Question

I’d like to know how to stimulate my son with Aspergers in concentrating on the mundane tasks that you have to do every day to make life run more smoothly (ie putting away your pe kit when the lesson has finished, remembering to take home the letters they give you at school, putting away your tooth brush, folding your clothes then you want to wear them the next day).

Answer

Daily living skills are a necessity for an uncomplicated life.  Unfortunately, children with Asperger’s Syndrome find it difficult to understand this concept, which means these basic skills do not always come naturally.  It is very important that children with Asperger’s are taught these basic living skills to ensure that school and home life goes as smoothly as possible.

There are several approaches a parent can use to teach their child with Asperger’s Syndrome basic daily living skills.  To maximize results, try mixing up different approaches to give added exposure to the concepts you are teaching.  Here are some ideas to get you started.

*    Written lists can be very effective for older children, teens, and adults.  This can be a to-do list or even a daily calendar.   This list should be very detailed and contain step-by-step instructions for everything that should be done each day.  Remember that some items on the list may need to be explained several times before it becomes automatic.

*    Visual schedules or picture schedules can be used for very young children, as well as older children and teens.   A visual schedule has each daily task broken down into individual pictures for each step.  These pictures can be placed in strips that show the task from start to finish.  Each task will have its own strip.  This method will also call for explanation or demonstration until the task becomes automatic.

*    Videos are an excellent tool for teaching children with Asperger’s Syndrome.  With videos, the child can see, hear, and perform the task.  This helps integrate the skill by using multi-sensory processing.  Able videos are an excellent resource for teaching skills such as hygiene, dressing, and chores.  Click here to find out more about the Able Individual Learning Videos (DVD and VHS)

*    Modeling is probably the most natural method of teaching that parents use.  By modeling the desired skill for your child, you are showing your child what, when, where, how, and why a particular skill is important.  Parents should use this method in addition to any other methods chosen.  More than likely, you are modeling for your child with Asperger’s Syndrome without even thinking about it!

The keys to teaching your child with Asperger’s Syndrome the basic skills for living is to remember to break these skills down into simple steps, use as many senses as possible to teach these skills, and to teach as you go, modeling the skills needed to live an efficient, successful life.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel

Here’s the latest articles that I’ve added to The Parenting Aspergers Community…

Yyou can access access these resources and over 200 other specialist Aspergers Resources for just $1 (14 Day Trial) – http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/public/639.cfm

1. My son is 10 years old with Aspergers and we live the UK. My son is due to have his sex education in the summer term. As you know this subject is very tricky for a child with AS. It would be useful to have advice which we could pass onto our child’s teacher regarding teaching this subject to a child with AS. I don’t think at present the educational system knows how to approach the subject for a child with AS and as we know it must be presented with help on the social issues side as the child WILL take everything as literal.

Sex education can be difficult for children and it can be very hard for children with Asperger’s Syndrome. You are right to be concerned about what your child will learn and how he interpret what he is going to be taught. . . .

2. My son is three and has just been diagnosed with aspergers, he’s a textbook case apparently, and he is increasingly violent. Everywhere that I have read it says it’s anxiety and that I should try to eliminate the stress. For him it is seeing his father, who he barely knows, at his father’s place surrounded by people he doesn’t know. His violence is getting worse and harder to manage. He was ok, still a little violent but never as bad a meltdown as we have now, when the visits were at our place and he knew I was around. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be doing in this case or what is best for my son. How do I help him cope with this? I can’t find any information on this topic so I don’t know what to do?

It seems that your son’s anxiety stems from his visits to his father, who he barely knows. These visits are difficult for him and this is creating behaviors that are hard to manage. There may be a few ways to handle this situation . ..

3. Aspergers Video – Do I really have Aspergers Syndrome?

In this video a young girl asks the question, “Do I really have Asperger’s”? In the process of obtaining a diagnosis, this girl decided to record her thoughts and feelings. She begins telling her story from infancy, when her parents first realized she was special. This is a refreshing video because of the girl’s focus on her strengths. There is some talk about sensory issues near the end, but overall a positive recount of the girl’s younger years. Running Time: 9 minutes, 23 seconds . .

4. How do I get my 6 year old daughter with Aspergers Syndrome to want to go to school?
For children with Asperger’s Syndrome, school can be a very negative environment. Children can be callous; any outward signs of being different will draw unwanted attention. Not wanting to go to school is a very common complaint among children with Asperger’s Syndrome. . .

5. Aspergers Behavior – What are your thoughts on ‘punishment/consequences’ for deliberately oppositional behaviour; is it okay for example to send a child with Aspergers to his room or remove a privilege?

While no one can say that all children react in deliberate oppositional manner, the truth is that most kids do behave in ways, at times, that will shock, puzzle, or completely embarrass his parents. A child will behave in a manner that results in the most attention. . . Not wanting to go to school is a very common complaint among children with Asperger’s Syndrome. . .

6. How can I help my child with Aspergers control his negative behaviors (besides deep breathing) once they have started?

For many kids with Asperger’s, behaviors that leave a negative impact are common. Outbursts, meltdowns, and other negative behaviors interfere with daily life causing problems at school and at home. The best way to control these negative behaviors is to understand what triggers them in the first place. . . .

YOU can access access these resources and over 200 other specialist Aspergers Resources for just $1 (14 Day Trial) – http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/public/639.cfm