Strenghts and Weaknesses of Individual with Autism

Strengths Exhibited by Individuals with Autism

Although some areas of development in a child with autism are delayed, children with (Autism Spectrum Disorder) ASD often exhibit skills beyond their years in other areas. These intellectual strengths may overshadow the developmental problem experienced by your child. These strengths may include one or more of the following:

•Non-verbal reasoning skills
•Reading skills
•Perceptual motor skills
•Drawing skills
•Computer interest and skills
•Exceptional memory
•Visual Spatial abilities
•Music skills

Weaknesses Exhibited by Individuals with Autism
The above exceptional skills may be combined with subtle or significant delays in other areas of development. All individuals with the diagnosis demonstrate some of the following:

•Impairment in Social relationships
•Deficits in communication/Language
•Perseveration on interests and activities
•Dependence on routine
•Abnormal responses to sensory stimulation
•Behaviour problems
•Variability of intellectual functioning
•Uneven development profile
•Difficulties in sleeping, toileting and eating
•Immune irregularities
•Nutritional deficiencies
•Gastrointestinal problems

Teaching Rigid Children with Autism to be Flexible

Just recently, the Occupational Therapist of my daughter told me that my daughter is rigid and tends to do things according to plan and what was set in her mind. And what the teacher had told me about my daughter was observed to be true. I let her use my computer, open the internet, play Dora the Explorer games and create facebook.com games. The day ends with no problem as she just follows my instructions. But before she went to bed, she asked me if she can still play when she wake up. She wasn’t just asking but she’s getting an assurance from me that she can play again using my computer.

The next morning, she was the first one to get up. She woke me up and asking if she can play the computer. I intended not to follow her plans. And yes, I got what I expected. She cried and did not follow all my instructions anymore. The worst is she’s trying to reverse all the rules. Had this simple weekend rule when she wakes up: 1. It’s OK to watch TV; 2. Take a bath; 3. Eating and grooming 4. Writing and Reading and so on and so forth and without doing all of those she will not be able to play the computer as we only let her play the computer when she completed all the rules. Playing the computer is only a reward if she’ll be doing all the rules. But, for her, at this moment, all in her mind is playing the computer. She even made her own rules saying “NO” in every rules mentioned.

According to an article I read, rigidity in both behavior and thinking is a major characteristic of people with autism/AS. They have difficulty understanding the concept that sometimes it is OK to break a rule.

I heard about a case where an autistic boy had a severe injury but he did not leave the school bus stop to get help. He had been taught to stay at the bus stop so that he would not miss the bus; he could not break that rule. Common sense would have told most people that getting help for a severe injury would be more important than missing the bus but not to this young man.

How can common sense be taught? I think it starts with teaching flexibility at a young age. Structure is good for children with autism, but sometimes plans can, and need to be, changed.
Another way to teach flexibility of thinking is to use visual metaphors, such as mixing paint. To understand complex situations, such as when occasionally a good friend does something nasty, I imagine mixing white and black paint.

Flexibility can also be taught by showing the person with autism that categories can change. Objects can be sorted by color, function or material.

Children do need to be taught that some rules apply everywhere and should not be broken. To teach an autistic child to not run across the street, he has to be taught the rule in many different places; the rule has to be generalized and part of that process is making sure the child understands that the rule should not be broken. However, there are times when an absolute adherence to the rule can cause harm. Children also need to be taught that some rules can change depending on the situation. Emergencies are one such category where rules may be allowed to be broken.

Parents, teachers and therapists can continually teach and reinforce flexible thinking patterns in children with autism/AS. I hope I have provided some ideas on how to do this while still accommodating the visual manner in which they think. This is to make them independent when they grow up.

Xai-xai's Two Day Holiday and Nutrition Month Photos

The Preparation

This afternoon, I met with Dr. Agustin Miguel Morales. Dr. Morales is a doctor of orthopaedics and specializes spine surgery. He will be the one who will perform the surgery on my lumbar.

He explained the extent of my injury. He also mentioned that my spine is quite smaller than the normal size and it's genetal. He presented me two different procedures and explained its advantages over the other. The spine also is built to be the strongest composition of our body. So, if your spine could be broken, it is really cause by a huge impact.

First procedure, if I'm not mistaken is a lumbar laminectomy. The process will only take an hour and I can go home right away after the operation. It will only remove the disk to free up the pinched nerve. The advantage there are the process will only be in one hour, lesser cost and maybe, you can go to work after a week. The disadvantage there is the pain may go back after a while and may repeat the operation. It will go back because it will only remove disc that acted as the joint to make the spine flexible. Getting the disc also elimanate the space between the bones and may cost you pain because you don't have the shock absorber which is one of the functions of the disc.

Second option the is the spine fusion. The 3D animation shown by Dr. Morales to me gave the detail information on what are going to be done. The process will remove the extended disc to free up the pinched nerve. There is also a "ceramic" that will be put and the two bone will be "condemned". The ceramic replaces the disc. The term condemned means connecting the bone with a metal and a screw on it and will act only as one. With this, there maybe a slight changes in your flexibility but not that obvious because of the number of bones that our spine has. The advantage here is it will reconstruct the damage portion of your lumbar. The process cost is a lot higher than the first option. The operatin also will take 4-5 hours. The healing process will also take for about 3 weeks or more.

After the discussion, I already have decided what option to take (just in my mine). But, I still have to call him on August 20 for my decision. We had initially set a date which is August 25.

I am asking your favor here to please pray for me. That there will be no complications and that the operation will be successful. I know this could change my lifestyle but I have to live with it as this already had happned and have to be careful that only for my lumbar but for my health as well.

Please. Please pray for me, thank you and God Bless you all!!!

When You Say Complete, Does It Mean Everything?

When you are waiting for years just to be with someone you love.
When you are fighting all the odds that's coming your way through the years.
When you are dreaming that someday you can spend the most precious moments of your life with her.
When sometimes you almost give up but realize and stand up to fight.
When sometimes time is not in favor but still go for it.

And when the fruit of all your labor, hardwork and prayers realized.
You can say, my life is complete.
And you celebrate.
Filling up the time you missed.
Coping up the missing moments that is supposed to be shared.

Questions raised.
Raised by another person you also love the same.
I was just needed but not loved?
There for comfort but not for keeps?
Needed because you were lonely?
and now that you not, it's okey for me to go?

You stop, think and ponder.
That saying complete.
Does it mean everything?

When The One You Love Makes You Feel Proud

Last July 29 while I was talking with Xai-Xai and asking her what she had done in school, my sister gave me a letter from the school administrator requesting us parents to come with our children at the Waterfront Hotel the following morning. The reason was because the scheduled visit of Sarah Geronimo was changed and have to be in one of the function rooms of the Waterfront Hotel. Even with the busy schedule with our ongoing ISO certification audit, I have to inform the office and take the leave.


With the update, I'm kind of excited because the school asked Xai-Xai to sing "You Changed My Life In A Moment". I felt so proud that of all the students, it was Xai-Xai who was selected to sing the song. I was also wondering what would be if Xai-Xai have her usual tantrums. Will she be able to impress the audience or nothing will happen.

The following morning, we went to the school early then to Waterfront together with selected students with their parents, guardians and teachers. There, I learned that there was no preparation made for the event. I was just informed that the event was organized by an NGO who's primary objective is to help special children and children with cancer.

After a few hours of waiting, they decided to let Xai-Xai sing to entertain the crowd of already uneasy children. Xai-xai did her job well. She made her daddy so proud. I cannot figure out how happy I am that time. She made me even more proud of being her father. Especially hearing their applause and seeing their smile while watching her perform.

If I could turn back time and will have the option to choose who my daughter will be, I will still select Xai-xai no matter what. For she not only gives me smile but also let me feel the value of hardwork, the value of being a father and most of all the value and meaning of life.

Day Two Round-Up - Philippines’ triumph sparks Day 2

Day Two Round-Up - Philippines’ triumph sparks Day 2
TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Philippines scored a psychologically important 78-69 triumph over Japan, in Group A, as the curtains came down on the second day of the 25th FIBA Asia Championship on Friday.

Philippines thus joined Jordan, Korea, Iran, Qatar and hosts China as the teams to win both their games so far as the picture on the eight-final round began to form.

Philippines now take on Korea – who began the day whipping Sri Lanka 122-54 – on Saturday in a clash which will decide the Group A toppers.

Japan and Sri Lanka have lost both their games, will play each other to decide the third team to qualify from this Group.

In Group B action, Iran looked far better than their opening game while beating Uzbekistan 82-61 and Chinese Taipei outpaced Kuwait to win 73-51.

Iran, thus have won both their games, while Chinese Taipei and Kuwait are 1-1. Uzbekistan are yet to win a game.

In Group C, Hosts China gave a lot to the crowd to cheer in their 74-56 win against last edition’s semifinalists Kazakhstan and Qatar emerged a runaway 95-70 victors over India.

China and Qatar – both win two wins apiece – will face off to decide the top team in Group C on Saturday, while Kazakhstan will play India looking for their first win.

In Group D, Jordan took Indonesia in their stride with a 105-47 result and Lebanon, inspired by Fadi El Khatib’s return to form defeated United Arab Emirates 108-38.

Unbeaten Jordan take on UAE – with one win and one loss – on the morrow with the winless Indonesia playing Lebanon.

Group A

“This is a huge win for us… to beat Japan is really tremendous,” beamed Philippines coach Joseller Guiao after his team’s win.

Gunther Thoss sparked the Filipino rally scoring 11 of his 15 points for the game in the second half.

Pauliasi Taulava scored all his 11 points in the second half – nine of them in the final quarter – to strengthen Thoss’ efforts.

Having trailed Japan for most of the game, Philippines took charge of the proceedings after Cyrus Baguio drove in the lane to convert towards the end of the third quarter and never looked back.

Japan withered as Philippines flourished.

Daiji Yamada led the Japanese scoring with 16 points and Kosuke Takeuchi had 14.

Korean centre Ha Seung-jin continued to scare the opponents with his 213-cm presence, and returned a 4/5 record in field attempts for his 13 points.

Lee Kyu Sup top scored the game with 28 points and Bang Sung-Yoon had 24.

Yasarathne De Silva was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka with his 14 points.

Group B

Mahdi Kamrani was the hero in Iran’s second successive win.

Kamrani, who had only four points to show in the opening game win over Chinese Taipei, had a field day with a 63.6% record on the field (7/11) including converting two of his three three-pointer attempts.

Adding value to the Mahram player’s contribution was the two assists and the six steals.

Samad Nikkah was as consistent as ever and had 18 points.

Vyacheslav Denisov was the highest scorer for Uzbekistan with 13 points.

Chinese Taipei had no trouble whatsoever against Kuwait.

A 13-0 run midway through the first quarter perching them firmly ahead, the East Asian nation emerged runaway winners.

Yang Chin-Min led the Taipei charge with his game-high 24 points.

Chang Chi-Feng and Lee Hsueh-Lin chipped in with 11 points each.

Mohammad Ashkanani was their leading scorer with 13 points.

Group C

China and Qatar won without much ado to set up a Saturday clash which will decide the Group toppers.

China opened up the game against Kazakhstan midway through the first half with a 20-4 run and hung on to that advantage.

Current NBA player Yi Jianlian and China’s first ever NBA player Wang Zhi Zhi shared the scoring honours for the game with 17 points apiece.

Wang Zhi Zhi also collected a game-high 14 rebounds. Wang Shipeng converted three of his six three-pointer attempts to return 15 points.

Anton Ponomarev led the scoring for Kazakhstan with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Rustam Yargaliyew had 14 points and junior star Alexander Tyutyunik converted three of his five three-pointer attempts for his 11 points.

India did well to keep pace with Qatar till midway through the first quarter, but could not sustain themselves when the GCC champions pressed the gas.

Daoud Mousa led the Qatari charge with 20 points and Saad Ali contributed 18.

Talwinderjit Singh led India’s scoring with 17 points.

Group D

Both Lebanon and Jordan carried the hangover of their overnight game into Friday’s games too.

Jordan, rested most of their starters for most of the game and yet proved far ahead than Indonesia.

Jordan coach Mario Palma Palma gave his bench all the feel of the court – using his starters only to give the bench a breather – after taking a 21-17 lead to end the first quarter.

Islam Abbas made the best use of the opportunity of the extended time on court with a game-high 22 points.

Mohammad Hadrab had a 7/11 record on the field and finished with 16 points.

No Indonesian player scored in double-digits.

Spearhead Fadi El Khatib and Jackson Vroman struck in unison as Lebanon regained their winning touch.

Fadi and Vroman shared the scoring honours for the game with 19 points apiece.

Fadi returned a 67% scoring record in the field (8/12), including converting one of his two three-pointer attempts.

Vroman, naturalized recently by Lebanon, had an 8/9 field record and pulled down a game-high seven rebounds – five in defence.

Matt Freije, like Vroman a 2004 NBA draftee, also collected seven rebounds and accounted for 15 points.

Talal Alnuaimi was the highest scorer for UAE with 13 points.

Source:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/fibaEven/fibaAsiaCham/p/newsid/31488/arti.html