Asperger's Conversations

Yoga and Asperger's/Autism

In today's podcast I explore the possibility of using Yoga to help adolescents and young adults with Asperger's or Autism.  Although there have been occasional reports in the media of using Yoga with individuals with Asperger's or special needs (see 2003 Boston Globe article), this has generally been a neglected area of inquiry.  I interviewed our Yoga consultant, Wendy Bienvenu of Keene, NH, about the group she is helping to organize at Keene State College.  Click on the MP3 link below to hear today's program.

Download pr6_complete.mp3

College Professors and HFA in the Classroom

In today's podcast I interview two college professors who discuss their experience with having a student with high functioning autism in their classes.  Both confessed their nervousness about how this would work out, and both come to similar conclusions:  That their classroom experience was enriched by the presence of this student.  Stephen Shore is a graduate student who has discussed this problem from the point of view of the student.  Click on the MP3 download to hear Professors Steve Clark (Psychology) and Pete Stevenson (Sociology) talk about their experience.  The big issue that is raised concerns "who reinforces the reinforcer?"  In other words, how are we going to involve and support college professors and other college staff who, in turn, support college students with Asperger's or HFA.

Download pr5_complete.mp3 (4.47MB; 13mins, 02 secs)

Asperger's After College

College Professor Dawn Prince-Hughes has collected an interesting array of stories of college students with Asperger's in Aquamarine Blue 5.  But what happens to these young people after they graduate?  Here at KSC we've offered college students with AS or HFA quite a bit of support, coaching, and networking opportunities.  We know, though, that the "real world" may not be as helpful.  In today's audio weblog, I spoke with a recent graduate of our mentoring program to see what life was like several months post graduation.

Click on the link below to hear this week's report.

Download pr4_complete.mp3 (1.61 MG; 4mins, 43secs)

Training Professionals in Asperger's and High Functioning Autism

In today's MP3 audio posting I interview several professionals involved in a new training program designed to ramp up knowledge and skills for those working with kids with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.  This intensive one-year certification program at Antioch New England Graduate School may be one of the first of its kind in the nation.  I address issues related to access to much needed information and questions whether we are truly prepared to deliver the types of services that kids with AS/HFA need.

Download pr_3profEducation.mp3