Aspergers Behavior

Question

It is frustrating not being able to change or modify behaviors such as diet, social skills, and motivation. Are there any new techniques you could recommend?

Answer

Most children with Asperger’s Syndrome struggle with social skills, communication, and a limited diet. The causes of these struggles: social, communication, and behavioral problems, along with sensory issues, can create the desire for isolation and a lack of motivation. Children with Asperger’s easily drop into a lonely state of depression, making the original problems that much worse.

Behavior modification is the most popular area of concentration when treating kids with Asperger’s Syndrome. Social skills therapy and living skills therapy are widely available and do bring about effective progress in most cases. However, you are looking for something new to try.

Motivation is the key to improving your child’s circumstances. Actually, motivation is a factor anytime you are seeking to modify any child’s unwanted behaviors. Now motivation in itself is definitely an old concept, but using motivation in a new way will create the wanted result for your child.

Old Motivation

As parents, we often use set motivators to achieve the behavior we feel is appropriate. The concentration has been placed on the behavior, which sets a negative tone to the process of change. You can’t blame a child for reacting negatively to a negative tone.

* Punishment-“If you don’t do ______, then you will get ______!” We all use this at one time or another and over the course of time, it has proven to be an ineffective motivator.
* Rewards or bribery- “If you do ______ today, I’ll buy you a ______.” We’re guilty of this one, too. This probably creates more confusion and greed than motivation over time.

New Motivation

Motivators should be positive. It feels good to see your child happily learning or cooperating in desired behaviors. Motivators that appeal to the individual child should be used for maximum results. Motivation is definitely personal. What motivates one child will not work for every child.

* Special Interests-Using your child’s special interests both at home and at school can generate positive responses in all situations. For example, your child’s love of trains can be used to encourage eating at home. Train themed dinnerware or even themed foods may be used to entice the reluctant eater.

* Routines-Keeping your child’s routines constant will improve his outlook. He’ll know what to expect at any given time, lessening the stress he feels.

Finally, “The Motivation Breakthrough” by Richard Lavoie is the perfect resource for someone looking for new techniques to motivate their child with Asperger’s Syndrome. The author provides proven, effective tools and strategies parents and teachers can use to encourage any child to learn and achieve success.

My Aspergers Child