"Tempo de Pais"
APSA offers to parents/family/friends in a free event named “Tempo de Pais” (Parents' time) that aims to help them deal with day-to-day issues of a person with Asperger's Syndrome.
Piedade Líbano Monteiro, mother of the 23 years old Nuno, who has AS, and President of APSA, will streamline this event.
Piedade is available to speak to the parents/friends/family members/teachers/all people who want to ask some questions, on the phone or in person in Casa Grande in Lisbon on Mondays from 2:30 to 4:30, under pre-booking for 21 711 91 00.
Simultaneously, on APSA website, we will publish texts that aim to support parents who are distant and often write to us asking how to deal with these practical issues.
So, your child has AS. What now?
Is not a tragedy if your child is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Many times, is a relief because it's better to know what is going on.
Be positive and embrace this challenge!
- There is no cure nor an instructions manual; this is a path that we will have to do together;
- Every person with AS is unique and is that individuality that we want to embrace and adjust but respect;
- Ask the advice of your child's doctor, choose a team that can beneficially assist your child.
- Set a strong partnership with the group of technicians and teachers of your child so you can all work together for the same goal, always communicating with each other;
- Set achievable goals, learn to manage the expectations, set priorities;
- Start with your child skills and interests and work from there;
- Structure in a routine manner, tasks and activities clear and objective with very visual clues, like a scheme;
- Be creative, flexible and affectionate, but firm in the implementation of rules ensuring that your child fulfils them;
- Praise and value the effort of the correct use of social skills, strengthen positive behaviour;
- When something goes wrong, stop, sit with the child and rewind, explaining what went wrong and what is the form correct to act;
- Learn to understand the signs of stress and, if possible, correct them and draw attention to another subject or activity;
- Facilitate autonomy habits, teach appropriate procedures in situations in public and private spaces;
- Suggest interaction activities involving games, everyday tasks, responsibility in the school community and the child can even ask for support from colleagues,
- Highlight and always value the capacities and not so much the difficulties because these are common to all of us. Some of us have the "innate tools" that allow us to overcome them without problems but for others, this is a challenge. We walk with them!
Remember that you are not alone. APSA is here for you!
We have a child with Asperger Syndrome (AS). What now?
It’s not the end of the world!
Here are some tips that may help to re-organise:
- The first step is to give attention to your child development, if something seems wrong do not hesitate to ask for help;
- Take the child to a development consultation;
- If your child has AS, accept it and believe that educating these children is a challenge with which you will know how to deal;
- Trust the health professionals that diagnosed your child;
- Ask questions but focus on trying to understand what is happening and how best to communicate with your child;
- Listen to the health professionals, listen to your child's educator, stay open and attentive because early intervention is crucial for the future development of your child;
- Ask family and friends for help, do not isolate yourselves, remember that everyone is essential for the full integration of your child;
- In this context learn to trust and even to delegate;
- Share the difficulties and joys and the plan of your child's intervention with those around him, so educating can be easy for everyone.
- Engage in the entire educational process of your child positively and proactively, as a real partner;
- Communicate in a healthy, assertive, confident and serene way, do not be angry with the world;
- Manage your time and expectations;
- Do not accentuate the difference by creating extraordinary situations for everything, do not exaggerate;
-Remember to share with others your experiences, and pay attention to the inverse;
-Believe that you have an association that welcomes you practically and positively and wants to walk with you. We have over 13 years of experience and more than 300 parents who passed through and are going through the same as you.
-Lastly, always enjoy your child and all that he/she, in his way, can teach you, and he/she have a lot, believe it!
Piedade Líbano Monteiro – Mother of the 23 years old Nuno, who has AS, and President of APSA
