#)'58+&'15 e A Zone G 616*'914&5#5;176;2' ‘Dead’ 10 30 60 120 %4'#6';1741905614+'5 MINUTES $7+.6+06':66152''%* My Highly Scientific 4'%14&;1741900#44#6+10 YYYXKUWCNTGCFKPICRRUEQO Tantrum Analysis

This little diagram, based on the GARDEN ZONE: There follows some experiences of a sample of, er… stamping around and a few threats to one…is not exactly going to make belong to a different family coupled with it into The Lancet. However it’s the announcement that he’s leaving the simplest way of describing home, and a tentative opening of the ^ŽŌ͕ƐĂĨĞ͕ďĞĚƐ͕ƌŽŽŵƐĂŶĚƚƌĂǀĞů how Bobby’s meltdowns work in front door. Once he realises he’s bitten comparison to your average tantrum. off more than he can chew, he heads ƉŽĚƐ͕ƐĞĞƚŚĞŵĂƚƚŚĞEEĂŝĚĞdž I may give it to his secondary school for the back door instead and potters once I’m certain that they’re taking round the garden grumbling to himself ĞdžŚŝďŝƟŽŶ͘ KǀĞƌƚŚĞůĂƐƚƐŝdžƚĞĞŶLJĞĂƌƐ him and can’t back out. until he realises it’s a bit cold actually and comes back in. ŽĨƉƌŽďůĞŵƐŽůǀŝŶŐǁĞŚĂǀĞ Here’s the explanation: ŵĞƚŵĂŶLJĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐĂƚ B Enter stage left a complete ďƌĞĂŬŝŶŐƉŽŝŶƚ͘WŽŽƌƐůĞĞƉ A Your average neurotypical stranger who looks like my son ƉĂƩĞƌŶƐ͕ŝŶũƵƌLJĨƌŽŵƐĞůĨ tantrum is explosive but tails off but speaks in a weird voice. This new ŚĂƌŵ͕ůĂĐŬŽĨĂǁĂƌĞŶĞƐƐŽĨ to a whine pretty quickly. At this point, person (‘Joey’ in the last instance) ĚĂŶŐĞƌƐĂŶĚŶŝŐŚƚ Bobby’s just warming up. When he doesn’t like computers and has never ǁĂŶĚĞƌŝŶŐĂůůƚĂŬĞƚŚĞŝƌƚŽůů͘ can’t deal with the unwelcome news heard of that particular banned website. ǀĞŶĐŽŽŬŝŶŐƚĞĂŽƌŐŽŝŶŐ any longer, he lies down on the floor to If he has heard of it (which he hasn’t by ƚŽƚŚĞůŽŽĐĂŶďĞƐƚƌĞƐƐĨƵů play dead for a while. If you hadn’t the way) he doesn’t even LIKE it. noticed him unobtrusively lying in the ŝĨLJŽƵĚŽŶΖƚŬŶŽǁƚŚĞLJ͛ƌĞ Parental nervous breakdown. middle of the hallway, he’ll announce: C ƐĂĨĞ͘ “I’m dead. Goodbye.” Tongue out to Parental bribery about all the nice tĞůŝƐƚĞŶƚŽLJŽƵƌƉƌŽďůĞŵƐƚŚĞŶƚĂŝůŽƌ the side for effect. This lasts about ten D things he can have instead of ŵĂŬĞĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚƚŽƐƵŝƚLJŽƵ͘ZŝŶŐdŽŵ minutes and is quite nice for us. banned website. ŽƌDŝĐŚĞůůĞƚŽĚŝƐĐƵƐƐŚŽǁǁĞĐĂŶ DENIAL ZONE: When he ‘awakens’, Emergency phone call to my mum ŚĞůƉƌĞĚƵĐĞƐƚƌĞƐƐŝŶLJŽƵƌĨĂŵŝůLJ͘ he reckons that you may still change E for words of wisdom plus a side your mind as long as he whines a lot. order of chicken soup. The last time this Especially if the whining is full of frankly happened, Bobby shouted to me whilst doubtful promises such as “I’ll never I was on the phone: “I feel better now!” ever ever ever be naughty again.” Requests for me to turn into a SECOND PEAK: Once he’s sure F comedian to cheer him up now you aren’t budging, there’s another he’s all better. I am feeling about as explosion. This bit’s like watching a funny as a hedgehog that’s just been car being steered in the wrong direction run over by an Eddie Stobbart lorry. ĂƐĞƐƚƵĚŝĞƐ͕ƉƌŝĐĞƐĂŶĚŝĚĞĂƐĨŽƌĨƵŶĚŝŶŐŽŶůŝŶĞĂƚǁǁǁ͘ĐƌĞĂƟǀĞĐĂƌĞůƚĚ͘ĐŽ͘ƵŬ and then over-compensating, as he W,KEϬϳϱϴϱϲϲϳϮϰϴͶϬϳϳϯϭϳϵϯϲϴϳ It’s like it never happened! (Except veers to the opposite extreme. “I hate /ŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ͕ƐƚLJůŝƐŚďĞĚƐĂŶĚƌŽŽŵƐ͕ŐƌĞĂƚƐĞƌǀŝĐĞĂŶĚƐĞŶƐŝďůĞƉƌŝĐĞƐĂƚƌĞĂƟǀĞĂƌĞ>ƚĚ G it did). Hugs and apologies and computers! I am going to ban all later on a small question and answer screens! I am never playing the Sponsored by session about how mummy and Bobby computer EVER again!!” At this point, could deal with this better next time. I’m usually starting to wonder whether “Well, you could let me do what I I should just let him grow up all by want…” himself.

Want to sponsor us? Step right forward. Write to [email protected]

16 AuKids magazine, Winter 2015 Think green! Recycle AuKids - pass it onto someone who needs it, your local library, dentist or doctor’s! www.aukids.co.uk