ONLINE RESOURCES

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The following is a list of sites our members have found interesting. We do not endorse or recommend any particular site, nor do we necessarily agree with the information presented by therein. The descriptions below are intended to give an idea of the focus of each site to help you choose sites that may be useful to you. You will need to use your own judgement as to the value and accuracy of the contents of each site.

 

 

Links

 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION SITES

 
 

 

Online Asperger Syndrome Information & Support: OASIS

An award winning site and one stop shop for information on Aspergers. Articles and links on topics such as “what is Asperger Syndrome?”, education, social skills, related disorders, adult issues, current research, publicity and more.

 

Dr Tony Attwood

Clinical psychologist, internationally recognised Asperger expert, author of best-selling "Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals”. The frequently updated site includes a comprehensive and well-described reading and other resources list, information on his international presentation schedule and published papers, summaries of relevant research, support group information and links.

 

Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) (ARC(S))

Aims to highlight and support the needs of individuals with autism in Singapore. ARC(S) Offers assessment and diagnosis, Information (library, database, videos etc), therapy and education support. Its training arm, We Can, provides training for professionals, caregivers and parents: http://www.autism-we-can.com/HTML/index.html

 

The Center for the Study of Autism (CSA)

Conducts research on the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions. Lots of information on various topics including behaviours and interventions.

 

National Autistic Society (NAS)

Lots of practical information about autism and Asperger Syndrome, and about the support and services available in the UK. Eg. “Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for Young People”. Don’t overlook the sections for professionals and journalists.

 

Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the US

A national non-profit organisation committed to providing information on Asperger Syndrome and related conditions. Links to some interesting articles.

 

Asperger Syndrome Australia Information Centre

An on-line support service for parents of children with Asperger Syndrome. Australian organisations, support groups and links.

 

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DIRECTORIES OF LINKS

 
 

 

Oops...Wrong Planet Syndrome

A maze of links from a Canadian women with Asperger Syndrome, whose obsession is … Asperger Syndrome. Also a very inspiring story.

 

Autism Resource Links

 

A Directory for Asperger Syndrome

This directory is designed to help you find the information you need by categorising links available for Asperger Syndrome

 

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APPROACHES

 
 

 

Autism - PDD Resources Network

Information on diagnostic criteria and assessments, summaries of medical tests, therapies, evaluation of treatments and approaches.

 

Social Stories: The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding

Guidelines for writing social stories, sample stories and detailed list of social story topics contained in Carol Gray’s books. Articles, links and book reviews.

 

TEACCH

Non-verbal thinking, communication, imitation and play skills – developmental stages and sample activities as examples of teaching techniques.

 

Social Skills Headquarters

Source for accessing information on social skills. At this site you will find Information on social skills, terms to be familiar with, activities to use with children, legal and advocacy information and Individual Education Plan information.

 

Relationship Development Intervention Program (RDI):

Houston based organisation headed by Drs S & R Gutstein. The primary goal of the RDI™ Program is to systematically teach the motivation for and skills of experience sharing interaction.

 

The Son-Rise Program

Method created by parents for parents and professionals. Teaches them to design and implement home-based/child-centred programs. Based on theory of joining the child in their world and gradually bringing them into yours.

 

The Autism Research Institute (ARI)

Biomedical focus. Maintains a databank of more than 35,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from 60 countries and runs on on-line treatment effectiveness survey. Research results and list of practitioners.

 

National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)

US organisation funds, promotes and accelerates biomedical research and science-based approaches that seek to determine the causes, prevention, effective treatments for and, ultimately, a cure for autism spectrum disorders.

 

The Society for Auditory Intervention Techniques (SAIT)

Contains information about auditory integration training (AIT) and other auditory-based interventions.

 

Assistive Technology (Visual Supports)

http://www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/autism/assist/asst10.htm

Article by autism consultant Susan Stokes,

 

http://www.angelfire.com/ky/touristinfo/index5.html

Summary by Janet Lawrence, mother of an autistic child

 

http://www.hotkey.net.au/%7Ebruced1/index.html

The Individualised Cueing System (ICS) is a streamlined system that enables students with ASD to view their day at a glance, and prepare themselves for upcoming subjects/specialist teachers.

 

http://www.usevisualstrategies.com

Site selling picture CD-ROM’s and books.

 

http://www.dotolearn.com/

See, do and learn on-line, activities to promote independence. Lots of free stuff: picture cards, emotion games, organisation ideas, safety songs etc

 

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ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTIONS

 
 

 

Understanding and Implementing a Gluten & Casein Free (GCFC) Diet

 

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

This diet was designed for patients with intestinal diseases, but has been "found" by parents of children with autism. Gluten free but some dairy products allowed.

 

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EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES

 
 

 

Autism Help

A comprehensive Australian site: detailed and specific strategies and other resources for working with children in childcare, playgroups, preschool, primary schools, senior schools and tertiary education. Also teaching techniques and strategies for swimming teaching

 

OASIS Links

See the Education section of the OASIS website for an excellent selection of articles, links and other resources. Two good articles on the site are:

  •  Understanding the Student with Asperger Syndrome: Guidelines for Teachers. Description of and programming suggestions for seven defining characteristics of Asperger Syndrome. By Karen Williams

  •  Tips for Teaching High Functioning People with Autism, by Susan Moreno and Carol O’Neal. Tips re difficulties Asperger children may face in the classroom in easy-to-understand language.

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FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS

 
 

 

http://www.thegraycenter.org/tips_for_teachers.htm

General tips for good teaching practice: be a team player, be flexible, be a good role model, continue to educate yourself, accentuate the positives. More inspiring than practical.

 

http://www.ricklavoie.com/gateindex.html

Information and inspiration for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities. Richard Lavoie’s videos should be required viewing for all teachers…"fairness" means that every student receives what he/she needs”.

 

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MOSTLY FOR PARENTS

 
 

 

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rbmitch/Asperger15.htm

Helping your son or daughter to manage at high school – shared experiences and strategies by Heather Lord. A comprehensive article relevant to all levels of the education system – a must read for parents.

 

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rbmitch/Asperger13.htm

Questions to consider asking when choosing a school for your son and daughter.

 

http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.asp?r=283&g=2

Talking with your Elementary School Child about Learning Difficulties. An article on the Schwab Learning website.

 

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  ADVOCACY  
 

 

Learning Disabilities Association of Canada

Tips to help parents in pursuing the best interests of their special needs children in the school system.

 

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4)

Aims to develop and promote appropriate national policy; influence relevant decisions; and monitor and report on outcomes.

 

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SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE

 

 

http://www.mugsy.org/wendy/index2.htm

Wendy Lawson, a mother of four, was originally diagnosed as being ‘intellectually disabled’, then, in her teens, as schizophrenic and finally, in 1994, as having an autistic spectrum disorder. Wendy’s youngest son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at the age of 12. A qualified social worker and adult educator, Wendy has the ability to provide amazing insight into how the autistic mind works, and this site has a wealth of information to that effect.

 

http://www.grandin.com/inc/visual.thinking.html

Dr Temple Grandin turned an obsession with livestock handling into an international business. An excerpt from her book “Thinking in Pictures”.

 

http://www.aspergerinformation.net/

An informative, sometimes angry and poignant insight by 26-year-old Suzie Shaw.

 

http://www.linktoaustin.com/as/page6.html

A mother’s plan for how to face your child's challenges and lead him to a lifetime of successes.

 

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TESTS

 

 

 

Australian Scale for Asperger Syndrome

[from Attwood, T, Asperger Syndrome, A Guide for Parents and Professionals, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd, London and Philadelphia, 1998.]

 

DSM-IV Criteria, Pervasive Development Disorders

 

The Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT)

A screening instrument which identifies children aged 18 months at risk for social-communication disorders.

 

Communication Milestones

Checklist for 0 to 5 years, outlining the ages that communication milestones (predominately speech) are normally reached. Also has a good summary of developmental stages for “play”.

 

Early Childhood Developmental Milestones

Understanding early childhood development – early identification.

 

The AQ Test

Psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at Cambridge's Autism Research Centre have created the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, or AQ, as a measure of the extent of autistic traits in adults. It was featured in the September 2001 issue of Wired magazine – this is a link to that article.

 

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