Q: I am concerned about my 13-year-old son. He was recently evaluated and diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, and really struggles socially. He isolates himself from other kids and sometimes gets bullied at school. How can I help him?
A: People with Asperger’s Syndrome often have characteristics that make social interactions particularly difficult. Social isolation can result from a lack of intuitive understanding of the rules of social behavior. Since many youngsters with Asperger’s can give an impression of fragile vulnerability and immaturity or tend to be eccentric, they can become easy targets for bullies at school. You can help him learn skills other people know intuitively like reading the meanings of others’ facial expressions and physical gestures, as well as how to analyze social situations. The use of pictures that illustrate facial expressions and social situations as well as viewing and discussing interactions in films may prove to be valuable. A great local resource is the Coachella Valley Autism Society of America. They help families become educated about Autism Spectrum Disorder, and help you network with other parents and professionals who specialize in Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome (www.coachellavalleyautism.org). You should also contact the Inland Regional Center (www.inlandrc.org), which provides services and support to children and adults with developmental disabilities.
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