My ASD Child

Question We have a diagnosis of ASD from our pediatrician, but our counselor is telling me that she does not agree with the diagnosis because my son is very social with her and he always makes eye contact. He has ASD traits, and then some that are not: He has problems keeping friends. No boys, just has friends that are girls. Everything is black or white, there is no in between. Everything is taken in the literal sense. He does not understand that benefit him. Refuses to do school/homework statements like "I shouldnt have to make up that school work, it wasnt my fault that I broke my shoulder at school!" Dominates all conversations Targets music (very talented) and will hound relentlessly for you to hear him play at inappropriate times (mom on a business call) Doesnt understand jokes - gets offended because he thinks that they are directed at him in a negative way Does not try to fit in with others (has his own style - not intentially, but because he has no in

Question How do you get teenagers with ASD [level 1] to recognize that the social skills that you are trying to teach them (often to no avail) are imperative if they are to get on in life with regard to finding friends, a job etc.? Teens with ASD often seem in such a world of their own that they cannot appreciate the importance of those social skills. In our case, we have an adolescent who thinks that they are always right anyway and so see no need to modify their behavior. Answer The teen years can be a trying time for moms and dads and kids alike. As parents, we know that our adolescents have a lot of growing up to do. As adolescents, our kids cannot figure out how we made it to adulthood with so little knowledge and understanding!     The truth is, these years bring about difficult adjustments on both parties, and this happens whether or not you are dealing with ASD (high-functioning autism). Adolescents with ASD have lived through the elementary and middle schoo