Supporting your Aspergers Child to Make Friends

By Mark Hutten, M.A.
When a "neurotypical" youngster makes friends, moms and dads are not often involved in the choice of the friend or the facilitation of the friendship. But, the parents of an kid with Asperger's or HFA should be  active participants in helping him make and keep solid friends.

Part of the process involves concretely teaching the youngster how an "average" (for the lack of a better term) friend should act. Teaching him or her politeness, restraint in some situations, and how to talk and establish good eye contact with others will help this youngster learn skills that aren’t innate to his or her development.

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