South Park - was Article: Your Child's Safety Line

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks! Dan Coulter's article gives GREAT advice for AS adults as well for

parents. I loved the Larson cartoon analogy too

Re. South Park: using my friend " Google, " I found many links for commentary on

what has apparently quickly become an even more controversial episode than their

usual controversial episodes.

CBS News link to the the episode

Asperger's syndrome in spotlight as South Park spoofs vaccine fears

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20116793-10391704.html

Gawker.com link with commentary and a clip from the episode.

South Park's Season Premiere: Ass Burgers for Some, Whiskey for All

http://gawker.com/vaccines/

- Helen

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> [OT: My daughter was watching South Park last night and I walked into her

room and she said I was going to call you but thought this would upset you and I

said, there have been many articles over this as they are taking pot shots at AS

and vaccines. It's satire. Did anyone see it? I walked out after a while as I

had other things to do and had already saeen some of the clips as it is all over

the internet. ]

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> YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY LINE

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> By Dan Coulter

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> There's a great Larson Far Side cartoon about optimists and

pessimists that shows four people, each separately looking at a glass with some

water in it.

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> The first person says, " The glass is half full! "

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> The second person says, " The glass is half empty. "

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> The third person says, " The glass is half full...No! Wait! Half

empty....No, half...What was the question?

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> The fourth person says, " Hey! I ordered a cheeseburger! "

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> Larson titled this cartoon, " The four basic personality types, " but I

sometimes think of the fourth responder as a guy with Asperger Syndrome. He's

got a completely different viewpoint that others may not understand or

appreciate.

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> And it can cause him no end of trouble.

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> I recently read about a Swedish study of people with Asperger Syndrome

published in the September 2011 issue of Research in Developmental Disabilities.

The study involved 54 willing adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger

Syndrome. Their average age was 27 and they were evenly split among males and

females.

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> Among the key findings: Seventy percent of the study participants had

experienced at least one episode of major depression, and about half had

recurring depression. Fifty-six percent met the criteria for at least one

anxiety disorder.

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> What's the connection between Asperger Syndrome and these problems?

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> I think it's mostly the cheeseburgers: unexpected, out of the norm

behaviors.

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> Parents know these behaviors can cause others to reject, ridicule or

ignore children with Asperger Syndrome. And routinely getting rejected,

ridiculed or ignored is enough to make almost anyone anxious or depressed. Of

course, there can be other causes for depression or anxiety. Parents should

seek professional help for a child who shows ongoing symptoms of either, but

there are things you can do that might prevent things from ever getting to that

stage.

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> They say the best defense is a good offense. So, if you want to try and

protect your children with Asperger Syndrome from negative feelings, I recommend

relentless optimism.

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> Act enthusiastic and positive when you're with your children. Don't

always feel positive? As a friend of mine recommended, " Fake it til you make

it! " Be a motivator. Not with false praise, but by focusing on your children's

strengths and praising even small successes. Praise is addictive.

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> I've seen enthusiastic, happy kids with Asperger Syndrome return home

from school hurt and frustrated after trying to fit in and getting rejected.

And it can be worse than you know. Your child may not be telling you all the

negative things that are happening at school. That's not uncommon.

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> Even without access to all the details, parents can help children cope by

making home a safe haven of encouragement and support. One key form of support

is teaching kids social skills that can help them when they're flying solo.

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> My parents had no clue I had Asperger Syndrome when I was growing up, but

they were always positive and encouraging. I always knew they believed in me.

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> Whether it's a parent, a teacher, or a friend, knowing that someone

believes in you can create a safety line that helps keep you from being dragged

into anxiety or depression.

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> Whoever else your child sees with a hand on his safety line, imagine how

powerful it will be for him to know you're always anchoring the other end.

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> ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dan Coulter is the author of ten DVDs about Asperger

Syndrome and autism, including " Asperger Syndrome for Dads. " You can read more

articles and offer comments on them at the article blog on his website:

www.coultervideo.com.

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> Copyright 2011 Dan Coulter Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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