Teenagers with Aspergers and Transition
Hi there and welcome to this week’s blog article about Teenagers with Aspergers and Transition. Here it is …
Question
My child is a teenager with Asperger’s. How do I transition him into adulthood?
Answer
No doubt that this is an exciting time in your home. Your child with Asperger’s has reached the age of college and career. Your hard work has paid off after years of special education, therapy and family support. Congratulations on a job well done!
Now you get to move on to the next phase in life. You’ve given your child a good strong foundation and you want to continue to help. If you haven’t yet, researching adult Asperger’s is a good place to begin this transition.
As more kids are growing up under the Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis than ever before, the need for family and community resources are increasing. If you search the Internet, you will find articles, books, videos, and support groups all geared directly to the Asperger’s adult.
The video “Asperger Syndrome: Transition to College and Work” by Coulter Video is a good starting point. This video delivers just what the title suggests practical help for the transition into adulthood.
Once you’ve researched and read up on the basics, find local resources for support and information applicable to your community. Job skills classes, teen and/or adult Asperger’s support meetings, career counseling, and independent living options can all be found on the local level. Tap into these sources to receive much needed planning assistance and support for both of you.
Encourage your child to pursue his dreams. If college seems too overwhelming, suggest a local community college. Your teen can live at home, fully supported by family, while obtaining a college degree. Plus, the community college will have disability support services that can be used for additional assistance.
A vocational training school is another option to think about. Close to home, these programs are geared towards adults looking for a career certificate. Computer technology classes, welding, auto repair, and air-conditioning technology are common vocational school possibilities. In less than two years, your teen could be certified in an area of interest that also pays well.
The opportunity to live at home and continue the education process will give your teen time to make choices and decisions regarding life skills. All the research you do now can be utilized over the years while your teen achieves his post-high school goals, giving you both a better transition into the adult years.
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Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community
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My son with Aspergers doesn’t want to eat at school. What can I do?
Eating problems are very common in children with Asperger’s Syndrome. There can be a variety of issues that cause a child to deny themselves food. Digestive problems, social discomfort, and behavioral problems are all real and possible concerns when it comes to the nutrition of the child with Asperger’s. Since your question specifically asks about eating at school, these problems are probably not the cause. If any of these issues were present, your son would show an aversion to eating at other times and not just at school. The likely cause of your son’s aversion is …
To read the full article go to: -
http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/430.cfm
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How can I get help with respite/child care for my child with Aspergers?
There’s no question about the love you feel for your child, but let’s face it. Caring for a child with Asperger’s Syndrome can get stressful, tiring, and lonely. When you find yourself avoiding social situations because you’re uncomfortable leaving your child, it’s time to find an alternative plan. You can’t spend 100% of your time caring for others without time to care for yourself. When preparing to take a plane trip, the flight crew reminds the passengers to apply their own oxygen masks before assisting others. In other words, you will be worthless unless you take care of yourself first …
To read the full article go to: -
http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/429.cfm
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Where can I find psychologists who have expertise in Asperger’s Syndrome?
Whether you are trying to get an evaluation for a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, or trying to build a support team for a child who has already been diagnosed with Asperger’s, it is necessary to include a good psychologist. A psychologist with experience in Autism spectrum or Asperger’s will be a vital member of your child’s medical team. Finding a specialist can be a bit difficult unless you know where to look …
To read the full article go to: -
http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/428.cfm
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