| In this article I will outline many of the | | | | impossible), create a plan that uses these |
| most common characteristics to be found in | | | | unusual interests as a reward for completed |
| children with Aspergers syndrome together | | | | tasks. For example if you ask the child to |
| with a simple explanation of why they behave | | | | complete a task that he/she is familiar with |
| in this way, and some advice with how to cope | | | | and in which he/she can be successful. Then |
| with their behavior. Firstly children with | | | | give him time on the interest as a reward. |
| Aspergers Syndrome often display | | | | This way your child will learn to manage and |
| self-stimulating behaviors, i.e. rubbing | | | | control the obsession better. |
| their hands together, as a coping mechanism. | | | | |
| This is usually seen during stressful times | | | | The child with Aspergers Syndrome can't cope |
| and serves to help them calm down or regulate | | | | easily with transitions and changes. They |
| their systems. It is not done as a means of | | | | need to know what is expected of them at all |
| acting out against others, but usually a | | | | times, as well as what to expect from the |
| response to changes in their environment that | | | | world around them. Shopping trips that are |
| they cannot effectively deal with. | | | | lengthy, when they have no prior knowledge of |
| | | | the expectations, are bound to fail. In order |
| The best way of minimizing these | | | | to make these trips out successful, it is |
| self-stimulating behaviors is to minimize | | | | best to start with very small, quick trips. |
| changes in their routine or provide them an | | | | Take the child with you to pick up one item. |
| escape in order to deal with those changes | | | | Prior to entering the store, tell them why |
| that must occur. Children with Aspergers | | | | you are there and what you are there to get. |
| syndrome thrive on routine and become easily | | | | Give them some "brief" cues on what will be |
| over-stimulated in the face of change that | | | | expected of them. If they start misbehaving |
| they cannot control and even though this | | | | in the store, remind them the trip is almost |
| behavior is considered to be inappropriate, | | | | over. After you have retrieved what you are |
| it may be the very thing they need. To simply | | | | there to buy, leave the store and reward them |
| demand that they discontinue the behavior is | | | | with verbal praise for their behavior, if it |
| likely to result in other behaviors | | | | was acceptable. It is important to reward |
| appearing, and those replacement behaviors | | | | behavior, even if it isn't perfect. They |
| may be even more difficult to deal with. | | | | want to succeed, especially when it comes to |
| Both you and the child will be better served | | | | fitting in. Only after several successful, |
| by allowing the child to participate in the | | | | short trips, should you try to increase the |
| behavior but try to limit the time spent | | | | time spent in the store. If there is |
| self-stimming. However, the child with | | | | inappropriate behavior, beyond what any child |
| Aspergers Syndrome is going to have a hard | | | | would do, simply leave the store and try |
| time fitting in, therefore teaching them | | | | again another day. You can prime the child |
| replacement behaviors that may be more | | | | for good behavior by making sure that they |
| appropriate in the community would suit them | | | | are not already over-stimulated when you go |
| even better. These replacement behaviors | | | | to the store. Some physical activity prior |
| have to serve the same purpose as the | | | | to a shopping trip can make for a more |
| self-stimulation behaviors did. | | | | successful venture. |
| | | | |
| It is very common for an individual with | | | | This article was written to provide you with |
| Aspergers to become fascinated by a special | | | | advice and information on how to manage some |
| interest that dominates the person's time. It | | | | of the difficulties exhibited by children |
| is important to recognize what the | | | | with Aspergers syndrome. Self stimulating |
| fascination may provide for this child before | | | | behaviors, obsessions and the inability to |
| attempting to eliminate it or control access | | | | cope with changes are among the most common |
| to it. The fascination or obsession may | | | | problems reported by parents and carers. By |
| provide the order and consistency he/she | | | | recognizing and understanding the nature of |
| craves. It may also provide a method of | | | | these problems you are more than half way to |
| relaxation. Rather than try to eliminate | | | | solving them and developing better |
| these altogether (which is almost | | | | relationships with your Aspergers child. |