My ASD Child

Teaching students with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism (HFA) who also experience social anxiety in the classroom WILL be challenging. School can be difficult for these special needs students without the anxiety issue, but it is especially difficult for the anxious child on the spectrum.    If you are a parent or teacher of an anxious student with the disorder, knowing how to encourage and foster a good environment for learning is paramount. There is no one sign that indicates that an HFA student has social anxiety. However, some common signs include: appearing very anxious when the center of attention being constantly alone in the playground clinging crying for no apparent reason devoting an excessive amount of time to the computer experiencing severe anxiety about tests and quizzes freezing for no apparent reason frequent claims of illness so as to avoid going to school having no friends, or having only one friend hovering on the edge of groups not joining in

"Any suggestions on how to teach my child [on the autism spectrum] how to play with other children his age without causing arguments and upsetting them. He has to have things go his way or he gets very controlling and nasty."   Young people with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) often have trouble with social interactions. Understanding what someone is saying and being able to react to it quickly and appropriately is critical to being part of a conversation. But some kids on the autism spectrum can’t do that without help. These kids also tend to have difficulty taking and waiting for turns, playing by the rules, and reacting appropriately if they're not winning. But that doesn't mean that the youngster who is different socially can't be included. Your son or daughter can learn the social etiquette of play, how to avoid and resolve conflicts, and how to show some empathy. Techniques to help teach your child how to get along with peers during "play": 1

"Why is my 6-year-old son (high functioning autistic) so engrossed in Minecraft, and how can I tell if it is an unhealthy obsession rather than just a fun time activity for him?" The intensity and duration of the child’s interest in a particular topic, object or collection is what determines whether or not it has become an “obsession.” Children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism (HFA) will often learn a lot about a thing they are obsessed with, be intensely interested in it for a long time, and feel strongly about it. There are several reasons why these kids may develop obsessions, including: they can get a lot of enjoyment from learning about a particular subject or gathering together items of interest those who find social interaction difficult might use their special interests as a way to start conversations and feel more self-assured in social situations obsessions may help children cope with the uncertainties of daily life obsessions may help children

As the years go by, are you seeing your ASD child rapidly becoming reduced to a person who is surviving on: anger, being a mistake, depression, hate, isolation, low self-esteem, resentment, sadness and self-hate. Have you heard your teenager say things like: I'm a mistake. I'm dumb. I'm useless. I hate myself. I wish I was dead. What is wrong with me? Why was I born? If so, then alarm bells should be going off. You know changes need to happen! Low self-esteem and behavioral problems go hand-in-hand!!! ==> Click here for parenting strategies that matter!