Promoting Independence in Aspergers Teenagers
Posted: Tuesday, January 25, 2011
by Dave Angel
http://www.parentingaspergers.com
Aspergers teenagers usually need a lot of support before then can develop independence. Many details will need to be taught to your Aspergers teen that will not have to be explained to most typical children. Dealing with money, cleaning up after oneself, doing laundry and other life skills will be needed once your teenager leaves home. Interpersonal skills, like how to talk to service people, shop assistants and others will need to be concretely taught and practiced before your teen goes out on their own.
Some Aspergers children will be loners, having few friends and focusing on one or more hobbies or preoccupations. This type of child is independent is some ways, but still lacks maturity that is required in day-to-day living. A loner needs to be encouraged to go out and make friends so they are participants in the world, rather than retreating from it. Other parents may not have Aspergers teenagers with isolation problems. Their main issue may be the presence of rituals and obsessions that can interfere with their teenager's eventual independence. Psychotherapy might work in this kind of situation but there are also medications designed to control ritual behavior. Getting this under control in the teen years will go a long way to help them as adults. Holding down jobs and generally functioning in society is a challenge for obsessive-compulsive adults.
Depression can develop in these years for Aspergers teenagers and they should be watched closely for indications of this. Knowing they don't fit in and suffering from poor self-esteem can lead to depression. Be proactive about the use of psychotherapy or medications that can control some of the symptoms of depression. This means that as a parent, you need to be aware of excess isolation, dark language, outbursts of anger or even self-mutilation. Help is available and can be useful in resolving some of the conflicts unique to adolescents who have Aspergers Syndrome. As Aspergers teenagers begin to become more independent and functioning out in society on their own, it can be helpful to recruit some additional support. Look for people out in the community such as co-workers, therapists or case managers. These people can help to provide support in different settings and reduce your teenager's overall stress and anxiety.
Although it can be difficult at times (and often a thankless task!) to help your teenager with Aspergers to develop their independence skills, it is worthwhile pursuing. By working on essential life skills with them, you are helping them to develop their future prospects in life.
Dave Angel is a Social Worker and has been helping parents of Teenagers with Aspergers online for over four years. Get your free report 'Secrets to Parenting your Child with Aspergers' Guide at www.parentingaspergers.com/blog
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