My ASD Child

==> Discipline for Defiant Aspergers & High-Functioning Autistic Teens

Question My son doesn’t seem to understand others’ nonverbal messages, and he isn’t very good at sending clear nonverbal messages either. Are there ways to teach nonverbal communication? Answer Children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and Asperger's appear to experience a lack of reciprocity in social interactions. This means the child does not fully understand nonverbal communication (e.g., gestures, facial expressions, etc.) and may continue a conversation even though the person he is talking to is confused about - or disinterested in - the subject matter. In addition, the child may not use nonverbal communication himself, and as a result, may appear expressionless in most conversations or interactions with others. There are lots of ways you can help your son improve his nonverbal communication skills by playing simple games. Here are some ideas to help him improve his understanding of nonverbal messages: 1. Find some old magazines and ask your son to

Question How can I help my 14-year-old child with high functioning autism to handle disappointments? Almost on a daily basis, he feels mistreated by one of his friends, or something at school doesn’t go just right, or he gets into trouble here at home and receives an undesirable consequence. I don’t want to send him into a depression – but at the same time, I want him to be more resilient and responsible. Also, I’ve heard you talk about how we, as parents of autistic children, tend to be over-protective – and the damage that we do as a result of this kind of parenting. Is there some way I can help him without being over-protective? Answer If there is one lesson that no parent enjoys teaching their youngster, it is “the art of getting over disappointment.” This is partly because no one likes to be disappointed or have their hopes shattered—but it is a raw and honest part of life. Figuring out how to teach our High-Functioning Autistic (HFA) and Asperger's kids this les