Communication plays a very important part in all our lives. How we communicate directly relates to how our relationships develop with each other, our understanding and ability to learn and even our future in terms of jobs and careers. There are times when we all experience difficulties in communicating. For some, these difficulties prove more challenging than others, sometimes resulting in a medical diagnosis with an autistic spectrum disorder.

The term Autistic Spectrum Disorder or ASD as it is sometimes called, incorporates a number of conditions diagnosed by certain symptoms or traits. All are defined in their own right but many of their traits overlap and so we can make links between Autism, Asperger Syndrome and so on.

The purpose of this DVD is to provide a practical, self help and support resource primarily for teenagers with Asperger Syndrome, their families, friends and carers although we feel sure it will be of great value to many others who find making new contacts and coping with unfamiliar circumstances a major trial.

All teenagers at some point, experience anxiety in social situations but for young people with Asperger Syndrome, this anxiety can develop into almost constant high levels of stress.

They may find it difficult to respond as part of a group, be unable to understand irony or sarcasm, lack ability to recognise body language or show empathy and frequently misunderstand a conversation as a result of taking a very concrete or literal interpretation.

Vicki first became involved with communication disorders about twelve years ago when she received a letter from a mother whose young son had been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. The letter explained how the child often struggled to understand what was expected of him when spoken to especially by unfamiliar people, his inability to recognise basic social skills and how he would frequently become confused and distressed in certain situations. It also explained how the little boy had responded positively to one of Vicki’s performances. Knowing from personal experience the stress and worry that can be caused by having a special needs child in the family and wanting to find out more, Vicki had no hesitation in contacting the family offering to meet them with a view to providing some kind of support. That support continued through the boy’s childhood and has culminated in the production of this DVD.

It shows Vicki using communicational skills through her professional training by means of speech, facial expression and body language coupled with recognised educational strategies, together with a group of young actors, performing a number of everyday scenarios that can prove tricky to deal with.

Topics  include:

• introductions,

• recognising body language,

• holding a conversation,

• figures of speech and understanding mixed messages

• sarcasm.

Produced in association with Consultant Paediatrician, Dr Meher Pocha of the Child Development Centre, Kempston, who has a lifetime’s career experience in such matters, the DVD provides some useful tips and strategies to help cope with these situations which affect all young people at some time.

The DVD was sponsored by The Friends of Bedford Child Development Centre, Kempston, Bedfordshire, the Bedford Charity and The Hutchinson Family Trust.

To read the story behind the DVD click here.

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