Autism is a "Spectrum Disorder..."
There are certain characteristics which lead to a diagnosis of Autism or Asperger Syndrome. These include deviations, delays, or disabilities in these areas: - Social Relatedness - Language and Communication - Restricted interests/routines/imagination/behaviors - Possibly sensory integration difficulties |
Each person is a unique individual...
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Click here for more resources on Autism and Asperger Syndrome
FROM LAUREL HOEKMAN, CFLE and President of SOCIAL INCITES, LLC:
My first exposure to autism was a research paper I wrote while in 8th grade. At the time, our understanding of autism was limited to the most severe cases. I remember reading about people with a low IQ, limited ability to communicate verbally, and seemingly no interest in interacting with other people. I was fascinated, and determined that I would someday do what I could to help.
After college, I taught first grade, but found that I still had a heart for children who were struggling to succeed in the classroom. I began taking a variety of classes, covering topics such as remedial reading, early childhood education, and special education.
For over 28 years, I have been working with individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome, and their families (parents, grandparents, and siblings), teachers, therapists, child-care providers, and employers. I continue to be fascinated by the functioning of the "autistic brain," and inspired by the countless people who, in spite of the difficulties they face, continue to offer so much to our world today.
I use the "caricatures" above to illustrate that the diagnostic criteria are an "oversimplification" and "over-generalization" of a person with this diagnosis. However, the diagnosis can be a great starting point to help the individual and his or her family, teachers, friends, colleagues, and employers better understand how they perceive and interact with the world, and which strategies may be helpful to enhance success.
Current statistics indicate that one in 54 children are being diagnosed with autism (according to the Centers for Disease Control, 2020). This means that every one of us is likely interacting at one time or another with a person with autism. They are an important part of our community, and it's important that every one of us is equipped with tools for interacting successfully with people with these language/communication and social differences.
I am available to give presentations about autism, as well as other topics.
More detailed information about autism can be found in the resources which I have written and published (see our RESOURCES page):
Access other resources by Laurel Hoekman:
NOTE: You can access a few pdf documents by Laurel Hoekman (including the Social Response Pyramid KIT, electronic contracts, and the growth chart) by clicking here.
More resources, including books, DVDs, and fidgets, can be found on the following pages:
Our Coaching/Consulting can help answer your questions about Autism/Asperger Syndrome, and develop helpful strategies for optimizing your success!
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