Second Life with Autism

There are many many people in SL with Aspergers, if not Autism. It's a fantastic resource in many ways.

Usagi, I'd invite you to think that perhaps there are people at LL who also possibly have Aspergers or Autism. The chances are quite high, given the nature of coders (this is not meant as an insult, it's observation made RL by knowing a lot of development peeps).

I'd hope that this thought doesn't lead to you having another pop at LL of course, which would somewhat cheapen your argument being based on your child's challenges in life. Maybe you should think about how it comes across to others when you go off on such rants?

* waves to Crysta *
Thanks for posting the info on the September event. You beat me to it, and I'm glad you did because it's MUCH better coming from you. What a wonderful first post to this forum!

Yep. I heard a "Friendly Greetings" when I read that comment.

That, and it isn't possible to address each unique manifestation of the condition on a 5 minute blurb on the evening news. The more intuitive viewer will recognize it for what it is - a highlight of maybe a small handful of cases where people somewhere on the spectrum are seeing positive applications of virtual worlds to their conditions.

There have been numerous reports in the news media about this, and I doubt that any of them intend to leave the viewer with the impression that virtual worlds are a one size fits all solution to social challenges faced by autistic folks.

That it helps at least a few, and potentially can help many more, makes it worthy of exposure in the media.

Thank you Crysta.

My younger brother is classed as atypical, high-functioning autism (personaly I am unclear how this differs from Aspergers). I encouraged him to sign up for SL and he did for a little while but quickly got bored with it and was unable to get socially involved.

I think part of the reason is that he's not visually-orientated in his way of learning, and SL is almost entirely visual. For an autistic person who is more visual-orientated, I think it would be much more successful.

My son has Aspergers. He loves SL. He functions very well here. He helped me to start building and when my computer breaks he fixes it. Thats his thing... other things are not his thing. SL is something he enjoys on a level with everyone else.

imogen

Our World is made up of many different kinds of people. Each one of us are special in our own way, but we are all very much alike. We all have friends and families, go to school, and have hobbies such as soccer, art, or music.

Children with autism may look like other kids, but if you met them you would find they are different in some ways. It may be hard for them to play, to make friends or to learn new things. Some may have trouble talking or understanding what people say. Some may talk to much about a favorite topic. But, just like you, children with autism are very special in many ways. They have families who love them very much, they go to school, and they have special interests.

I am going to speak a little about people you may meet who have autism and how you can be their friend.

What is Autism?
Autism affects the way a person's brain and body works. It is not a disease and is not contagious. You cannot catch autism from a classmate or a friend. A person with autism may have a hard time communicating with other people, making friends, or following directions. However, with the help of teachers, classmates, families, and friends, children with autism often can find it easier to learn in spite of these challenges.


How Do Kids with Autism Act?

Children with autism may act in some unusual ways. Some may have difficulties with certain activities, but they may have strengths in other areas. For instance, a child with autism may be a math whiz, a great artist or unbeatable at computer games. Still, they may have trouble putting their thoughts into words or understanding what you say.
Some children with autism prefer that schedules stay the same or that people always sit in the same seats. They may have a difficult time when things change. Changes may be scary for them, so they may try telling othrs what to do or where to sit.. You may think they are being "bossy" but it is really them trying to adjust to the changes. When schedules change and they do not know what is coming next, they can be very upset, sad or angry.

Some Kids with autism may:
*Have trouble talking, make strange sounds, or not talk at all;
*Flap their hands, spin, or laugh a lot
*Sit quietly and not look at others
*Play or behave differently than other friends
*Be very active or be very quiet and like to spend time alone
*Have trouble looking directly at you; or
*Do or say the same things over and over again
(like lining up toys or repeating a line from a movie).

Just because someone with autism may not be able to use words, it does not mean he or she can't understand your words.


Why Do Children with Autism Act This Way?

Some children with autism do not see, hear, or feel things the same way we do. The sound of the school bell or the noise of a parade may hurt their ears. Some may have trouble eating certain foods because of the way they taste. Others may be sensitive to certain smells. Smells you like, such as cookies baking, may make them feel sick. Things that bother most of us, like a bee sting, may not appear to be as painful to them.
It is hard for some children with autism to understand what we say or what our facial and body expressions mean. If you are frowning or showing an angry expression on your face, your classmate with autism may not be able to understand that you are angry. This does not mean you should stop trying to talk to them.
Sometimes showing them a picure or an object helps them understand things better. If you are talking about baseball, pointing to a baseball card or a bat may help your friend know what you mean. Just because someone with autism may not be able to use words, it does not mean he or she can't understand your words. Please talk to him as you do with your other friends.
Like all people, sometimes kids with autism can get frustrateed and angry but they often cannot tell us why. Instead of words, they may use actions to express their feelings. When they are upset, confused, or bored, they may make noises or spin around. When they are excited or happy, they may flap their hands, jump up and down, or run in circles. Or they may do all these things at once to help them calm down.
Many children with autism get upset when their surroundings or schedule change because new or diferent things can be very difficult or scary for them. They may cry, hold their hands over their ears, or run away. They are not choosing to misbehave. Children with autism may have a hard time controlling their behavior because they have difficulty understanding or dealing with the world around them.


What Causes Autism?

No one knows why some people have autism, and there may be many different causes. Scientists are still trying to find out just what those causes are and how to best help people with autism. Approximately 1,500,000 people in the USA have autism, and it is more common in boys than girls, reported.

Where Do Kids with Autism Go to School?

Kids with autism can be in many different types of classrooms and schools. They may be a member of your class or may be in a classroom that was set up especialy for them. Many children with autism also participate in after-school activities with classmates, friends, and neighbors.
You may see some special arrangements used to help a child with autism participate in your class. He or she may have a special "coach", sit at a special desk or table, or use pictures or symbols to communicate with you and the teacher. Some kids may even have special computers that "talk" for them. Friendly classmates can be the best help of all to a child with autism.


How Can I Be a Friend To Someone with Autism?

When you become a friend to a person with autism, you both learn a lot from each other. Here are some ideas that can help you be a better friend to a kid with autism:

* Accept your friend's differences.
* Know that some kids with autism are really smart, just in a different way.
* Protect your friend from things that bother him or her.
* Talk in small sentences with simple words and use simple gestures like pointing.
* Use pictures or write down what you want to say to help your friend understand.
* Join your friend in activities that interst him or her.
* Be patient - understand that your friend doesn't mean to bother you or others.
* Wait - give him or her extra time to answer your question or complete an activitiy.
* Invite your friend to play with you and to join you in group activities. Teach your friend how to play by showing him or her what to do in an activity or game.
* Sit near your friend whenever you can, and help him or her do things if they want you to.
* Never be afraid to ask your teacher questions about your classmates with autism.
* Help other kids learn about autism.


Crysta Laville
ASA-SL Director

On Saturday evening, August 2, the ASA-SL will host its weekly meeting.

This week our speaker will be Gentle Heron. Gentle is a volunteer for Virtual Ability, Inc. VAI helps bring people with many kinds of RL disabilities-mental, emotional, and physical-into Second Life, and provides them with a support community. www.VirtualAbility.org. Ms Heron is also a co-founder of The Heron Sanctuary.

The meeting will be at the ASA-SL office at 5:00 PM SLT.


Brett Stand-Inworld SL
President of ASA-SL chapter

The Autism Society of America will be hosting a fundraising event for the RL ASA Research Foundation on Sept. 12-14. Starting at 6pm slt on Friday until Sunday 12pm slt.

We are offering rental space on the walls for advertisment for your businesses Get good publicity and awareness of your business. 1000L for the 3 days or 500L per day.

Contact Crysta Laville inworld if interested in advertising your business during the event.

See you there~

Advocacy

The ASA has been the leading organization representing the autism community in the nation's capital for more than 30 years. The efforts of ASA's resulted in the successful launch of a number of pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of individuals with autism, legislation mandating education and other services for individuals with autism, bills to raise awareness about autism, and bills appropriating funds for research into the causes of and treatments for autism. There work not only continues to increase public awareness about autism, but it has also resulted in millions of dollars devoted to autism research and services.

ASA continuously monitors the activities of Congress and the federal government. They hold meetings and briefings with Members of Congress, their staff, and leaders in the federal government, such as the Department of Health and Human Services. By doing so, ASA educates these groups about the unique needs of those with autism and pushes for increased attention and programs.


Legislative Agenda

ASA is working to ensure that the federal government addresses the needs of individuals with autism and their families by promoting legislation in the following key areas:
*Increasing awarenss of autism issues
* Ensuring funding for autism activities
* Strengthening autism research
* Improving educational opportunities
* Promoting critical services across the age span

ASA represents the autism community across the spectrum and acros the lifespan. Our advocacy efforts encompass a wide array of issues and approaches, including, but not limited to:
* Programs and Services for Children
* Programs and Services for Adults
* Autism Research
* Disability Partnerships

Why Join ASA?

It takes more than one voice to be heard across the world.

*Your support contributes to an increase in public awareness.
* Your support secures funding for government-sponsored research.
* Your support helps contribute to a forum that provides comfort and information to families living with autism.
* You become part of a network of others who share in one mission.
* Your support also qualifies you to recieve the ASA's quarterly magazine "The Autism Advocate" (when you join the national organization), a valuable sourse of information on autism-related issues.

Thousands of individuals, families, professionals, and agencies are already part of the Autism Society of America. Together we can become not only the voice of autism, but a resourse for the autism community as a whole.

Your support of the ASA, through membership, provides a resourse for valuable information, advocacy for autism-related issues, and much more.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

Philosophy
At the very core of the parent choice philosophy is the belief that no single program or treatment will benefit all individuals with autism. Furthermore, the recommendation of what is "best" or "most effective" for a person with autism should be determined by those people directly involved - the individual with autism, to the extent possible, and the parents or family members. Providing information and education to help in decision-making are more highly regarded at ASA than is advocating for one particular theory or philosophy.

Reminder....

Autism Society of America:

Autism Society of America in SL is holding a "Bounce for Autism" fund raising event that benefits the RL ASA National Organization Research Foundation.
Kicked off Sept. 12th, Friday, 6pm slt until Sept 14th, Sunday, 10pm slt.
Live DJs, Musicians, Speakers, amazing fun attraction rides, tons of items up for auction, abundance information on Autism and closing ceremony with fireworks. Come out and join us and have the time of your Second Life. It's a blast!!!

See you there,

Crysta Laville
ASA-SL Director

Schedule can be found in Search under Events with Land Mark.

Many people I have met in SL (and too many in these forums) seem to have problems accurately communicating with or understanding others except at a very basic level. You can blame laziness, stupidity, illiteracy, dyslexia or autism depending upon how honest and self-aware you are.

Pep (come to think of it, it's not much different from real life)

In that case Pserendipity may I applaud the articulate and succinct way you never fail to communicate just exactly what sort of self-regarding, self-important, and yet obviously intellectually challenged little man you are.

Thank you for proving my point.

Pep ("just exactly" is a tautology)

QFT

Thank you, Christa, for your comprehensive post which states clearly and simply many things people need to know. My little nephew has an autistic classmate (of whom he sometimes makes fun) and I will use some of this to talk to him about it.

Unfortunately, intolerance of those who don't live up to our standards isn't restricted to 7-year olds, as Dippy's above example illustrates.

A quote provided by Amaranthim:


B.

I'd say more intentional repetition as a means of emphasis.

You see the thing is Pserendipity, people who are actually intelligent don't feel the overwhelming need to fall over themselves in the rush to prove it all the time.

Besides, as Pope pointed out, knowledge isn't intelligence.

"The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read with lots of useless lumber in his head"

Sound like someone we know?

PS.. Sorry for derailing the thread a bit, I'll leave it alone now

/me is delighted that his behavioural modification programme is working to such an extent that he has managed to get the last two, normally sloppy, posters to edit their posts to make them more comprehensible.

Pep (The language that is; the content is still risible)

Crysta is too modest to mention this, but she and Brett Stand have spent several months preparing for this weekend's event. They've done a great job organizing and planning.

I urge you to attend. Have fun and support this worthy cause! The rides look like GREAT fun! (I'll be back when I have more time today.) You can bid on auctioned items and shop in the booths set up by retailers -- all proceeds go to ASA!

(Disclaimer: I have a booth and an item in the auction. btw, Annie Melson has a furniture booth next to mine, and her items are awesome.)

Here's the SLurl:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybertron/162/195/22

Well, no. I added the part where someone called you a skunk.

Slapping you upside the head is like shooting fish in a barrel. Let's stop tainting this worthwhile thread with this nonsense.

B.

Come out and enjoy the fun, good entertainment and help support a good cause.

Todays Event Schedule:

SLURL for Event is....
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cybertron/237/214/22

8am SLT Joaquin Gustav - Guitarist Live Performer

9am SLT DJ Angi Fargis

11am Johnny99 Gumshoe - Live Performer

12pm SLT DJ Satin Xi

2pm SLTAerick Beaumount - Live Performer

3pm SLT Guest Speaker Milton Broom, Autistic disorder (Classic Autism)

3:30pm SLT DJ Zane Bijoux

5pm SLT Peregrine Singh - Live Performer

6pm SLT Guest Sperker Torley Linden

6:30pm SLT DJ Kelley Shortbread

8pm DJ Feshe Market

10pm SLT DJ Harlee Lane

Crysta Laville
ASA-SL Director

And again! Getting to like this editing thing? But I don't want you to start worrying about it so I won't comment again.

Pep (I wasn't called a skunk - read it again)

Actually I think it's people who feel that their intelligence is recognized and valued who don't feel the need to prove how smart they are.

This weekend's event sounds great.

1 user agrees

Pep (How would you prove it anyway?)

I'm going over there right now.

*If you're going to fight, can't you do it in the Traffic Bot Thread? Jeez!

A wise person knows that true wisdom is a process, not a thing. Thus it does not need to be trotted out and shown at every opportunity.


I'm going to try to be at the event later today, if all goes well. The line up of DJs and the chance to learn something new is always welcome to me.