Autism and Time

My 6 year old son has autism.

He is struggling to get to grips with time. Not the telling of it. He can look at a clock and tell the time, but he finds it difficult to use or understand time concepts in conversation.

Well, I don't blame him, it's all a bit confusing. I use phrases like 'in a minute', or 'just give me a second', or 'I'll be two minutes', flippantly.

In my son's world, I lie. If I say we'll be leaving in two minutes, he sits on the stairs, coat on and ready and counts. Out loud. I feel like I'm on a frustrating game on countdown. I am trying to look at social situations with him, and explain what people mean isn't always what they say. He sometime feels very frustrated with me, because of the words I use, like I am playing a game and not abiding by the rules. If I say 2 minutes, I should mean it.

As well as trying to reassure him, and change my phraseology with him, I have also been trying out some games online and some apps on the iPhone / iPad (which he loves). I am always amazed at what you can find to help enhance your life and educate your children.

http://www.modelmekids.com/iphone-app-autism.html - uses apps which help my son look at social situations and different eventualities which occur, and models appropriate ways of how to deal with them.

'Something special' on cbeebies, ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/somethingspecial/games/somethingspecial-outandabout/ ) have games on their website which allow my son learn about facial expressions and their meanings... another concept he struggles with, as 'sometimes people smile when they are sad, or angry'. How confusing.

However, although reality is confusing for him, I do believe that these games and apps help him. Not only in explaining how things work & why they sometimes go wrong, but also they allow him to practice skills. The most important one at the moment being 'waiting'.

When the games are loading, he has to wait. this allows me to use the time as a practice for my own words too. Using phrases such as ' a bit later' or 'soon' or giving a visual aid like an egg timer or using the 'loading' bars which appear on the screen, is really helping my son with this concept.

As with all things in my life, If I do the work and change my own language, preparation and time management, life for my son becomes easier too; as our worlds begin to meet in the middle.

Here's the link to more information about why social situations and communicating is difficult for my son, and others like him. I hope it's inspiring for you. :) http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/communicating-and-interacting/social-skills/social-skills-in-young-children.aspx

Do you have similar experiences? Or do you have any knowledge of apps or games that would help us more with the issue of time???

A phone is for life, not just for Christmas! (Does your child have a mobile phone)??

It has finally happened. My daughter has asked for a mobile phone. She is 7.

The usual, expected stories have come out - "everyone else has one, her best friend is getting one from Santa, she can use it for music as well as calls.... the list she has formulated to her advantage is substantial.

And to some extent - I want to give her a phone. I would feel better knowing she could contact me whenever she wants. That I could come charging to her rescue! However, the reality is, I always know where she is! She is SEVEN! She's at home with me, at school or at her Grandparents or her Dad's house. They all have phones. She can use them to call me whenever she likes, and she does! :)

I came to thinking that actually, her request probably only seems scary to me because I'm still of the thinking that mobile phones are a new invention!!! (I still believe I'm 18 in my head). Whereas the reality is, that phones are the norm. Everyone has one!!! I couldn't do without mine. Not only is it my phone, it's my diary, my reminders, my alarm clock, my compass, my GPR, my MP3, my social networking service, my texting service, my email checker, my twittering tool, my camera AND my period tracker!!!!! As a result, if you are anything like me, phones are indispensable! My daughter knows this. She has seen this. My daughter has grown up watching mummy with her phone, most of the time. Isn't is therefore, natural that she should ask for one for Christmas? So, i begin my parental list of pro's and cons....

Benefits?

* I know where she is, she has constant access to me. She fit in with peers. She can text and call her friends, Dad, grandparents, me.

* If she gets into trouble, feels lonely, needs help, money or a lift in the car, she can call.

*She can use it for educational purposes, she can have apps that help her with school work, take photos, scan QR tags, google and research on the spot, wherever she is.

Negatives?

* She'll use it everywhere, at school, at home, out. It will distract her from 'important' things, like homework.

* It is expensive. Although, getting much cheaper all the time.

* Will texting effect her grammar and spelling? Will she disappear into an invisible social world and not actually see anyone.

* She will call me for lifts, money, sweets. She may not develop independence as much as if she has to fend for herself, risk and work out problems on her own without reaching straight for the phone first.

*and lastly - the Internet. It brings up so so so so many safety issues for my little girl. I want her to have a childhood on the beach, in the mud, tangible with friends who we see and laugh with in person, not just online. I don't want to lose her to texts, social networks and browsing just yet. I do not feel ready to give her full, un-censored Internet access, when she is 7, vulnerable, and impressionable.

So, I guess I have to make a decision as to what to do, because Christmas is just around the corner. Am I being overprotective by not giving her a phone? Am I safeguarding her? Am I stifling her natural inquisitiveness to want to use mobile Internet as a tool for learning and socialising? She's growing up in a technology-rich world, naturally wanting to engage with it.... should I empower her or harness the desire?

So, any parents or peers with any thoughts?? Help! Does your child have a mobile / cell phone?!

Children, iPads and a bit of autism thrown in for good measure!

How is it that both my children (aged 6 & 7) are totally skilled at using my iPhone, iPad digital camera and numerous other pieces of technology in the home?

The ease of access Apple have so skilfully designed, and the logical approach to an iPad / iPhone seem particularly relevant to my autistic son who swipes and zooms and records and takes photos and navigates with ease around technology that still seems futuristic to me!

Mainly I use these tools with my son as a distraction technique; whilst waiting or to sooth anxiety or when my son needs to 'zone out' for a bit. However watching the speed and precision in which he picks up the knowledge needed to utilise the devices, I am wondering how to best cultivate his natural enthusiasm to give impact upon his educational potential??

I was wondering if other parents / educators with autistic children find the iPads / iPhones a particularly useful tool for their children's learning?

And are all young children naturally taking to these devices like ducks to water?

ps. Here's a video - some of which echoes my smile at my sons joy of technology. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31yEs9itueE&feature=related