Search This Blog

How Therapists Teach Social Skills to Children on the Autism Spectrum

“The importance of teaching social skills is mentioned a lot on this site. I was wondering what a therapist actually does when he or she is training a child with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism. Can parents accomplish the same results at home?”

The therapist who teaches social skills to children on the autism spectrum usually begins by breaking down complex social behaviors into smaller pieces. Then he arranges these smaller parts in order of difficulty, and gradually introduces them to the child.

For instance, a therapist who is helping a child learn to feel more comfortable in group activities could make a list of specific behaviors that belong to the complex behavior called behaving appropriately in groups, which would include specific actions that will make in more likely the child will “fit-in” with his/her peer-group (e.g., introducing oneself to others, making conversation with several peers in the group rather than just one “favored” peer, keeping one's conversation interesting, sharing, etc.). The child can then work on one specific behavior at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.



Some specific strategies in social skills training include: feedback, shaping, instruction, modeling, reinforcement of positive interactions, and role-playing. For instance, “instruction” may be used to convey the differences among assertive, passive, and aggressive styles of communication. The strategy of “monitoring” may be used to ask the child to increase his/her eye contact during a conversation.

In “role-playing” exercises, group members have the opportunity to offer feedback to one another about their performances in simulated situations (e.g., Michael and Sara may role-play a situation in which Michael asks Sara if he can join in a particular activity with Sara …then the other group members give feedback about Michael’s assertiveness or Sara’s response).

Parents can indeed do a lot to help their child gain social skills. Many children with Asperger’s and High-Functioning Autism are unable to see social clues, understand age appropriate behaviors, and read body language. The first step in teaching a youngster who struggles with social skills is to educate yourself on the possible reasons behind his/her lack of skills (e.g., behavior management problem, communication problem, problem with sensory integration, etc.). There are many possible reasons behind your youngster’s behaviors, and knowing the root cause will give you clues as to what he/she needs to work on in the way of social skills.

==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

If your youngster struggles with learning social skills, you may find that you have to repeat yourself a lot, or your youngster may learn a new skill – but then regress. This is typical, so don’t allow yourself to get frustrated.

Some examples of social skills training techniques include the following:
  • Picture cards, social stories, and visual reminders are great for kids who need to learn organizational skills.
  • You can use a script to help your child role play through a difficult social situation at school. For example, if your child is having trouble with bullying, write a script for him and encourage him to role-play possible responses and actions. Scripts can even help your child through very basic scenarios (e.g., asking for help in the classroom).
  • Relationship role-play can be used to practice conflict resolution, learn how to share, and develop effective communication skills. This particular brand of role-play allows the child to practice skills for any imaginable scenario so that she can use it to her advantage when feeling anxious about a situation.
  • Using games and puzzles can be extremely helpful in developing “cooperative play.” 
  • Visual cue cards can provide the youngster with suggestions to (a) prompt him/her in appropriate behavior and choices when interacting with peers, (b) help the youngster remember how to open and eat his/her snack, (c) learn how to get ready for school in the morning, (d) know how to pack up his/her backpack at the end of the school day, and so on.
  • You can create a script to outline procedures and events – and to help your youngster feel less anxious. Scripts can help the youngster to understand why things are happening. For example, for your daughter's first visit to a dentist, prepare a simple script that outlines the process, go over the script with her ahead of time, and show her the script during the appointment so she will remember what to expect.

Other examples of social skills training techniques include social games, combining cue cards and scripts with social games, and video modeling.

Social skills activities give mom and dads the opportunity to interact with their “special needs” youngster in a fun and structured environment. Social skills training can help the youngster feel more confident, boost his sense of self-esteem, alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, and help him feel less isolated and more confident in life.


Resources for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum:
 
 
By

Developing Language Skills: Help for Children with Asperger's and HFA

Instead of delaying language development, AS and HFA impairs the subtleties of social communication. These boys and girls have difficulty understanding nuances (e.g., irony, sarcasm, fanciful or metaphoric language, etc.), and many of them take language literally (e.g., expressions like “watching paint dry” or “smart as a tack” leave these kids very confused).

These kids also have difficulty interpreting and displaying non-verbal communication. Body language, facial expressions, the use of personal space, gestures and postures are often mysteries to boys and girls on the autism spectrum. This inability to instinctively comprehend unspoken communication has led some experts to suggest Asperger’s is actually a non-verbal communication disorder.

In this post, we will discuss the following:
  • Characteristic Checklist for Asperger’s and HFA 
  • Language Disorder 
  • Parenting Tips for Helping with Language-skills Acquisition 

Click here for the full article...



By

Depression in Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

“Do teenagers with Asperger syndrome and level 1 autism usually suffer from depression? If so, why? And what should parents look for if they believe their teenager is becoming depressed?”

Unfortunately, depression does seem to be common among teens and adults with Asperger’s (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA). Many of the same deficits that produce anxiety may work together to generate depression.

Serotonin functions are impaired in many teens with ASD, which suggests that depression and ASD is more likely. Also, the basic circuitry related to frontal lobe functions in depression is affected in some teens on the spectrum.
 
 
In addition, deficits in social relationships and responses that permit one to compensate for disappointment and frustration may fuel a vulnerability to depression. Furthermore, there is some genetic evidence suggesting that depression and social anxiety are more common among first-degree relatives of autistic teens.



Another important point is that young people with ASD who display affective and vocal monotony are at higher risk for having their ‘suicidal remarks’ minimized. Higher-functioning teens can make suicidal statements in a manner that suggests an off-hand remark without emotional impact, and as a result, their comments may not be taken seriously. 
 
When comments are made this way, parents – and even therapists – may underestimate them. In these “special needs” teens, the content of such comments may be more crucial than the emotional emphasis with which they are delivered.

Depressed autistic teens often have trouble concentrating or remembering things. Sometimes they are indecisive. It is very common for them to feel hopeless or to "beat up on themselves" by thinking negative thoughts about themselves. Thoughts of suicide are common. They may lose their interest in food and frequently lose weight. Less often, depression causes these teens to indulge in comfort eating and they gain weight. 
 
 
A change in sleep patterns often accompanies depression. They may have trouble getting a good night's sleep, or alternatively, they sleep much more than usual and have trouble getting out of bed.

Other symptoms may include the following:
  • decreased energy
  • tiredness
  • fatigue
  • lack of interest in the opposite sex
  • being listless and withdrawn
  • withdrawal from their normal social activities
  • spending an increasing amount of time alone
  • may avoid leaving the house
  • speech can be flat and uncommunicative
  • may be exhausted and feel like they're "dragging themselves around"
  • may use drugs or alcohol in an attempt to make themselves feel better

 The medications that are useful for depression in “typical” teens should be considered for teens with ASD who display symptoms of depression. However, since some features of depression and autism overlap, it is important to track that the changes in mood are a departure from baseline functioning. Therefore, the presence of social withdrawal in a teen on the spectrum should not be considered a symptom of depression unless there is an acute decline from that young person's baseline level of functioning. 
 
Also, the core symptoms of depression should arise together. Thus, the simultaneous appearance of symptoms (e.g., decreased energy, further withdrawal from interactions, irritability, loss of pleasure in activities, sadness, self-deprecating statements, sleep and appetite changes, etc.) would point to depression.

Medications that are useful for treatment of depression in teens with ASD are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. There are no medications that have been shown to be particularly more beneficial for depressive symptoms in these young people. Therefore, the decision as to which medications to use is determined by side-effect profiles, previous experience, and responses to these medications in other family members.
 
==> Videos for Parents of Children and Teens with ASD
By

The ASD Advantage: It Is Not A "Cross To Bear"

Give children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism a chance, and they will show you what great things they can accomplish.





By
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Understanding Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Adolescence is a pivotal and often tumultuous phase of development, characterized by significant emotional, social, and physical changes. Fo...