The prevalence of Asperger’s Syndrome in children isn’t accurately known, but parents of children with the syndrome have a tough road to travel throughout the years. Typically, Asperger’s is detected in children at a young age. Common signs of the syndrome include social communication issues, obsessive tendencies, and problems empathizing with others. For the most part, people usually attribute simple awkwardness to children with Asperger’s. Parents, however, usually end up finding out about their child’s problem through a visit to the doctor. Asperger’s is a lot like autism, but they are not exactly the same thing. Either way, parents have a lot to deal with if they have a child with Asperger’s. Certain things can be done to help the child develop more normally and to assist the parent with other things.
Don’t baby your child.
Asperger’s isn’t an excuse for a parent to baby their child. In fact, you will only be harming your child by being more lenient with them than you would a normal child. A young person with Asperger’s might have difficulties functioning just like anyone else, but they are not feeble beings. No parent should give their child with Asperger’s too much special treatment. In the end, this could make your child think that they deserve everything they want and can get whatever they desire. Of course, you should play a nurturing and caring role in your child’s life, but there is such thing as taking it too far. Bending over backwards for your child is helping nobody with anything, so don’t fall into that trap. Your child will develop much better if you nurture them with a somewhat stern hand as opposed to babying them by holding their hand for fifty years.
Social awkwardness can be helped to some degree.
Fortunately, it is possible to improve a child’s social skills, even if they have Asperger’s Syndrome. You can attempt to teach your child social skills, but it takes a great amount of time. Since your child won’t develop these things on their own throughout the first few years of their lives, you have to teach them every single thing. However, you could also send your son or daughter to classes where a trained professional can help them out. Which option you choose to go with will depend upon how severe your child’s social skills are affected by Asperger’s. No matter what, you should take solace in knowing that your child’s lack of social development can be helped. Some signs of the syndrome may remain in social situations, but it is possible to greatly improve your child’s interactions in said settings.
Your child needs to make friends.
Many children with Asperger’s have difficulties making friends with their peers, but it is completely possible. In reality, no child should lack friends because that can lead to a bunch of development issues. The fact of the matter is that everyone needs a friend or two at the very least. Anyways, you should always encourage your child to make friends at school or anywhere they can. As a parent, you can only assist your child so much with making friends. Setting up a play date with the neighbor kid or someone like that isn’t a bad idea. Another option you have is to introduce your son or daughter to another child with Asperger’s. Obviously, you might not know anyone with the syndrome, but you might be able to find someone that has kids with it. Children with Asperger’s tend to get along more smoothly with similar children, so it’s worth a shot.
Know that there is plenty of room for improvement.
Children with Asperger’s may have plenty of issues during their childhood, but it is possible for their symptoms to improve. In fact, some children with the disorder will “grow out of it” by the time they become adults. What this means is that some kids with Asperger’s who get retested as adults will no longer be classified with the syndrome. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have it anymore, but it does show that they have improved greatly in various areas. Social skills and empathy issues can be improved or resolved over lengthy periods of time, so your child won’t necessarily be the same as they are now when they turn 20 or 30 years-old. Don’t worry for your child’s future too much because many people with Asperger’s grow up to live nearly normal lives – a few social or language issues might persist, but that’s better than nothing (a lot better!).
Become educated on Asperger’s Syndrome.
Some parents have a hard time coping with the fact that their child has a disorder. Sadly, parents may find that they just can’t handle their child. However, the best thing a parent can do for their child with Asperger’s is to become education. A parent that knows more about the syndrome will be able to help their child out and better cope with the syndrome’s existence. In the end, a parent with knowledge can do a lot more for their child than one without any education. Asperger’s is a complex subject, so no parent should ignore their child’s issues. Luckily, Asperger’s has become more and more recognized in recent years. Therefore, there are plenty of resources for parents who want to know what is going on with their child. Don’t ignore these resources!
Remember that you have your own life too.
At the end of the day, you may have a child with Asperger’s that takes up all of your time and energy. You have to remember, however, that you have your own life to live. Honestly, you can’t spend 100% of your time with your child because you need to have some time for yourself. Parents of children with Asperger’s are likely to feel burned out on a constant basis, which only underscores the fact that they should take a break every so often. You just can’t put your own life on hold – no matter what is wrong with your child. Obviously, parents want to care for their children, but they can’t do that if they are constantly exhausted. So then, you occasionally need to take a day to yourself and enjoy life. Don’t ignore your child, but stick them with a babysitter or something. Take the occasional day off from being a parent like any other adult would. In all honesty, your child isn’t going to benefit from your nurturing if you are constantly exhausted.
Asperger’s is complicated.
By now, you have probably recognized that fact. This article is in no way meant to be a scientific read or anything like that. The previously mentioned paragraphs are just a few tips to help your child with Asperger’s, tips to help yourself (as a parent of said child), and an informative bit of information. Without a doubt, Asperger’s is extremely complicated even though the basics are easy to understand. Helping your child with the syndrome is no easy task, yet you should do the best job you can to help them out. Severity of Asperger’s symptoms usually decrease over time, but that doesn’t mean that you or your child will have an easy path to travel.
More Information
Information on Asperger’s
www.webmd.com/brain/autism/mental-health-aspergers-syndrome
Asperger’s Facts
www.suite101.com/content/20-facts-about-aspergers-syndrome-in-children-a105421
