Well some time has passed since I have used this.
I
set this up for parents to socialise, and share valuable resources that
they find. It takes so much time it seems to find things that could
help at home or school so I thought if we all put them on here it could
be a great time saver. Some things will not be relevant at all, but some
will.
Then at some point a site on Facebook was created for that. On recomendation from one of the professionals that work in the field of ASD that has now been changed to accomodate ASD in general and not just aspergers.
You can find it https://www.facebook.com/groups/419425051410758/ by copying and pasting that address or by finding the ASD Friendly Group Nelson NZ. You may have to find me or one of the other members to sign you in. I am on there as Joanna Giles in Nelson.
Since that time, my
son has turned 6, been at school a year, had an extra diagnosis of ADHD
as well as ASD (aspergers) and our need for resources remains constant and changes all the time. Now I am learning about ADHD.
So come and join us, the vision was for people struggling to socialise because of the very nature of ASD, or like my poor lil man who tends to get very sick alot, there is somewhere to have some support from other parents who "get it", to share resources, specifically within Nelson and for adults who have ASD.
I hope all is well with you and your journey of ASD.
Cheers JO
Monday 20 August 2012
Tuesday 22 November 2011
The struggles of educating about ASD and Aspergers
I dont know if anyone saw this article in The Nelson Mail on Monday.
The companies and people out there educating us really do have a tough job and like many are always understaffed and funded.
What I thought was very interesting in this article to though was the mention of how ASD/Aspergers can be 'the invisible disability' and the struggle some parents have with that, ie: people, families or friends not believing their child's diagnosis!
ARTICLE FROM NELSON MAIL http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/6005000/Need-for-autism-support-grows
Also just how stressful it can be, because of that. The article mentioned that Autism NZ could suggest places for counselling and support to help with the stress and grief that many are faced with.
I think putting support networks around yourself is so important. I know for myself I have now met alot of other parents with children with ASD/Aspergers and it makes the world of difference to be able to talk to someone who gets it. I dont have to explain myself, they just get it straight away. This is what I wanted to achieve through this medium, we have a support group for aspergers on facebook also and now have a few members who meet for a 'casual' coffee from time to time. We dont have agendas we just hang out and talk as parents, except for us the topic is different. But it feels so validating and supportive to talk to those who 'get it' and understand exactly what your going through.
I hope everyone is well and supported! If not please get in contact with us or any of the other agencies who have coffee groups etc going and start to meet some people who 'get it', it truly is so rewarding.
Cheers and take care Jo :>
The companies and people out there educating us really do have a tough job and like many are always understaffed and funded.
What I thought was very interesting in this article to though was the mention of how ASD/Aspergers can be 'the invisible disability' and the struggle some parents have with that, ie: people, families or friends not believing their child's diagnosis!
ARTICLE FROM NELSON MAIL http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/6005000/Need-for-autism-support-grows
Also just how stressful it can be, because of that. The article mentioned that Autism NZ could suggest places for counselling and support to help with the stress and grief that many are faced with.
I think putting support networks around yourself is so important. I know for myself I have now met alot of other parents with children with ASD/Aspergers and it makes the world of difference to be able to talk to someone who gets it. I dont have to explain myself, they just get it straight away. This is what I wanted to achieve through this medium, we have a support group for aspergers on facebook also and now have a few members who meet for a 'casual' coffee from time to time. We dont have agendas we just hang out and talk as parents, except for us the topic is different. But it feels so validating and supportive to talk to those who 'get it' and understand exactly what your going through.
I hope everyone is well and supported! If not please get in contact with us or any of the other agencies who have coffee groups etc going and start to meet some people who 'get it', it truly is so rewarding.
Cheers and take care Jo :>
Friday 16 September 2011
Autism Superstars and Awesome-tism
A friend from the Aspergers Support Group we have on facebook suggested this programme to watch. Its great check it out.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sf359
I love this, as dont even get me wrong, there are alot of challenges to overcome as parents and that can be overwhelming. But I dont want to live there. Personally I want to build on the amazing talents that my son does have!!! While we are integrating into a mainstream school, sometimes it baffles me that he is the one with special needs, being that really put under a microscope, all he doesnt get is social stuff and he has sensory issues that lead to meltdowns. Apart from that he has an amazing memory that I would pay money to have, learns so quickly and his understanding astounds me, but yes there are a few superficial things he is more challenged with.
You might be reading this and going, what, but what about the challenges - oh I get it about the challenges, I really do, I guess Im saying bridge the challenges by building up the negatives and build on the positives I say!!
My friend Jamie calls it Awesome-tism, as in he is all for focusing on the amazing things that children with ASD CAN DO and not all the things they CANT! Yes Jamie you made it onto my blog :>
Children with ASD have amazing talents, memory, skills, and focused areas of interest, lets build on it and go with from strength to strength, as parents we can bridge the gap of the negatives with home/school support!! and then still give them alot of happiness and contentment from their strengths, regardless of the severity.
Cheers JO :>
I love this, as dont even get me wrong, there are alot of challenges to overcome as parents and that can be overwhelming. But I dont want to live there. Personally I want to build on the amazing talents that my son does have!!! While we are integrating into a mainstream school, sometimes it baffles me that he is the one with special needs, being that really put under a microscope, all he doesnt get is social stuff and he has sensory issues that lead to meltdowns. Apart from that he has an amazing memory that I would pay money to have, learns so quickly and his understanding astounds me, but yes there are a few superficial things he is more challenged with.
You might be reading this and going, what, but what about the challenges - oh I get it about the challenges, I really do, I guess Im saying bridge the challenges by building up the negatives and build on the positives I say!!
My friend Jamie calls it Awesome-tism, as in he is all for focusing on the amazing things that children with ASD CAN DO and not all the things they CANT! Yes Jamie you made it onto my blog :>
Children with ASD have amazing talents, memory, skills, and focused areas of interest, lets build on it and go with from strength to strength, as parents we can bridge the gap of the negatives with home/school support!! and then still give them alot of happiness and contentment from their strengths, regardless of the severity.
Cheers JO :>
Wednesday 14 September 2011
TIPS For Autism
Just finished doing this course today (3 days).
Was a great course, education on ASD framed and tailor made for your child.
Kudos to the teachers, senco's, principals, teams and parents there as it is alot to give up 3 days to be there!
I learnt alot, gained alot and feel it gave amazing insight into Cayden and direct resources to be used at school now and into the future. I think this will strengthen his school journey even further.
http://www.inclusive.org.nz/tips
Also great to see 'The Guards' there, and I LOVE the idea about a 'Dads' support group, that is awesome.
Was a great course, education on ASD framed and tailor made for your child.
Kudos to the teachers, senco's, principals, teams and parents there as it is alot to give up 3 days to be there!
I learnt alot, gained alot and feel it gave amazing insight into Cayden and direct resources to be used at school now and into the future. I think this will strengthen his school journey even further.
http://www.inclusive.org.nz/tips
Also great to see 'The Guards' there, and I LOVE the idea about a 'Dads' support group, that is awesome.
Thursday 1 September 2011
Facebook Aspergers Support Group
This is another page that Joelene and I thought might be cool to have set up for people:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/142762729137958/
Pop in and say hello and/or add yourself. We had a coffee meet up today, just casual, relaxed support for parents of children with Aspergers.
Cheers Jo :>
https://www.facebook.com/groups/142762729137958/
Pop in and say hello and/or add yourself. We had a coffee meet up today, just casual, relaxed support for parents of children with Aspergers.
Cheers Jo :>
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Parent to Parent AGM at the Beachcomber tonight
Anyone going to the Parent to Parent AGM at the Beachcomber tonight 6:30pm. They have a couple of guest speakers, oh and drinks and nibbles!
Let me know and Ill meet cha there. Should be good to meet up with some more people and listen to the guest speakers.
Cheers JO
Let me know and Ill meet cha there. Should be good to meet up with some more people and listen to the guest speakers.
Cheers JO
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Spectrum
Hi guys
I have a link to a free and very cool book called Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Spectrum. Fill out your details and get your book.
http://www.ihc.org.nz/GetInformation/FreeBook/tabid/1762/Default.aspx
Hope all is well with everyone. Were good, enjoying this sunshine! and enjoying Cayden really settling in well at school now, Im over the moon to see him so happy. It was a doubtful start but with alot of persistence, information sharing and building a good relationship with the teachers and team at school, I feel he is now being understood and challenged all in the correct doses. Phew. Good work lil man too as he is such an amazing kid giving all these new things a go!!!
Jo :>
I have a link to a free and very cool book called Playing, Laughing and Learning with Children on the Spectrum. Fill out your details and get your book.
http://www.ihc.org.nz/GetInformation/FreeBook/tabid/1762/Default.aspx
Hope all is well with everyone. Were good, enjoying this sunshine! and enjoying Cayden really settling in well at school now, Im over the moon to see him so happy. It was a doubtful start but with alot of persistence, information sharing and building a good relationship with the teachers and team at school, I feel he is now being understood and challenged all in the correct doses. Phew. Good work lil man too as he is such an amazing kid giving all these new things a go!!!
Jo :>
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