Isolation in Teens with ASD Level 1: Antisocial Behavior or Self-Preservation?
“Should we be concerned about our 14 year old (high functioning) son’s lack of social interaction and his time spent sitting at home mostly just on his phone. He refused to play a school sport and is resistant to joining any clubs or volunteering. Besides the times he is doing things with his dad and the occasional skateboarding, he is mostly just hiding in his room.” As long as your son doesn’t appear to be depressed, then it would be best to drop it. One thing you need to understand about young people on the autism spectrum is that their “isolation” (i.e., spending lots of time alone) has more to do with self-preservation than being “antisocial.” Let me use the following analogy: Think of children as having their own internal batteries. Most neurotypical children (i.e., those not on the spectrum) get their batteries recharged by associating with peers. When they are home by themselves for any length of time, they get bored and lonely. In other words, their batteries become