Promoting Independence in Adolescence: Help for Teenagers on the Autism Spectrum
"Now that my son with high functioning autism has become a teenager, are there things that I should be doing now to prepare him for adulthood?" The teen years can be difficult whether or not your child has High-Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger's (AS). In situations where he does, however, there are special challenges that differ depending on the child. Some parents find themselves dealing with a teenager who is a loner, who has few friends, and focuses on one or more hobbies or preoccupations. This type of child is independent in some ways, but lacks the maturity to truly be independent in life. A teen like this needs to be pushed in the direction of finding friends and developing relationships. ==> Launching Adult Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance He or she may also need to learn some of the specific things necessary for “life independence,” like how to deal with money, cleaning up after ones