My ASD Child

  Articles in Alphabetical Order: 2021   o    A Message to Older Teens and Young Adults with ASD o    Articles in Alphabetical Order: 2020 o    ASD [Level 1]: 15 Simple Strategies for Parents of... o    Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD o    Can my son with ASD truly understand love? o    Children on the Autism Spectrum and Behavioral Pro... o    Educating Students with ASD [Level 1]: Comprehensi... o    Employment Support for Employees with Autism Level 1 o    How Anxiety May Affect Your Autistic Child in Adul... o    How the Traits of ASD May Affect Relationships in ... o    How to Avoid "Negative Reinforcement": Tips for Pa... o    How to Create a Sensory Safe Haven for Your Child o    How to Diffuse Meltdowns in a Child on the Autism ... o    How to Help Your Adult Child to Find Employment o    How to Teach Organizational Skills to Kids on the ... o    Is ASD Just a Different Way of Thinking? o    Issues that Females on the Autism Spect

“I'd like to ask you about a very big problem for our autistic (high functioning) son - his perfectionism! Can you give me some advice on what to do about this issue, because I believe it is a major contributing factor to his never-ending anxiety, especially when doing his homework?” Although it may be hard to completely change a "special needs" youngster’s perfectionist nature, there are many things that parents can do to help their child find a better balance and not be so hard on himself. Please consider these suggestions: 1. The pressure to be perfect may stem from school (or other areas where perfectionism is exhibited) being the only place from where your son derives self-worth. Try to expand your son’s notion of his identity by finding activities for him to participate in that do not involve scoring or competition (i.e., activities that simply exist to feel good and have fun). 2. Regularly remind your son to “keep it simple” and “make it fun.”

Question We have a diagnosis of ASD from our pediatrician, but our counselor is telling me that she does not agree with the diagnosis because my son is very social with her and he always makes eye contact. He has ASD traits, and then some that are not: He has problems keeping friends. No boys, just has friends that are girls. Everything is black or white, there is no in between. Everything is taken in the literal sense. He does not understand that benefit him. Refuses to do school/homework statements like "I shouldnt have to make up that school work, it wasnt my fault that I broke my shoulder at school!" Dominates all conversations Targets music (very talented) and will hound relentlessly for you to hear him play at inappropriate times (mom on a business call) Doesnt understand jokes - gets offended because he thinks that they are directed at him in a negative way Does not try to fit in with others (has his own style - not intentially, but because he has no in

Question How do you get teenagers with ASD [level 1] to recognize that the social skills that you are trying to teach them (often to no avail) are imperative if they are to get on in life with regard to finding friends, a job etc.? Teens with ASD often seem in such a world of their own that they cannot appreciate the importance of those social skills. In our case, we have an adolescent who thinks that they are always right anyway and so see no need to modify their behavior. Answer The teen years can be a trying time for moms and dads and kids alike. As parents, we know that our adolescents have a lot of growing up to do. As adolescents, our kids cannot figure out how we made it to adulthood with so little knowledge and understanding!     The truth is, these years bring about difficult adjustments on both parties, and this happens whether or not you are dealing with ASD (high-functioning autism). Adolescents with ASD have lived through the elementary and middle schoo