"We seem to be having ever increasing difficulty with our 13-year-old Aspergers daughter. We began to notice a change for the worse around the time she reached puberty. Her anger and anxiety have reached a new level. She also seems depressed much of the time. Is this normal for an Apsie? What can we do to slow down what I see as a train wreck in the making?"
Puberty brings with it challenges for all children, however, children with Aspergers and High Functioning Autism face increased challenges through puberty. The behavior issues of impulsivity can increase in both frequency and intensity. Aspies who experienced bullying in elementary school -- and now continue to experience bullying during their middle school years -- may become increasingly aggressive.
Puberty brings with it challenges for all children, however, children with Aspergers and High Functioning Autism face increased challenges through puberty. The behavior issues of impulsivity can increase in both frequency and intensity. Aspies who experienced bullying in elementary school -- and now continue to experience bullying during their middle school years -- may become increasingly aggressive.
Adolescence can become a very difficult time for a child with Aspergers as peers may no longer be willing to tolerate someone who seems different. Moodiness, depression and anxiety can also develop in adolescence due to hormonal imbalances, resulting in increased separation of the Aspie from his/her peers.
Adolescence is a time when social demands become more complex, and it becomes increasingly important to be able to understand social cues. Children with Aspergers can be more vulnerable to (a) manipulation by others and (b) peer pressure. They are likely to experience more rejection among their peers. With young people who have Aspergers, interaction with peers usually creates more anxiety than interaction with younger or older people.
Many emotional and behavioral issues associated with the onset of puberty can be avoided if the Aspergers child is kept on a consistent schedule. A daily routine produces behavioral stability and psychological comfort for these kids. It also lessens their need to make demands since they can anticipate that their needs will be met.
When parents establish a daily routine, they eliminate some of the situations in which their child's behavior becomes problematic. Also, by building in a regular time to give him/her positive attention, he/she may have less of a need for "acting-out" behaviors.
Many emotional and behavioral issues associated with the onset of puberty can be avoided if the Aspergers child is kept on a consistent schedule. A daily routine produces behavioral stability and psychological comfort for these kids. It also lessens their need to make demands since they can anticipate that their needs will be met.
When parents establish a daily routine, they eliminate some of the situations in which their child's behavior becomes problematic. Also, by building in a regular time to give him/her positive attention, he/she may have less of a need for "acting-out" behaviors.
4 comments:
She's probably having trouble making/keeping friends and is likely being bullied. This is the age where they become acutely aware that they are different from others. Does she have any hobbies? I would strongly suggest getting her involved with a group of kids with similar interests, social skills groups, etc.
My daughter is only 10, going through puberty and anxiety is at an all time high!
My daughter is 6 (almost 7) and is showing physical signs of puberty (breast development and armpit hair - along with the odor). She has become increasingly non-compliant in school and becoming more aggressive towards her teachers... At home she's almost a perfect little angel. Of course we have a very strict schedule/routine at home and any change in it has to be explained thoroughly before we get compliance.
my son has autism and i know is similar to aspergers. He is 17 now and I wish all the parents out there with teenage children with aspergers all the luck in the world through this difficult stage in both yours and their lives xxxx
13 hours ago · Like
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