10 things that all children with Asperger’s should know
I often get asked by parents how to prepare your child for adult life.
A massive topic. But for today here’s 10 things that all children with Asperger’s should know:
- How to set an alarm and wake up with the alarm.
This needs to be taught in two phases.
Phase one is getting them to use the alarm to wake them up in the morning. Of course when you are setting the alarm at night, you will show your son or daughter exactly what you are doing. When they have gotten comfortable with waking to the alarm then you move to getting them to set the alarm on their own.
- How to figure out how long it takes to complete an activity.
There are places online to purchases timers that “will show time” going by so that your children see time.
Start using the timer with the different basic parts of your child’s day; i.e. homework, getting ready in the morning, showering, etc.
- How to groom yourself properly.
Remember asking if they have brushed their teeth, did you put on deodorant, etc.
This is where making special reminder notes for in their bedroom, bathroom, and other key places in the house could come in handy.
- How to keep up with their personal property.
A lot of kids can be really good at setting things down and walking away from them.
If this applies to your child: You can start telling them if and when they leave the house and they have something in his hands that they has to keep out with it.
Tell them you will not carry it or keep up with it for them. Then ask if they really need to take the item with him.
- How to use visual cues.
These can be post it notes, a wall calendar to write reminders, programming your cell phone to give you a reminder, or any other number of ways to help someone remember to do something. The key is finding what works best for your child.
- How to cook.
I’ve read this one several times before. Not only in articles about moving on after high school, but in general from other parental advice.Start small and make it a learning experience.
- How to use the phone and take a message correctly.
These should start out with basic calls and messages. If there is a sensory issue with phone noise, try using a speaker phone option. That will help cut down on sensory issues with your children’s ears.
- How to go places by themselves.
This has to be an age appropriate activity and with safety issues within your living area. Once you have addressed those two issues then you can proceed to determine if walking somewhere, riding a bicycle, or taking public transportation somewhere.
- How to leave the house with necessary items they need.
Making sure that they have a cell phone, wallet, keys, money, etc. All items that are necessary for going somewhere out in public.
- How to be safe.
This involves helping your children know who is OK to talk to and who is not. It also deals with knowing what kind of personal information to share with people and when to share it. Knowing how to behave in public and around strangers is part of this step.