Critical Period such as School transitions Social isolation Aggressive behaviors Difficulty to complete schoolwork on time Sleep quality problems Day dreaming in class Too obsessive interrupting daily life activities Peer conflicts Victim to bullying Sibling rivalry Before and after examination Family transitions Factors of Mental Health Risks such as Tamper tantrum (3 times a week in different classes/settings) School refusal Parent-child conflicts Excessive crying Social withdrawal Lack of motivation in his/her area of interests Addictive behavior impairing daily functioning/performance There has been growing pain in families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, that require early identification to address the burden of symptomatology and unmet needs of the affected individuals. Early intervention on adaptive skills is essential to positive life outcomes and manage mental health wellbeing in adulthood.

1.Early Identification/Checklist (giftedhk.wordpress.com 四種不便 ) 2.Review the learner profile of the student with ASD so as to identify their characteristics and needs 3.Prevention is better than cure (Self awareness by ME self-report, Monitor levels of sensory overload, Reduce of hyperarousal) 4.Update with teachers of previous lessons 5.Check their understanding (e.g. expected learning outcomes, task requirement, time frame) 6.Chart their progress (Emotion regulation, social engagement, task execution, contribution to the class) 7.Teachers learn to speak the AS language 8.Finding out their genuine interests and teaching new things in the context of their genuine interests 9.Quiet corner to recover from hyper-arousal state (arranged beforehand) 10.Appoint a responsible person to follow through the learning and self development 11.Regular update to engage parents living with autism spectrum disorder 12. Social stories (Visual sequential presentation of social communication of significant events especially meltdown) to direct instruction in specific and concrete terms Strengths - Rapid learner - Abstract thinking - Extensive knowledge - Deep learning (i.e. hypersystemizer) - Excellent memory - Synthesizer with unique solution - Loyal & genuine - Passionate Hidden struggles/Need - Hyperarousal and fear (Quiet Corner to Calm down) - Sensory overload (Learn to identify source & change environment) - Difficulties in self understanding (Start charting mood changes) - Difficulties with social engagement (Social thinking & skill practice) - Problems with organization and execution (Skill demonstration) - Problems with mentalizing & judgment (Mindreading skills & review) - Restrictive interests or repetitive behavior (Specified time & place) Asperger syndrome (AS ) is generally regarded as a mild form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) which is a neurodevelopmental disorder manifestating itself as social impairments and restrictive repetitive behavior. Some highly able Asperger individuals show average to very superior intelligenece. They may be gifted Asperger who suffer silently in various social, school and work settings. Their academic performance may not reveal their hidden struggles. Early identification is important to build up their capacity for social adjustment, independent living and to reduce vulnerability to mental health and family wellbeing in the long run.