My ASD Child

"I would like to know what to expect from a high functioning autistic child in the teenage years. My son was diagnosed 2 years ago. I know they say that they can suffer from this and that, but what is the long-term goal, what can we expect, what not to expect?" Click here for the answer... Parenting Programs Offered by Online Parent Support: ==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's ==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook 

Motor Clumsiness: This refers to difficulties with motor functioning and planning. The Asperger individual can have difficulty with both gross and fine motor skills. A. Difficulties with gross motor skills: An awkward gait when walking or running. Poor balance. Difficulty when throwing or catching a ball (appears afraid of the ball). Difficulty coordinating different extremities, motor planning (shoe tying, bike riding). Difficulty with motor imitation skills. Difficulty with rhythm copying. Difficulty with skipping. B. Difficulties with fine motor skills: Difficulty with handwriting/cutting/coloring skills. An unusual pencil/pen grasp. Rushes through fine motor tasks. Difficulty applying sufficient pressure when writing, drawing, or coloring. Difficulty with independently seeing sequential steps to complete finished product. Frustration if writing samples are not perfectly identical to the presented model.

Narrow Range of Interests and Insistence on Set Routines This refers to the Aspergers child’s rigidity, obsessions, perseverations, and need for structure/routine/order. A. Rules are very important as the world is seen as black or white: Takes perfectionism to an extreme — one wrong answer is not tolerable, and the child must do things perfectly Has difficulty with any changes in the established routine Has a set routine for how activities are to be done Has rules for most activities, which must be followed (this can be extended to all involved) B. The child has few interests, but those present are unusual and treated as obsessions: Patterns, routines, and rituals are evident and interfere with daily functioning (note: this is driven by the child’s anxiety; the world is confusing for her; she is unsure what to do and how to do it; if she can impose structure, she begins to have a feeling of control) Has developed narrow and specific interests; the interests ten

"Any tips for toilet training my Aspergers son? It's not been going very well so far. Help!" Even for the normal child, toilet training is often a difficult skill to master. But for the child with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism, there are additional factors that may inhibit toilet training. The things that would encourage the average child may not be effective with the "Aspie." Social motivation is a critical factor in determining "readiness" for toilet training. An Aspergers child may not be motivated by the opportunity to wear “big boy pants.” He may not understand what is expected of him. Following all the steps necessary for toilet training may be difficult for this child. Changes in his routine may also be a challenge. An Aspergers child may not be aware of the need to use the toilet. The first step in toilet training will be to determine his level of readiness. Assessment-- 1. Establish a positive and meaningful rout