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

Comments

[Cailyn O'Donnell]

I was actually relieved to hear this log. On the first day of class I had no idea what Aspergers was. I am not an education or psyc major so that might explain it. I was shocked to hear that there is only one other possible place in the country that would be training people intensively to deal with this disease. I hope that these types of programs work to educate therapist and the public about this disease. From my own personal experience and what the people you spoke with in tthis log said it seems like this type of education is much needed.

[Nicolasa Cortez]

I couldnt believe that there are still children with Aspergers who have not been serviced. I understand that the symptoms used to dianose this are very similar to Autism, but it suprises me that it is just now becoming something that educators, therapists, and parents are researching and learning about. I hope that more people develop knowledge on ways to service children in the schools so that children with Aspergers get the most out of their education without going too long with being undiagnosed or unserviced.

[Laura Palladino]

I think it's great that there are people researching Aspergers and Autism, but I think there is still more research to be done and should be more programs availible. Before last semester I didn't know a thing about Austism or Aspergers, but after having a class with an Austistic boy and from this class, I have learned a lot and I think it's important for people to be educated about this topic.

[Sarah Westra]

When I first listened to the web posting I had previously stated that I personally knew little about these diseases, however after listening to this I was very surprised that many professionals knew little as well. I think therefore that this is an essential program to offer. Espesially when those at the professional level are at many times entrusted with the mental well being of a child in that they should be able to provide necessary help to those who need it. If they know so little about this field I don't see how it whould be possible for them to provide effective care. The second thing that came to mind as I was listening, was how many other disorders are not so well understood and who is going to help someone who may be suffering for something that is a relativly new area of mental health, that profesionls who went to schoold somet 20 years ago are going to be able to treat.

[melissa mengual]

I think it is somewhat crazy that some children who deal with Aspergers that have not had proper treatment and services provided for them. A program like this needs to be offered because many educators are unaware of this disease that these students suffer with. It amazes me that people are just learning the sticks of Aspergers disease. I believe that is essential for people to become educated in this topic because so many peopple suffer from this today

[Amy Welliver]

I agree with melissa, its scary that clinicians dont have all the information about Aspergers to properly diagnosis it. When the professor was saying that all i could think was "you have got to be kidding me!" These people are making tons of money to look at these kids and they arent even making the proper diagnosis? Thats rediculous! Especially in schools; there should deffintily be knowledgable people consulting at schools because that is where the child can be observed unobtrusivly. I remember you talking in class about how a kids diagnosis that you made on him followed him throughout his life. Its so important that a proper diagnosis be made because if a child is mis-diagnosed they are going to face a stigma for the rest of their life and that is just awful. Growing up is hard enough!

[Cristin Goguen]

I after listening to this posting and reading the reactions of others in the class I feel better knowing I am not the only one who does not really know exactly what Aspergers is. I think that what the professor was saying about education for more people in general is very true but I find it to be even more needed in rural areas such as Keene. Where as we are not by any very big research facilities or places of that sort for those who may have Aspergers help does not get to them as quickly because there is such a lack of education about it. I appricaite what Prof. W said about more help going into the schools as well. Teachers have such a lack of help in the first place; it would be wonderful for those who have a real knowledge of these topics to come in and help.

[melissa soboslai]

i think that this program is good and well needed. often you dont know how to treat someone with aspergers. my only question would be, how do you actually tell the difference between aspergers and autism? when you read the criteria to us in class they both sounded so much the same that i would find it hard to tell the difference. how come they both arent listed under the same thing?

[Jennifer Fitzpatrick]

I agree that it seems very necessary that people take this course to further their knowlegde of Asperger's and Autism. How can someone be properly diagnosed if the psychiatrist they are seeing is not properly educated on a disorder that is showing up more and more frequently? Especially when in general, very little is known of either. I was surprised to hear that there was not a bigger turn out for the course, especially at the PhD MD levels. You would think that people would want to know more about a disorder that is affecting numerous people including those that they could be diagnosing. Don't they want to make the proper decisions in treatment? I understand the idea that psychiatrists may feel bogged down with all of their patients and their work, but I also feel that it is part of the job, that is, knowing what you are doing inside and out.

[Shannon Cowles]

I think that a training program for professionals is an excellent and very crucial idea because this is an increasing problem. I liked hearing the different views from different people in different fields. It was interesting to hear what each of them had to say. These children need to be helped with their education so if professionals know how to help them then all that can come out of it are positive things. It is very scary that some people are not interested or do not have the time to devote to learning more about Asperger's

[Breanne Lucey]

This log was very imformative to me, ever since the first day of class, i had absolutely no idea about what aspergers was, and a knew little about autism. I'm very relieved to hear that people are trying to look into aspergers and autism and try to learn more from it. I feel it is essential that we have a trainig program for any professional or anyone for that matter. Aspergers and Autism are very serious, and we still don't really know that much about it. THe more people who study it, and learn how to relate to and imporve someone with asperger's/autism is greatly admired and respected. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of hard work to help someone with these social disorders, and im happy to see there are people who have the drive and the motivation to help us all get more awareness.

[Lori Blair]

To be honest I hadnt really heard of aspergers until ESEC 250 in which is was briefly introduced and i was somewhat relieved and somewhat disturbed at the same time listening to the web log. I'm glad that there is more research being done on both aspergers and autism, however i feel like it shouldnt just be starting now. I know that its hard to distinguish between the two, but i find it hard knowing that there are children who arent being treated properly for what they have. I'm really glad as a future educator that i was introduced to aspergers because i believe that it will be a great source for when i'm a teacher.

[stephanie boyce]

Like some of the others who have posted their comments i I was really shocked to hear that there is only one other possible place in the country that would be training people intensively to deal with this disease. It seems pretty obvious to me that this is not something that is going to just go away, children with aspergers need help and i find it kind of sad that there is only one other place that will be training people. I hope that these types of programs work in their attempts to educate people correctly about aspergers. I also hope that all of this is just the begning of the the research that will be done on aspergers and that it continues until we have learned everything we can about aspergers, and until people are adequately educated on aspergers.

[L. Tagen]

Just like everyone else, i was surprised at the lack of facilities for a disease that has so much validity. I think eventually there will be more resources available and there will be incredible advancements because there have been many medical phenomena that didn't draw the attention of researchers immediately, but later became important.

[Stephanie Rascona]

I am disappointed at myself not knowing how children with Aspergers are not getting the care that they need. More people and scientists need to get involved with this disease. I know that the medical world is trying to come up with a cure for cancer, but what about the young inoscent children with Autism and Aspergers'. They need attetion and care too. Something needs to be done about this. This doesn't make sence of how there is only one place in this country that trains poeple to give direct attention to others with these diseases, there needs to be more.

[Joel Brown]

As well as everyone else, I find it surprising that there has been little research done on Aspergers. I do not find it surprising that the majority of the information that people do know about the disease is from the media and pop culture. I think that this program will bring forth the much neede information that people need to know about Aspergers.This is definetly a win-win situation. People will be getting properly trained and people with Aspergers will be recieveing the help that they need at the same time.

[Jess Balsam]

I was shocked when I heard that there are so few places that really research Apserger's. I feel like it should be studied just as much as other disorders/diseases. Hopefully it becomes more and more popular among researchers. However, being an education major I wish there were more places for myself to turn to when I have a student with this problem.

[Erin Shelton]

I don't uderstand how there can be such little research done on Aspberger's when its a fairly commen disorder. Its bad that the media may be the only way people know about this disorder because they're so often wrong. Before this class I didn't really know what Asperger's was and I only knew of a few symptoms of autism.

[Lauren Levinstim]

I still can't believe the little amount of research that has been done on Asperger's. I think this new training program is especially important because of the real lack of information about Asperger's. This program will enable people to better understand children with Asperger's and high fuctioning autism and allow them to help these people with more confidence.