Teens Coping With Asperger's Syndrome
The teen years are challenging enough without having to deal with being labeled eccentric or odd by your peers.
Teens are dealing with the body changes of puberty, the increasing sexual hormones, and a thinking process that
changes from that of a child to that of an adult having to deal with abstract ideas, the emerging social scene that
means new people, new experiences, and a need for maturity to be able to handle it all. Communication is very
critical for survival in the teen years and those with Asperger's Syndrome have difficulty with non-verbal
communication and with being able to relate to others. During the teen years it is important for a teen to be able
to fit in and belong to a group. With those teens that have Asperger's Syndrome the ability to fit in is hampered
by the inability to communicate effectively with others. In an effort to fit in those teens that have Asperger's
Syndrome may do things out of character just to gain approval from peers, hide their weaknesses and exaggerate
their strengths to look important and to impress others. It is sometimes easier for the teen with Asperger's
Syndrome to deal with those who are younger or older than they are instead of trying to fit into same age
crowds.
Teens showing anxiety for social situations as those with Asperger's Syndrome often do, may respond well to
anti-anxiety medication and be able to function better in school because of the medication.
It is during the teen years that the individual with Asperger's Syndrome comes to realize that they are
different from others and the knowledge may initiate going through stages of loss and acceptance much like the
stages of grief including anger, denial, depression, acceptance, and finally the stage where they begin to adapt to
their differences and embrace them instead of being ashamed of them.
Parents, teachers and caregivers of the teen with Asperger's Syndrome can facilitate the acceptance and
management of the condition by not bringing up the subject unless the teen initiates it, and when it is discussed
giving the teen your best, "listening ear", being patient and non-judgmental. Try not to change the subject on the
teen, or to minimize the difficulties that the teen is facing. Keep the conversation real and don't allow the teen
to exaggerate the circumstances. Gently suggest counseling, as a means for letting the teen express what he or she
is experiencing.
Remember when trying to gently persuade a teen to seek professional help it is best to remember that those with
Asperger's Syndrome are very literal. Sometimes ideas such as getting into counseling are received better if they
come from a peer, family friend, or someone else that the teen trust other than a parent because as we all know
teens are trying to separate their identity from that of their parents.
Because other conditions may be associated with that of Asperger's Syndrome such as depression, anxiety, and
bipolar disorder pay close attention for signs of these conditions such as being sad most of the time, being
irritable or angry without provocation, not being able to sleep well because of difficulty getting or staying
asleep, eating habits that change, and the teen putting themselves down or making remarks about hating life, or
wishing he or she were dead. Teens that withdrawal from those they love or activities that they love should also be
monitored closely.
Organizations such as the Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the U.S. and the Autism Society of America have local
chapters that you can join which may help to deal with the teen going through the turbulent years of adolescence
while having Asperger's Syndrome.
Teens with Asperger's Syndrome like all other teens will be noticing sexuality development and will need to deal
with new social situations and with raging hormones. Communicate to your teen messages about safe sex and how to
relate to the person of the opposite sex in appropriate ways using step-by-step explanations avoiding overwhelming
them with the "big picture".
Asperger's Syndrome in Laymens Terms
Your Child and Aspergers Syndrome
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