Asperger Treatment Strategies

1. Eliminated ALL preservatives from my son's diet, which include: MSG, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite, Sulfites, BHT, Thiamine Mononitrate, Alum (or aluminum), Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oils, and High Fructose Corn Syrup.

2. When he became "stuck" in a Autistic-like behavior (hand-flapping, self stiming, or challenged by transitions, I learned that often he was slightly hungry and gave him a small snack of raw vegetables (a carrot, a slice of red bell pepper, etc.) and he "snapped" out of it.

3. I fed him small, healthy meals every three hours, never crackers (gluten), cookies(gluten), but stuffed grape leaves with lots of olive oil, Tofu "egg" aalad, hummus with corn tortilla chips (natural), raw almonds, and raw vegetables were among his favorites. These methods were helpful in asperger treatment strategies by way of my son's diet.

4. I put the toys or objects that he perseverated (obsessed) about in "time-out" when his self-stim behaviors came up and introduced a different toy or activity - then when he settled down, I presented him with the "time-out" toy and set the kitchen timer for five to ten minutes of playtime with this toy. When the buzzer rang "times up," he gradually accepted the transition without tantrums.

5. When my son was about two years of age, I created "Star Charts" - that began with two categories of goals for the week (i.e., successful transitioning (meaning no tantrums), and eye contact with me. For Asperger treatment strategies, after each occasion of success, I made a big deal about his accomplishment, gave him a huge hug and kiss, and then placed a sticker of one of his favorite objects on the star chart.

   We looked at the chart every evening and counted the stickers of success. Some days boxes on the chart were filled with stickers and other days were not so great. At the end of the week, he and I would sit down together and look at his star chart to decide on what would remain as a goal for the following week and what we could add or delete for the next week's goals.

   At the end of a week, if he had earned at least one sticker per day, I would then give him a small truck or train (any object of his affection). The consistency of this ritual in our day-to-day life helped to encourage him to make an effort to work on our mutually agreed upon goals. He enjoyed his successes. We did this for many years as part of Asperger treatment strategies.
   
   

6. I created a calm and tranquil space in our home for him to play in, which included soft music played constantly on the stereo.
   
   • He was surrounded by pillows and blankets of varying textures.
     
   • I maintained a tonal color scheme in this room.
     
   • I rotated available toys and presented only two or three at a time.
     
   • I provided plenty of natural light, opening all drapes and shutters.
     
   • I never used Fluorescent lighting.
     
   • I avoided using the dishwasher, vacuum, or any other noisy machines while he played because the noises seemed to upset his calm quite easily.

7. I spent most of my time with him every single day - I talked to and with him as if he "heard" and understood what I was saying.
   
   
   • I played with or beside him and would say "quiet hands" when he began hand flapping or "eyes" when he would not make eye contact with me.
   • I created these verbal "cues" to help him discreetly when we were out with the public.

These are only some of the Asperger treatment strategies that worked for us. Please contact me if you are having a challenge or want to pick my brain at our website - www.livingwithaspergers.com.

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