Hi there,

Welcome to this week’s blog post about social skills training, therapy and Aspergers; here it is …

Question

What therapy is available for a child with Aspergers on social skills training?

Answer

We take social skills for granted.  We just assume that everyone learns to handle socialization in the same way, on the same level, and at the same timeframe.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We’re all different, live in different environments, and learn different skills according to our surroundings.  When we come across an individual with poor social skills we assume that person has had no home training, has been isolated or worse, neglected by the family.  Sometimes there are real reasons for the lack of social skills.  One of those reasons is Asperger’s Syndrome.

People with Asperger’s Syndrome have trouble with social interaction.  They have to be taught social skills like most people learn the alphabet-exposure and rote drill.  One of the most common ways to teach social skills to people with Asperger’s is social skills therapy.

If you search for information on social skills therapy, you will find that there are several different approaches available.  Group therapy, individual therapy, school therapy, and home therapy are a few avenues to explore.

Group therapy is often conducted with a small number of people with Asperger’s.  The therapist will help lead a group discussion and allow time for practicing one-on-one conversation starters.

Individual therapy can be performed by an occupational therapist, psychologist or social worker who has developed insight into the needs of people with Asperger’s.  The therapist will assist the client in areas of weakness which could be as basic as eye contact in the beginning.

School therapy is usually similar to any other group social skills therapy.  The students are grouped according to age and ability and utilize games to help with playing together and basic social conversation, among other goals.

Home therapy is a program put together by the family, for the family.  Everyone participates and helps teach (and learn) social skills together.   There are books and videos that a family can use to create a home therapy program.

“Social Skills Activities for Special Children” by Darlene Mannix is a book that can be used in a home therapy program or other social skills therapy environments.   There are 142 lesson opportunities that will help teach basic social skills in real-life situations.  The hands-on activities included will allow the child to work through and practice the skills being taught.  Using humor, the stories will draw the child in and allow for real, practical learning to take place.

Social skills are necessary for a person to function in the world.  Choose a program that is comfortable for you and your child.  Your goal is to give your child the skills he needs for independence.  Basic social skills therapy is a great place to start.

Thanks,

Dave Angel

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Articles posted this week at The Parenting Aspergers Community

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I really want to know what makes my son with Aspergers happy and I want to be able to help him with this. It is heartbreaking to watch a child who used to laugh and love learning, withdraw into himself and not know how to interact with peers.

Every parent’s dream is to watch their baby grow into a happy, well-adjusted child. You are right. It is heartbreaking to watch your child suffer. Thankfully, there are things you can do to get your son back on a happier, fulfilling course … To read the full article go to: –

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/383.cfm

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Even if my child with Aspergers is able to make friends how can I teach him what to do to keep them?

Relationships mean give and take. For most people, making friends and keeping them go hand in hand. For people with Asperger’s Syndrome, friendships on all levels can be difficult. Making friends is the easier concept. Human nature is all about making friends. Keeping friends is a whole different ball game …   To read this article go to: –

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/382.cfm

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I have a 15 year old son who 8 years ago, was diagnosed with Asperger’s. This information was only disclosed to me very recently. We have struggled for 8 years to find out what was wrong with our son. He has suffered great emotional stress and continues to suffer. We have since had several re-evaluations to confirm this diagnosis. My question is: What type of permanent damage has this caused my son and what type of treatment would you recommend? He is very angry and does not fully comprehend what is happening or why. He does not understand how a doctor he has seen since he was an infant and he trusted could have caused him so much pain. How do I make him understand that this was not his fault? He has become more withdrawn and now even refuses to go to school.

Struggling for years, only to discover the answer was just out of your reach must be devastating. Your whole family obviously feels betrayed by your son’s doctor. It is hard to imagine the reasoning of keeping your son’s Asperger’s diagnosis from you for such a long time. You can attempt to pacify your son on the issue, but people with Asperger’s are very rigid thinkers, seeing things as black and white with no gray tones. He may be difficult to sway in this situation … To read the full article go to: –

http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/members/380.cfm

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