ISSUE 19

Spring 2013

We had an excuse to get permission from Lucas Films to use a photograph of Harrison Ford, which graced our Indiana Jones-style feature, titled The Search for the Holy Grail. In the early days after diagnosis, it feels like someone has all the answers about autism, you just don’t know it yet. We talk you through the frustrating business of working out where to begin to help your child.

By now AuKids’ reputation had grown sufficiently to attract some big names to the publication, including world renowned speech and language pathologist Heather MacKenzie. The editors had attended her SPARK training programme, which aims to teach autistic kids resilience and self-regulation and we felt it awesome enough to share. Co-editor Debby also jumped through some hoops to get a specialist Will and Trust scheme made, so that we could show readers what to expect.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Wills and Trusts expert for this Issue, Christine Thornley, has since moved to Irwin Mitchell and can now be contacted at the company on: 0370 1500 100 Extension: 2593
www.IrwinMitchell.com - see more with this article

Keywords Issue 19: Self-harm; biting; after diagnosis; Wills and Trusts; Irwin Mitchell; SPARK; Dr Heather MacKenzie; executive functioning.

Issue 18

Winter 2013

The most adorable cover of Jude and his dog Claude was the prequel to a double page feature, Puppy Love, featuring case studies from Dogs for the Disabled, focusing on the benefits that autistic children have experienced by having a pet dog.

The AuKids editors had recently been bowled over by Dr Luke Beardon’s myth busting talk at a conference, and so we were delighted when he allowed us to reproduce his down to earth, funny, whirlwind tour through the rubbish that’s spouted about autism. He joined us again on the expert panel for our regular slot – this time a reader asked for advice on her son’s repetitive questioning. There’s also a rave review in Speaker of the Year 2012 – voted by the AuKids team as Jennifer Cook O’Toole.

Keywords Issue 18: Jennifer Cook O’ Toole; pet therapy; dogs; myth busting; Luke Beardon; repetitive questions; repetition.

Issue 17

Autumn 2012

Includes a double page spread on the best apps for autism (‘Apps-olutely fabulous?’). We look at different types of app and how they can help with different skills before rounding up the best apps under each kind of category.

We loved compiling The View From Mars, in which we interviewed four dads of kids with autism. We rounded off with a popular feature – Saying No Without the Volcano. This focuses on setting boundaries without experiencing meltdowns.

Child psychologist Tanya Buryon, author Liz Hannah and international speaker Brenda Smith Myles all contribute to the melting pot of great ideas and there’s a helpful further reading list for parents whose kids struggle with controlling their temper.

Keywords Issue 17: Car; driving; seatbelt; safety; Apps; Dads; meltdowns

Issue 16

Summer 2012

Absolutely nothing on the Olympics! our covers boasts, partly because everything else you looked at during this summer was about London 2012. We had another worldly challenge on our hands – making the world a more autism friendly place. Inside, in Who Wants to Push the First Domino? We talk about how you – yes you! – can make the world more autism friendly. Enough wishing, we thought, let’s each do our own bit.

We invented (with graphic designer Jo’s help) this nice little chap called Mr Dom-in-the-Know. He shared a guide to autism friendly outings for you and your family and - drumroll – and a tear-off guide to share with public places on how to make their environment more autism friendly. Okay so you don’t get the fun of perforations online.

Also…

Looking After the Unsung Heroes (that’d be you, then): Helping parents of special needs children to look after themselves.

Five Step Guide to Making A Passport For Your Child: The ‘passport’ is a quick guide to show other carers, which stops you endlessly repeating yourself and getting bored

Ask the Experts on clothing sensitivity: My child gets really irritated by his clothes and dressing him is a real trial. Why is this and what can I do?

Keywords Issue 16: Self-care; carers; autism-friendly guidance; Passport; portfolio; clothing sensitivity.

Issue 15

Spring 2012

This issue we spoke to sleep counsellor Chris Hoyle of the Together Trust, who took us through a detailed and down to earth explanation of why sleep can be a problem with autistic kids. More importantly, she had some easy ideas on what to do about it. An absolute must read for anyone whose child wakes up in the night! Our colourful Maps of the Social World feature explains all about Social Stories, what they are, how to write one and when to use them.

Ask the Experts:  Smearing - My little girl makes a mess with her poo and gets it on the walls. I am too embarrassed about it to seek help. Is this a common problem with autism?

Keywords Issue 15: support workers; poo; smearing; sleep; Social Stories.

Issue 14

Winter 2012

Tori is immersed in autism in her professional life, and Debby through her personal life. Often we chat over coffee about every day challenges facing parents– and this prevents AuKids from looking like something written in an ivory tower. Time and again we’d talk about the importance of staying calm. No matter how good your intervention strategies are, if you can’t stay calm then it’s all gone to waste. We thought it so important that we focused on it for our first four-page special in our ‘calm’ feature.

Visual support and autism: Why is visual support important? What do we mean by it and how does it work?

How to Keep Your Head…(when all around are losing theirs): Incorporating top tips on keeping calm from a life coach and an airline pilot, plus some pointers from The House of Tiny Tearaways advisor Professor Tanya Byron

Ask the Experts - teeth cleaning and autism: My little boy detests having his teeth cleaned

Keywords Issue 14: Visual support; calm; dentists; teeth cleaning.

Issue 13

Autumn 2011

AuKids is thoroughly in its stride by now and its editors, three years into publication, have been steeped in the autism world long enough to write some guidelines of their own. Reviews of Apps appear on the menu as their popularity among the special needs community rises. Our graffiti-style Jargon Buster, explaining all the weird and wonderful terminology used by experts, has since been made into a poster.

Ask the Experts tackles chewing with some great recommended products. In The School Run, we talk about finding a suitable setting for your child and how to communicate their needs to their primary school. We round off with a lovely colourful Christmas feature with some great present ideas as well as general hints to get you through the festive season.

Keywords Issue 13: Jargon Busters; chewing; choosing a school; Christmas shopping; Christmas tips

Issue 12

Summer 2011

In this issue, Meltdowns are the subject of one of our most popular Ask the Expert features. Our double-page spread on parties for autistic kids, It’s My Party and I’ll Flap if I Want To, has some great inspiration to reduce stress at birthday get-togethers.

Our DIY Special, How to Build A Path to Communication, was so successful that it was available as a poster. Here we take you through the simple principles behind getting your child motivated to share communication, and all it takes is a bit of time and some patience. Our interview is with the director of Oily Cart theatre company, which produces drama that’s adapted for kids with complex needs and autism.

Keywords Issue 12: Meltdowns; birthday parties; communication; special needs theatre.

Issue 11

Spring 2011

Includes one of our favourite features – The Autism Advantage, sharing stories of famous and not-so famous folk on the autism spectrum who are using their differences to their advantage. What do Gary Numan, the designer of Pokemon (Satoshi Tajiri) and Alan Turing have in common? I think you can guess.

Ask the Experts sees Professor Barry Prizant, Research fellow Greg Pasco and regulars Peter Lawson and Dr Luke Beardon (senior lecturer in autism) discussing echolalia. The key questions – what is it and should it be discouraged? (Short answer – No).

We’ve also got NAS Chief Exec Mark Lever talking about improving services for families of children with autism.

Keywords Issue 11: Role models; echolalia

Issue 10

Winter 2011

Ask the Experts focuses on rigid routines and what to do about them, whilst our computer special features an interview with Numberjacks creator Chris Ellis about the Cbeebies show’s popularity with autistic kids. On the facing page we also interview SEN Assist director Adele Devine, a teacher who decided to launch her own series of CD-Rom games especially to help autistic children with their learning.

Meanwhile, the Which Way Now? feature guides parents through various intervention strategies, showing which is best for different types of development. We also talk you through how to weigh up scientific claims.

Table of Contents

Ask the Experts: My family are hostage to my son’s rigid routines. Do we adapt our lives around him or are there techniques we can use to influence his rigid behaviour without causing a meltdown?

Ready to Launch? It’s A New Mission for the Numberjacks

Teacher’s New Approach is the PC Way to Learn: How SEN Assist creator Adele Devine designed web games especially for autistic children.

Which Way Now? A rough guide to the key Intervention Strategies with autism.

Keywords Issue 10: Rigid routines; rigidity; Numberjacks; therapies.