Posts

Parenting Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

Image
==>  Discover the Behavior-Modification SECRETS Used by Therapists Who Work in the Field of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Addressing the Root Causes of Disobedience in Kids on the Autism Spectrum

Image
“How can I get my 9 y.o. son (high functioning autistic ) to obey and do as he's told? He won't do his homework and refuses to clean his room. He is defiant and talks back. When we try to discuss these problems with him in a peaceful, mature manner, he usually ends up getting angry and yells at us. And with the recent start of summer school, things have gotten much worse. What are we doing wrong?” Unfortunately, disobedience is an issue more common in High-Functioning Autism (HFA) than in the general population. It can occur for numerous reasons. For example, anxiety, low-frustration tolerance, sensory sensitivities, social skills deficits, difficulty understanding emotions and their impact on others, when rituals can’t get accomplished, when the youngster's need for order or symmetry can’t be met… just to name a few. Thus, it’s important to understand that in many cases, the child’s oppositional behavior may be a symptom of some underlying issue related to his or

Meltdowns and the 9 Temperaments of Children with Asperger's and HFA

Image
A meltdown appears to most parents as a tantrum. However, a meltdown has more to do with the child's temperament, whereas a tantrum has more to do with the child's anger at not getting his or her way. There are nine different temperaments in children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism (HFA): 1. Poor Adaptability : This shows itself when Asperger's and HFA children resist, shut down, and become passive-aggressive when asked to change activities. Change in routine is very difficult for kids on the spectrum. 2. Negative Persistent: This is seen when the Asperger's or HFA youngster seems stuck in his or her whining and complaining. This occurs because he or she hasn't learned any other way to deal with frustration yet. 3. Negative Mood: This is found when Asperger's and HFA children appear lethargic, sad and lack the energy to perform a task. 4. Low-Sensory Threshold: This is evident when the youngster complains about tight clo