My ASD Child

Question I'm curious about messy eating and chewing on stuff ...pencils, toys, paper, wood ...you name it, he'll put it in his mouth. Answer Eating non-food items is referred to as pica. These items may include, but are not limited to dirt, paint chips, coffee grounds, hair, paper, sand, and cigarettes. For a true diagnosis of pica, the child should be craving and eating these things for at least a month. Although common in infants and toddlers, most children outgrow pica by the time they are about three years old. Pica is also more common with other disorders, such as autism, and other developmental disabilities. 10 to 20% of children may suffer from pica at some point during childhood. Pica is also common during pregnancy. Though, the specific cause of pica is unknown, there are a lot of theories prevalent trying to explain its cause. Most commonly it is suspected that emotional disturbance and deficiencies of iron or zinc may lead to this condition (H

"Why does my Aspergers teen reject everything I say? Why is he so argumentative and defiant?" These are some of the many questions you, as a parent of a rebellious Aspergers (high-functioning autistic) teen, might be asking yourself right now. The teenage years can be a very rough time for both the teen and the parent – especially when you consider the challenges that are part of the Aspergers condition. Why do Aspergers teens rebel? It's normal for any teenager to show a little bit of rebellion now and again. However, teenage rebellion that is constant, interferes with normal daily functioning, and is destructive calls for much more attention. Aspergers teens rebel for a variety of reasons: Peer pressure - Some forms of rebellion can begin with pressure from peers to join in various destructive behaviors. Independence - These years are a constant struggle between dependence and independence. Rebellious adolescents want to have total independence and pr

Older Aspergers (high functioning autistic) kids (19-years-old and up) are moving back home – or have never left! Why is this?  Between a troubled economy, crushing student loan debt, and social skills deficits that are part of the Aspergers condition, grown Aspergers kids are moving home at ever-increasing rates – or they have never left! It's hardly surprising that a mixture of emotions (e.g., anger, anxiety, and possibly joy) flows when junior moves back home. If you're still trying to decide if this step is right for you, the "Are You Ready for a Refilled Nest?" quiz may help (located at the bottom of this article). But if you've already taken the plunge, it may be helpful to understand where the boomerang trend and its accompanying emotions are coming from, and the issues most likely to arise. House Rules— Moms and dads love their children. They want the best for them. When they see their children clearly making mistakes and bad choices, the