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Helping Resistant Kids on the Autism Spectrum with Transitions

A stopwatch or a timer can be an effective countdown tool for helping children with Asperger’s of High-Functioning Autism to transition to the next activity. While a digital timer may be an appropriate choice for older kids, it not be well suited for younger ones who need a clear, visual representation of time. That’s why the “Time Timer” works great.

Before you use the timer, let your youngster know what it’s for. Let him know that the timer keeps track of when he needs to switch activities (e.g., “When the timer goes off, it is time for you to stop playing your video game and get ready for bed”). When using the timer, it’s also important that you provide warning signals (e.g., ringing of a soft bell, gentle snapping of the fingers, etc.) when the time is almost over. This way, your youngster will be ready when the time runs out and will not feel surprised or rushed.

Here are our top picks for timing devices:

Time Timer Original 12 inch; 60 Minute Visual Analog Timer

Magnetic and Portable Time Management Tool

Time Timer Dry Erase Board

Time Timer Watch

Time Tracker Visual Timer & Clock

Time-Cube Timer, 5, 10, 20 and 30 Minutes for Time Management

Sand Timer - 6 Colors Hourglass Timer
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HFA and Asperger’s Kids Who Show No Remorse for Bad Behavior

“My 10 y.o. has been diagnosed recently with high functioning autism. The problem we're having is that he takes no responsibility for his behavior and shows no remorse when he does something wrong. Any ideas?”

It's important for children with ASD level 1, or High-Functioning Autism (HFA), to be raised in a home environment where parents have demanded personal accountability for their actions from a very young age. Yes, these children have “special needs,” and parents will need to make “accommodations” accordingly – but not “allowances”!



Sometimes a child on the autism spectrum gets "let off the hook" because mom or dad has the attitude that "he just can't help it -- it's his disorder." Some kids hear this so often that they come to believe it. No doubt, HFA is a factor that contributes to inappropriate behavior at times, but it should never be used as an excuse for it. Unless parents demand accountability – consistently and fairly – then a youngster on the spectrum may not develop this trait naturally. So, just like social skills, “taking personal responsibility” needs to be taught.

==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's

Social skills groups for “special needs” kids can be very helpful in situations such as this. Analyzing the behavior of peers, interpreting the behavior or the consequences of certain behaviors portrayed in movies, reading stories of kids who take responsibility for their actions, and doing role-reversals and role-plays can help develop the trait of taking responsibility. This is a skill that needs to be practiced – it’s not an automatic ability that children with developmental disorders possess naturally.

Other ideas to instill a sense of accountability and responsibility include the following:
  • “Survival" simulations or group problem-solving activities help kids consider the impact of their actions on others.
  • Having to care for plants or animals can teach valuable life-lessons.
  • Involvement in sports activities that focus on cooperative rather than competitive efforts can help.
  • Religious education and scouting programs offer fertile ground for growing moral and ethical character.
  • Working on community service projects, especially in the lower grades when the youngster is impressionable, is a great way to instill character.

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Some kids on the spectrum will pretend to be indifferent or avoid responsibility as a way to sidestep having to face up to the rather chronic impulsive acts they commit. Saying "I don't care" is often an attempt to devalue the negative act they have committed. If a child truly cares about his behavior, that carries with it the implication that he will do something about it if he misbehaves. But if he misbehaves a lot, doing something about it seems like an impossible and overwhelming task. Thus, sometimes kids have racked-up such a long list of complaints from parents that they see no way to fix it.

==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism

This is a cycle that can be broken when parents respond like this: "You say (or act) like you don't care, but that's unacceptable in this home. You need to DO something to make amends for what you’ve done (or said) – and saying a shallow "I'm sorry" doesn't cut it. The key is a change in your behavior.”

Parents of kids on the autism spectrum often worry about their child who does hurtful things TO other people (or who doesn't do helpful things FOR other people) without caring about it. These kids do have difficulty empathizing with others (more on that topic here), although this deficit is not an excuse for irresponsibility either. The longer this behavior persists, the less likely it is that it will improve. Utilizing the tips above will help most “special needs” kids become more caring and thoughtful.

 Lack of Demonstrated Empathy in Kids on the Autism Spectrum 


 

==> Tips on how to handle your child's fixations and obsessions? You'll find more than you'll need right here...


Resources for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum:
 

==> Videos for Parents of Children and Teens with ASD
 
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Self-Help Strategies for Struggling Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

Do you have a teenager on the autism spectrum? Is he or she really having difficulty coping with life? Are you worried about how he or she is going to handle adulthood? For teenagers with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism, change is especially hard. They have grappled with the perplexing and disturbing nature of a highly unpredictable world most of their lives.

For those parents of teens on the spectrum, we have compiled our top 15 picks for self-help books to assist your “special needs” teen in multiple areas of life:

1. The Aspie Teen's Survival Guide: Candid Advice for Teens, Tweens, and Parents, from a Young Man with Asperger's Syndrome

2. The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger Syndrome

3. Asperger's Teens: Understanding High School for Students on the Autism Spectrum

4. Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Helping Preteens & Teens Get Ready for the Real World

5. Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence

6. Take Control of Asperger's Syndrome: The Official Strategy Guide for Teens with Asperger's Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disorders

 7. The Asperger Teen's Toolkit

8. The Social Success Workbook for Teens
 
9. Social Skills for Teenagers and Adults with Asperger Syndrome: A Practical Guide to Day-to-Day Life

10. Asperger's and You: A self-exploration workbook for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum

11. The Social Success Workbook for Teens: Skill-Building Activities for Teens with Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, and Other

12. Social Skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders: The PEERS Treatment Manual

 13. The Autism Playbook for Teens: Imagination-Based Mindfulness Activities to Calm Yourself, Build Independence, and Connect with Others (The Instant Help Solutions Series)

14. 60 Social Situations and Discussion Starters to Help Teens on the Autism Spectrum Deal with Friendships, Feelings, Conflict and More: Seeing the Big Picture

15. Asperger's Syndrome Guide for Teens and Young Adults: Thriving (Not Just Surviving)

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The Benefits of a Sensory Room for Kids on the Autism Spectrum


The purpose of a sensory room is to waken your child's senses. Items in the room can include lights, sensory soft play objects, colors, sounds, and aromas - all within a safe environment that allows him or her to explore and interact without risk.

The room also helps the child to calm down when needed - and can help those who have learning difficulties or sensory impairments learn to interact with the world around them, but in a safe environment. The child gets an unrestrained space where he can explore at his own leisure.

It's most effective to create a schedule of when your child will be provided free time in this room. It's probably NOT best to give her free access to it. It's best to use the room at transition times to provide a smooth transition, or as a reward for meeting the expectations of parents and teachers.

When creating your child's sensory room, be as creative as you can. There are many things you can purchase, but you can also make many things yourself. What you use should in part be determined by what your child enjoys or is seeking.

Some ideas are: 
  • A mini trampoline can provide physical exercise and sensory input.
  • Create a touch board, and attach a variety of materials from sand paper to carpet.
  • Fill a tub with sand, navy beans, or other similar item that they can play in.
  • Find different scents of potpourri that they can use for deep breathing.
  • Hang a swing from your ceiling (if it is reinforced).
  • Have music playing that your child enjoys - this can be calming music or vigorous music.
  • String blinking Christmas lights around the room.
  • Use a hammock for the child to lie in and receive deep pressure.
  • Use a variety of lotions for both scent and touch.
  • Use a vibrating massage-machine for deep touch.
  • Use play dough for touch activities.


There are many benefits of a sensory room, for example:

Enhanced Learning through Play: Sensory stimulation can engage different areas of the brain, helping your child to absorb and retain more information through the five senses.

Improve Balance, Movement and Spatial Orientation: A sensory room can help develop your child's visual processing abilities and his or her fine and gross motor skills.

Sensory Stimulation: Encouraging your child to engage and explore the environment will have positive effects on her ability to react and interact with the larger world around her.

Tackle Problems With Behavior: Sensory rooms can be highly absorbing, providing a moment of comfort and calm for the "distressed" youngster, and helping the "inactive" child to feel better engaged. This improves focus and prevents him from getting the urge to ‘act out’ his frustrations or anxiety.

==> How to Teach Social Skills and Emotion Management
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Tools to Develop Fine and Gross Motor Skills in Kids on the Spectrum

Most kids with Asperger’s and High-Functioning Autism have a history of delayed acquisition of motor skills (e.g., hand writing, pedaling a bike, tying shoe laces, catching a ball, opening jars, climbing monkey-bars, etc.), which is called “motor clumsiness.” These young people are often visibly awkward, exhibiting rigid gait patterns, odd posture, poor manipulative skills, and significant deficits in visual-motor coordination. 

For those parents of kids that have trouble with fine motor skills (e.g., handwriting) as well as gross motor skills (e.g., balancing), here are our top 10 picks for items that will assist in this matter:



Ring Toss Game - Kids Quoit Games - Improve Eye-Hand Coordination and Fine Motor Skills


Hundreds of Developmentally Age-Appropriate Activities Designed to Improve Fine Motor Skills

Helps children learn penmanship and bolsters creativity: trace practically anything!

30 Pegs for Learning Colors, Sorting Counting - 30pg Occupational Therapy Fine Motor Skills Activity

Stepping Stones 6-Pack – Balance and Eye Coordination - Training Tool & Physical Therapy

Active Monkey Balance Board

Stepping Buckets 6-Pack – Balance and Eye Coordination - Training Tool & Physical Therapy




More resources for parents of children and teens with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's:

==> How To Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums In Children With High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's

==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism

==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Guide for Parents Who Want to Promote Self-Reliance

==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management to Children and Teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism

==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism: Comprehensive Handbook

==> Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: Audio Book


==> Parenting System that Reduces Problematic Behavior in Children with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism
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Crucial Strategies for Parents of Challenging Kids on the Autism Spectrum

    Resources for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum :   ==> How to Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums in Children ...