Raising a child with a disability is hard. Raising a child with Asperger’s is doubly hard. Asperger’s Children have difficulty with social interactions. This difficulty often leaves them lonely and frustrated. As a parent, you first instinct is to jump in and be a buffer between your child and a world that does not easily accept differences. Yet, being a buffer is not always the answer. The following tips will help you and your child learn to cope with Asperger’s in a positive way.
Tip 1: Celebrate
Children with Asperger’s have an incredible sense of humor, are creative, and possess great passion for their interests. Celebrate these gifts. Keep in mind that your child is unique and what works for you will not always work for them.
Tip 2: Negotiation
Be prepared to model negotiation techniques. Asperger’s children do not deal well with inflexibility. They need to learn how to negotiate in order to not feel out of control.
Tip 3: Plan
When introducing your Asperger’s child to something new, make a plan and discuss it with them. Asperger’s children need to know what to expect. Once you have a plan and your child knows what to expect, do not deviate from it. You will deal with fewer meltdowns if your child knows everything in advance.
Tip 4: Time Frame
Remember when doing anything with your child that Asperger’s children have only one reference for time: Now. These children recognize only now. For them, the future does not exist and the past serves no practical purpose.
Tip 5: Visuals
Asperger’s children respond quite well to visuals. Make your child a chart to show them what to do. As long as deviation is not made from the path, your child will generally follow what you expect.
Tip 6: Fingerprint
Asperger’s children are sometimes runners. When frustration and anxiety build up, their instinct is to get away from the problem. Take your child down to your local police station and introduce your child. Get your child fingerprinted and photographed for those times when extreme meltdowns occur or they run and the police become involved.
Coping with Asperger’s is not impossible. Difficult, yes, but not impossible.There are a good number of resources available to you. With these tips and others that you will develop on your own, you have a good start on keeping a positive outlook.