My ASD Child

"Is aggression typically a trait of teens with ASD? I'm a single parent and my 17 y.o. son is becoming more verbally and physically aggressive and I do not know if this will escalate to dangerous levels."   Adolescents with ASD (high-functioning autism) are often not found to be physically aggressive unless they feel threatened in some manner.    For some young people on the spectrum, aggression may become quite common when reaching adolescence, and this may be clearly influenced by the parenting styles of the mother and/or father.    Also, if your son is on the receiving end of teasing, bullying and peer-rejection at school, then aggression and shutdowns can be expected either at home or school (or both).   One of the key factors in determining an ASD youngster's tendency to develop aggression later in life may involve the presence of a maternally sensitive woman who can balance the discipline and aggression in life. In many of today's families, it is not

9-Part Series for Teachers of Students with ASD: Part 1: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 2: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 3: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 4: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 5: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 6: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 7: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 8: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  Part 9: Teaching Strategies for ASD Students  ==>  Teaching Students with Aspergers and High Functioning Autism

  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.”