My ASD Child

Question For a mom or dad who suspects their youngster may have Aspergers, what are the common symptoms to look out for? Answer Aspergers is a developmental disorder that affects a youngster's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Kids with Aspergers typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics. Signs and symptoms of Aspergers include: • Appearing not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelings • Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures • Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor • Having an odd posture or a rigid gait • Moving clumsily, with poor coordination • Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes • Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unus

Whether you are a parent, grandparent or any other person who cares about an Aspergers child's future, it is important that you be knowledge about how to prevent drug abuse. It's hard for us to imagine that an Aspergers child we love could end up using drugs. But chances are, many Aspergers children will be faced with, "Should I, or shouldn't I?" As parents we must teach our kids to know that the answer is, "I shouldn't, and I won't." If you suspect your Aspergers teen has been using drugs or drinking alcohol, it's important to act quickly: the longer your teen abuses substances, the more likely they are to become addicted. If you do find the problem is beyond your expertise, there are teen drug treatment programs that specialize in the special needs of this population. Be especially scrutinizing as you determine the drug rehab program that meets your Aspergers child's specific needs. Chemical dependency in Aspergers teens is a tr

Pain, loneliness and despair can lead to problems with drugs, sex and alcohol/drugs. In their overwhelming need to fit in and make friends, some Aspergers teens fall into the wrong high school crowds. Teens who abuse substances will use the "Aspie's" naivety to get him to buy or carry drugs and liquor for their group. Growing from childhood into adulthood can be very difficult for those diagnosed with Aspergers, and the typical pressure of drinking can lead to substance abuse, especially since substance abuse can seem like a temporary “cure-all” or an escape method for coping with other issues. If the symptoms of Aspergers have never been successfully treated or acknowledged, this can make alcohol/drugs abuse an even more likelihood, just as there is an increased risk for substance abuse for anyone with untreated disorder such as depression. Despite wanting to have friends and engage with others, the awkward attempts and social deficits of individuals with Aspergers

Question Tips on teaching black-and-white kids labels for different emotions would be invaluable. With our nine-year-old, everyone is either happy, sad, frustrated or mad. His difficulty labeling emotions compounds problems because by not being able to adequately express what he’s feeling and be understood. This frustration usually ends with a day full of sitting on the couch with his head down, not talking to anyone because he’s so upset. How can I help him better express himself? Answer It can be very difficult for some children with Asperger’s Syndrome to understand their own emotions. They have a very hard time reading the emotions of others as well. This can be a very frustrating place for a child to be and helping him to learn how to identify these emotions can be very beneficial for your child. Understand that it will be difficult for your child to learn how to identify emotions. He’ll first need to have a frame of reference. In her book, “What’s That Look on Your Face?