• What is autism?
• What is Asperger's Syndrome?
• Join our ADD & Special Kids Community
• Books for ADD & Special Needs Children

The third most common developmental disability, autism appears before age three. Autism probably affects the brain's cerebellum, which filters and routes incoming sensory information, like a computer's CPU. Sounds, images and touch send signals to the brain for processing. Signals move through the cerebellum to coordinate responses to sensation. Preliminary research indicates some autistic people may lack critical neurons or have immature neurons in their cerebellums!

Autism creates a hyper- or hypo-sensitivities in the senses. Hyper-sensitivity means magnified sensations: soft sounds (like humming fluorescent lights) are painfully loud to autistic people. Hypo-sensitivity means the volume is turned down: some autistics ignore loud noises, suggesting deafness. Hyper- and hypo-sensitivities in hearing, touch, etc. affect reason, social interaction and speech. Autistic children have difficulty listening and talking because sound is either painful or unheard! Light touch disrupts calm and focus. Many soothe their frazzled senses through hand flapping or rocking.

Because their senses perceive differently, autistic people interpret situations differently. They "incorrectly" anticipate the responses of neurologically typical people. Change or new situations surprise them when they focus on irrelevant details. Initially, autistic people prefer predictable objects: flicking a switch turns the light on or off. The reaction of people is not easily predicted. Interaction is intimidating because facial expressions, body language and voice inflection are confusing until the code is broken. Children with autism befriend others through trial and error, memorizing rules for making friends!

Teaching Autistic Children
Who Aut to Be Home!
by Tammy Glaser
The role of homeschooling in autism
Because traditional classrooms bombard their delicate senses, autistic children learn more freely at home. The "experts" discourage diving into homeschooling, so parents cautiously dip their toes into supplementing part-time. Once they wade into full-time teaching, many find the waters refreshing! Find out more about autism through the personal journey of Tammy Glaser and her autistic daughter, Pamela with supporting resources and available discussion groups.

Asperger's Syndrome
by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
What is it & does your child have it?
AS is defined as a form of autism. It was "discovered" by Hans Asperger's back in 1944. It is stressful for kids with AS to interact with other kids and adults. Though they may desperately want to have friends they find that it's very hard to "read" and understand what others mean. It's as if they are "emotionally blind". Find out how to recognize AS in your child, what experts in the field have to say about this condition, and what you can do help make you life better.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Explosive Child
Interview with author Ross Greene
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Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World:
Unlocking the Potential of Your Add Child

by Jeffrey Freed, Laurie Parsons
Requiring only ten minutes a day, the program revealed in this groundbreaking book provides an effective, step-by-step method for helping children with Attention Deficit Disorder develop their special skills and individual learning styles and excel in a classroom setting.