Category Archives: High Functioning Autism

“Airplane” not “Mama:” Language Development in Children with Asperger Syndrome

Language development in children with Asperger Syndrome is often typical for verbal language but delayed in language use. “Compared with those affected by other forms of autism spectrum disorders those with Asperger syndrome (AS) do not have significant delays or difficulties in language or cognitive development,” states the “Autism Speak’s” website.  Slow developing non-verbal language skills in children …

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College Communication Executive-Function Coach

Transitioning to college from high school Some college students, at least initially, need additional support services to succeed. Not because they don’t have the academic skills, but because they aren’t able to manage their new independence in addition to academic demands.  A College Communication Executive-Function Coach (CCEFC) helps students learn to manage their lives by …

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Mindblindness vs Context blindness

Replacing the generic term of “mindblindness,” often used to refer to people on the autism spectrum, with a more specific term such as “context blindness” has been proposed by Peter Vermeulen, PhD.   Simon Baron-Cohen created the term “mindblindness,” to refer to the deficit  people on the autism spectrum have in reading others mental states. This term …

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“Your Fantastic Elastic Brain”: Motivating Children and Teens with Speech and Language Disorders

Struggling to motivate children and teens with speech and language disorders is an  on going concern. Many learn to navigate around their deficit using strategies, but others avoid learning risks at all cost.  In therapy using interests and games is a popular motivator, but using these tools does not teach students how and why they …

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Social engineering to improve social deficits

In a recent article in Attitude magazine, a magazine that offers strategies and support for people and their families with ADHD and LD, a mom created a Facebook birthday event for her son with Asperger syndrome.  No one wanted to come to her son’s 13th birthday  and her son was upset.  She decided to with …

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Facilitating Language Using Asperger Syndrome Special Interests

“I love video games and science, ” states the 11 year old with Asperger syndrome. A  characteristic of Asperger syndrome special interests can be used to facilitate language and provide career options.   Using special interests in speech-language therapy is a way to motivate clients to practice skills until mastered.