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