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