| You want to find out more about Asperger's | | | | need; so are social workers specializing in coaching |
| Syndrome, which is more and more common these | | | | kids with learning disabilities.) |
| days. You are learning about what doctors are calling | | | | * Working with him yourself. Set aside 15 minutes a |
| the autism spectrum, which ranges from odd-normal | | | | day during Homework Time to play conversation |
| on the one hand to seriously impaired, especially | | | | games. |
| socially, on the other. You desperately want to help | | | | * Sending him to a special-needs school that will help |
| your child move toward normalcy on the spectrum. Do | | | | with this. I believe that mainstreaming the child without |
| not give up! It is quite possible that he can. You need to | | | | any support is not helpful. These children need careful |
| provide him with situations that will give him | | | | coaching on how to interact with others, and protection |
| self-confidence. If you don't, the world will deal him the | | | | from bullying.Speaking of bullying, this is one of the |
| opposite.Here's one key tip: if at all possible, teach your | | | | most damaging situations for your child's feelings of |
| child music. People on the autism spectrum often have | | | | self worth. Mainstreaming may just be exposing your |
| exceptional musical talent, even folks who have trouble | | | | child to negative interactions, not positive ones. If this is |
| speaking and learning. Perfect pitch is not particularly | | | | necessary for your situation, see if you can volunteer |
| rare for them. This will give you child a skill to excel in, | | | | at the school to be nearby, or get the school to hire a |
| or at least to enjoy, all his life. The problem may be to | | | | shadow for your child. Then talk to that person and tell |
| find a flexible teacher who is not intimidated by your | | | | him exactly what you want them to do: protect the |
| unusual student. Look for a professional music | | | | child from negative interactions with peers. Our culture |
| therapist, or someone with experience dealing with | | | | tolerates bullying and negative teasing, but both of |
| special needs folks. Requiring practicing every day can | | | | those will be damaging to your child.* Homeschooling |
| be built into your system of rewards for your child, a | | | | may be another option for you. There is plenty of |
| system you need to figure out. This reward system | | | | information on the Internet available for this. |
| will provide an incentive for doing chores and | | | | * You may be able to find a school that controls most |
| homework. The music lessons have worked well for | | | | peer interactions. This might be a private special-needs |
| my brother as well as my children.Your child probably | | | | school.In short, there are steps you can take to protect |
| tends to isolate himself, and may love to talk and talk | | | | your child's self-esteem. Be sure to take them!Phyllis |
| about one subject. Patience! During the middle school | | | | Wheeler has two children with Asperger's, one now an |
| years, your child will probably begin to be more aware | | | | adult. She |
| that he is being rejected socially. Finally, he may be | | | | also has a brother with high-functioning autism. A |
| motivated to try to change his ways! Look for this | | | | writer, |
| developmental stage, and when it arrives, do | | | | she |
| everything you can to teach your child social | | | | has assembled her parenting strategies in a ebook |
| acceptability.This might include: | | | | called Nurturing |
| * Social skills groups with other Aspies taught by a | | | | Your Asperger's Child. Sign up for five free |
| professional (Speech therapists are stepping into this | | | | newsletters! |