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Problems with Depression in Teens on the Autism Spectrum

All teenagers experience depression from time to time due to the normal pressures faced during adolescents. Also, young people with ASD level 1, or High-Functioning Autism (HFA), experience depression occasionally due to dealing with the symptoms associated with the disorder. So, little wonder why a teenager WITH the disorder may have more than his fair share of depression symptoms.

Depression in HFA teens is a serious condition – it affects emotions, thought and behaviors. Although adolescent depression isn't medically different from depression in grown-ups, HFA adolescents often have unique challenges and symptoms. Issues such as peer pressure, academic expectations and changing bodies can bring a lot of ups and downs for these adolescents. But for some, the lows are more than just temporary feelings — they're a sign of depression.

Depression is these teens is not a weakness or something that can be overcome with willpower. Like depression in grown-ups, adolescent depression is a medical condition that can have serious consequences. However for most, adolescent depression symptoms ease with treatment such as medication and psychological counseling.

Adolescent depression symptoms include:
  • Agitation or restlessness — for example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still
  • Anxiety, preoccupation with body image and concerns about performance, particularly in girls
  • Changes in appetite. Depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some individuals it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain
  • Crying spells for no apparent reason
  • Disruptive behavioral problems, particularly in boys
  • Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy — even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort
  • Feelings of sadness
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixation on past failures or self-blame when things aren't going right
  • Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Irritability, frustration or feelings of anger, even over small matters
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
  • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
  • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

Adolescent depression often occurs along with behavior problems and other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 
 

What's normal and what's not:

It can be difficult to tell the difference between the ups and downs that are just part of being an adolescent and adolescent depression. Talk with your adolescent. Try to determine whether he or she seems capable of handling his feelings without help, or if life seems overwhelming. If adolescent depression symptoms persist or begin to interfere in multiple areas of your adolescent's life, talk to a doctor or a mental health professional trained to work with adolescents. Your adolescent's family doctor or pediatrician is a good place to start. Or, your adolescent's school may have a recommendation.

Warning signs that your HFA adolescent could be struggling with depression:
  • An ongoing sense that life and the future are grim and bleak
  • Conflict with friends of family members
  • Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
  • Loss of interest in family and friends
  • Neglected appearance — such as mismatched clothes and unkempt hair
  • Poor school performance or frequent absences from school
  • Reckless behavior
  • Sadness, irritability or anger that goes on for two weeks or longer
  • Talking about running away from home or attempting to do so
  • Use of alcohol or drugs

When to see a doctor:

If you suspect your adolescent may be depressed, make a doctor's appointment as soon as you can. Depression symptoms may not get better on their own — and may get worse or lead to other problems if untreated. Adolescents who are depressed may be at risk of suicide, even if signs and symptoms don't appear to be severe.

If you're an adolescent and you think you may be depressed — or you have a friend who may be depressed — don't wait to get help. Talk to a health care professional such as your doctor or school nurse. Share your concerns with a parent, a close friend, a faith leader, a teacher or someone else you trust.

Suicidal thoughts:

If your adolescent is having suicidal thoughts, get help right away. Here are some steps you can take:
  • Call a suicide hot line number — in the United States, you can reach the toll-free, 24-hour hot line of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to talk to a trained counselor or have your adolescent talk to someone.
  • Contact a family member or friend for support.
  • Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community for advice.
  • Seek help from a doctor, a mental health provider or other health care professional.

When to get emergency help:

If you think your adolescent is in immediate danger of self-harm or attempting suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Make sure someone stays with him or her until help arrives.

Causes—

It's not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental illnesses, it appears a variety of factors may be involved. These include:
  • Biological differences. Individuals with depression appear to have physical differences in their brains from individuals who aren't depressed. The significance of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint depression causes.
  • Early childhood trauma. Traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse or loss of a parent, may cause changes in the brain that make a person more susceptible to depression.
  • Hormones. Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression.
  • Inherited traits. Depression is more common in individuals whose biological family members also have the condition.
  • Learned patterns of negative thinking. Adolescent depression may be linked to learning to feel helpless — rather than learning to feel capable of finding solutions for life's challenges.
  • Life events. Events such as the death or loss of a loved one, financial problems, and high stress can trigger depression in some individuals.
  • Neurotransmitters. These naturally occurring brain chemicals linked to mood are thought to play a direct role in depression.

Risk factors—

Although the precise cause of depression isn't known, factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering adolescent depression include:
  • Abusing alcohol, nicotine or other drugs
  • Being a girl — depression occurs more often in females than in males
  • Being attracted to members of the same sex — which can cause depression linked to negative social pressures and internal emotional conflicts
  • Having a chronic medical illness such as diabetes or asthma
  • Having a family member who committed suicide
  • Having a parent, grandparent or other biological relative with depression
  • Having an anxiety disorder
  • Having been physically or sexually abused
  • Having been the victim or witness of violence
  • Having biological relatives with a history of alcoholism
  • Having certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
  • Having experienced recent stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
  • Having few friends or other personal relationships
  • Having strict moms and dads that are quick to blame or punish
  • Obesity, which can lead to judgment by others and to low self-esteem
  • Parental divorce

Complications—

Untreated depression can result in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your adolescent's life. Complications associated with adolescent depression can include:

• Suicide
• Social isolation
• Relationship difficulties
• Family conflicts
• Anxiety
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Academic problems

Preparing for an appointment—

You're likely to start by taking your adolescent to see his primary care doctor or pediatrician. However, when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred directly to a psychiatrist or psychologist — mental health professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. 
 

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea for you and your adolescent to be well prepared for the appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your adolescent's appointment, and what to expect from the doctor.

What you can do:
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that your adolescent is taking.
  • Write down any symptoms your adolescent has had, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes your adolescent has experienced.
  • Write down questions to ask your adolescent's doctor.

Your time with the doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you and your adolescent make the most of your time. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For problems related to depression, some basic questions to ask the doctor include:
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?
  • Are there any possible side effects or other issues I should be aware of with the medications you're recommending for my adolescent?
  • Are there any restrictions that my adolescent needs to follow?
  • Is depression the most likely cause of my youngster's symptoms?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • My adolescent has these other health conditions. How can he or she best manage them together?
  • Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my youngster's symptoms or condition?
  • Should my adolescent see a psychiatrist or other mental health provider?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
  • What kinds of tests will he or she need?
  • What treatment is likely to work best?
  • Will making changes in diet, in exercise or in other areas of my adolescent's life help ease depression?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions at any time during your adolescent's appointment.

What to expect from your adolescent's doctor:

The doctor is likely to ask your adolescent a number of questions. Making sure he or she is ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you or your adolescent wants to spend more time on. Your youngster's doctor may ask your adolescent:
  • Do you ever have suicidal thoughts when you're feeling down?
  • Do you have any biological relatives — such as a parent or grandparent — with depression or another mood disorder?
  • Does your mood ever swing from feeling down to feeling extremely happy and full of energy?
  • Have you experimented with alcohol or illegal drugs?
  • How long have you felt depressed? Do you generally always feel down, or does your mood change?
  • How much do you sleep at night? Does it change over time?
  • How severe are your symptoms? Do they interfere with school, relationships or other day-to-day activities?
  • What other mental or physical health conditions do you have?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • When did your family members or your friends first notice your symptoms of depression?

Tests and diagnosis—

When a doctor suspects an adolescent has depression, he or she will generally ask a number of questions and may do medical and psychological tests. These can help rule out other problems that could be causing symptoms, pinpoint a diagnosis and also check for any related complications. These exams and tests generally include:

• Psychological evaluation. To check for signs of depression, your doctor or mental health provider will talk to your adolescent about his thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. The doctor may have your adolescent fill out a written questionnaire to help answer these questions.

• A physical exam. This generally involves measuring height and weight; checking vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; listening to the heart and lungs; and examining the abdomen.

Diagnostic criteria for depression:

To be diagnosed with depression, your adolescent must meet the symptom criteria spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.

For a diagnosis of major depression, your adolescent must have five or more of the following symptoms over a two-week period. At least one of the symptoms must be either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure. Symptoms can be based on your adolescent's feelings or may be based on the observations of someone else. They include:
  • Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, such as feeling sad, empty or tearful (in adolescents, depressed mood can appear as constant irritability)
  • Diminished interest or feeling no pleasure in all — or almost all — activities most of the day, nearly every day
  • Either restlessness or slowed behavior that can be observed by others
  • Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
  • Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day
  • Insomnia or increased desire to sleep nearly every day
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt
  • Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day (in adolescents, failure to gain weight as expected can be a sign of depression)
  • Trouble making decisions, or trouble thinking or concentrating nearly every day

To be considered major depression:
  • Symptoms are not caused by grieving, such as temporary sadness after the loss of a loved one
  • Symptoms are not due to the direct effects of something else, such as drug abuse, taking a medication or having a medical condition such as hypothyroidism
  • Symptoms aren't due to a mixed episode — mania along with depression that sometimes occurs as a symptom of bipolar disorder
  • Symptoms must be severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as school, social activities or relationships with others

Other conditions that cause depression symptoms:

There are several other conditions with symptoms that can include depression. It's important to get an accurate diagnosis so your adolescent can get the appropriate treatment. Your doctor or mental health provider's evaluation will help determine if the symptoms of depression are caused by one of the following conditions:
  • Seasonal affective disorder. This type of depression is related to changes in seasons and diminished exposure to sunlight.
  • Schizoaffective disorder. Schizoaffective disorder is a condition in which a person meets the criteria for both schizophrenia and a mood disorder.
  • Psychotic depression. This is severe depression accompanied by psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations.
  • Postpartum depression. This is a common type of depression that occurs in new mothers. It often begins four to eight weeks after delivery and may last for months.
  • Dysthymia. Dysthymia (dis-THI-me-uh) is a less severe but more chronic form of depression. While it's usually not disabling, dysthymia can prevent your adolescent from functioning normally in his daily routine and from living life to its fullest.
  • Cyclothymia. Cyclothymia (si-klo-THI-me-uh), or cyclothymic disorder, is a milder form of bipolar disorder.
  • Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings that range from the highs of mania to the lows of depression. It's sometimes difficult to distinguish between bipolar disorder and depression, but it's important to get an accurate diagnosis because treatment for bipolar disorder is different from that for other types of depression.
  • Adjustment disorder. An adjustment disorder is a severe emotional reaction to a difficult event in your life. It's a type of stress-related mental illness that may affect your feelings, thoughts and behavior.

Make sure that you understand what type of depression your adolescent has so that you can learn more about his specific situation and its treatments. 
 

Treatments and drugs—

Numerous treatments are available. Medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) are very effective for most adolescents with depression.

In some cases, a primary care doctor can prescribe medications that relieve depression symptoms. However, many adolescents need to see a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions (psychiatrist or psychologist). Some adolescents with depression also benefit from seeing other mental health counselors.

If your adolescent has severe depression or is in danger of hurting himself or herself, he or she may need a hospital stay or may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until symptoms improve.

Medications:

A number of antidepressant medications are available to treat depression. There are several different types, categorized by how they affect the naturally occurring chemicals in the brain linked to mood.

Because studies on the effects of antidepressants in adolescents are limited, doctors rely mainly on adult research when prescribing medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two medications for adolescent depression — fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro). However, as with grown-ups, other medications may be prescribed at the doctor's discretion (off label).

Types of antidepressants include:

• Atypical antidepressants. These medications are called atypical because they don't fit neatly into another antidepressant category. They include trazodone and mirtazapine (Remeron). Both of these antidepressants are sedating and are usually taken in the evening. In some cases, one of these medications is added to another antidepressant to help with sleep.

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs — such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan) and phenelzine (Nardil) — are generally prescribed as a last resort, when other medications haven't worked. That's because MAOIs can have serious harmful side effects. They require a strict diet because they may cause life-threatening high blood pressure if combined with certain common foods such as aged cheeses, pickles and chocolate. They can also interact with some medications, including decongestants. MAOIs can be very dangerous in overdose. Selegiline (Emsam) is a newer MAOI that's applied to the skin as a patch rather than swallowed as a pill. It may cause fewer side effects than do other MAOIs.

• Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs). Bupropion (Wellbutrin) falls into this category. At high doses, bupropion may increase the risk of having seizures.

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Many doctors start depression treatment in adolescents by prescribing one of these medications. SSRIs are safer and generally cause fewer bothersome side effects than do other types of antidepressants. SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). These medications can cause side effects. These may go away as the body adjusts to the medication. Side effects can include digestive problems, jitteriness, restlessness, headache and insomnia. These medications have a low risk of death in overdose.

• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medications include duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). Side effects are similar to those caused by SSRIs. In high doses these medications can cause increased sweating and dizziness. Individuals with liver disease shouldn't take duloxetine.

• Tricyclic antidepressants. These antidepressants have been used for years and are generally as effective as newer medications. Examples include amitriptyline, imipramine (Tofranil) and doxepin. Because they can have side effects, they generally aren't used in adolescents. Side effects can include low blood pressure, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, fast heartbeat and confusion. Tricyclic antidepressants are also known to cause weight gain. These medications can be very dangerous when taken in overdose.

• Other medications. If your adolescent's depression isn't getting better with one antidepressant, the doctor may recommend adding another antidepressants or another type of medication for better effect — such as a stimulant, mood-stabilizing medication, anti-anxiety medication or antipsychotic medication. This strategy is known as augmentation.

Managing medications:

Carefully monitor your adolescent's use of his medications. In order to work properly, antidepressants need to be taken consistently at the prescribed dose. Because overdose can be a risk for adolescents with depression, your adolescent's doctor may prescribe only small supplies of pills at a time, or recommend that you dole out your youngster's medication so that your adolescent does not have large amounts of pills available at once. Be especially careful if you think your adolescent is at risk of suicidal behavior and is taking a tricyclic antidepressant or an MAOI — these medications are more dangerous than other types of antidepressants when it comes to overdose.

Finding the right medication:

Everyone's different, so finding the right medication or dose of medication for your adolescent may take some trial and error. This requires patience, as some medications need eight weeks or longer to take full effect and for side effects to ease as the body adjusts. If your adolescent has bothersome side effects, he or she shouldn't stop taking an antidepressant without talking to the doctor first. Some antidepressants can cause withdrawal symptoms unless the dose is slowly tapered down. Quitting suddenly may cause a sudden worsening of depression.

If antidepressant treatment doesn't seem to be working, your adolescent's doctor may recommend a blood test to check for specific genes that affect how his body processes antidepressants. The cytochrome P450 (CYP450) genotyping test is one example of this type of exam. Genetic testing of this kind can help predict how well the body can or can't process (metabolize) a medication. This may help identify which antidepressant might be a good choice for your adolescent. These genetic tests aren't widely available, so they're an option only for individuals who have access to a clinic that offers them.

Antidepressants and pregnancy:

If your adolescent is pregnant or breast-feeding, some antidepressants may pose a health risk to her unborn youngster or nursing youngster. If your adolescent becomes pregnant, make certain she talks to her doctor about antidepressant medications and managing depression during pregnancy.

Antidepressants and increased suicide risk:

Although antidepressants are generally safe when taken as directed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that in some cases, kids, adolescents and young people ages 18 to 24 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants. This risk may be highest in the first few weeks after starting an antidepressant or when the dose is changed. Because of this risk, individuals in these age groups must be closely monitored by while taking antidepressants.

While this warning may seem alarming, for most adolescents the benefits of taking an antidepressant generally outweigh any possible risks. In the long run, antidepressants are likely to reduce suicidal thinking or behavior.

If your adolescent has suicidal thoughts when taking an antidepressant, immediately contact his doctor or get emergency help.

Again, make sure you understand the risks of the various antidepressants. Working together, you and your doctor can explore options to get depression symptoms under control.

Psychotherapy:

Psychological counseling (psychotherapy) is another key depression treatment. Psychotherapy is a general term for a way of treating depression by talking about depression and related issues with a mental health provider. Psychotherapy is also known as therapy, talk therapy, counseling or psychosocial therapy. Psychotherapy may be done one-on-one, with family members or in a group format.

Through these regular sessions, your adolescent can learn about the causes of depression so that he or she can better understand it. He or she will also learn how to identify and make changes in unhealthy behaviors or thoughts, explore relationships and experiences, find better ways to cope and solve problems, and set realistic goals. Psychotherapy can help your adolescent regain a sense of happiness and control and help ease depression symptoms such as hopelessness and anger. It may also help your adolescent adjust to a crisis or other current difficulty.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used therapies for adolescent depression. It helps a person identify negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. It's based on the idea that your own thoughts — not other individuals or situations — determine how you feel or behave. Even if an unwanted situation doesn't change, you can change the way you think and behave in a positive way. Interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy are other examples of counseling commonly used to treat depression. There are a number of additional types of psychotherapy that can be effective. Many therapists use a combination of approaches.

Hospitalization and residential treatment programs:

In some adolescents, depression is so severe that a hospital stay is needed. Inpatient hospitalization may be necessary if your adolescent is in danger of self-harm or hurting someone else. Getting psychiatric treatment at a hospital can help keep your adolescent calm and safe until his mood improves. Partial hospitalization or day treatment programs also are helpful for some adolescents. These programs provide the support and counseling needed while your adolescent gets depression symptoms under control. 
 

Lifestyle and home remedies—

Depression generally isn't an illness that you can treat on your own. But there are some steps you and your adolescent can take that may help:
  • Pay attention to warning signs. Work with your adolescent's doctor or therapist to learn what might trigger depression symptoms. Make a plan so that you and your adolescent know what to do if symptoms get worse. Ask family members or friends to help watch for warning signs.
  • Make sure your AS or HFA adolescent gets plenty of sleep. Sleeping well is important for adolescents, especially adolescents with depression. If your adolescent is having trouble sleeping, talk to his doctor about what can be done.
  • Make sure your adolescent gets exercise. Even light physical activity can help reduce depression symptoms.
  • Learn about depression. Education about your adolescent's condition can empower your adolescent and motivate him or her to stick a treatment plan. It can also benefit you and other loved ones to learn about your adolescent's depression. Counseling that focuses on this is known as psycho-education.
  • Help your adolescent avoid alcohol and other drugs. Your adolescent may feel like alcohol or drugs lessen depression symptoms, but in the long run they generally worsen symptoms and make depression harder to treat.
  • Encourage your adolescent to stick to his treatment plan. Make sure your adolescent attends psychotherapy sessions or appointments, even if he or she doesn't feel like going. Even if your adolescent is feeling well, make sure he or she continues to take medications as prescribed. If your adolescent stops taking medications, depression symptoms may come back. Quitting suddenly may also cause withdrawal-like symptoms.

Alternative medicine—

Alternative medicine strategies for depression include supplements and mind-body techniques. Here are some common alternative treatments for depression.

Herbal remedies and supplements:

A number of herbal remedies and supplements have been used for depression. Examples include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids. Eating a diet rich in omega-3s or taking omega-3 supplements may help ease depression and also appears to have a number of other health benefits. Cold-water fish and fish oil supplements are good sources of omega-3s. Omega-3s are also found in flaxseed, walnuts and some other foods.

• SAMe. Pronounced "sam-EE," this is a synthetic form of a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. The name is short for S-adenosylmethionine. As with St. John's wort, SAMe isn't approved by the FDA to treat depression. However, it's used in Europe as a prescription drug to treat depression.

• St. John's wort. Known scientifically as Hypericum perforatum, this is an herb that's been used for centuries to treat a variety of ills, including depression. It's not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat depression in the United States. Rather, it's classified as a dietary supplement. However, it's a popular depression treatment in Europe.

Some supplements — including St. John's wort and SAMe — can interfere with antidepressants.

Mind-body connections:

The connection between mind and body has been studied for centuries. Complementary and alternative medicine practitioners believe the mind and body must be in harmony for you to stay healthy.

Mind-body techniques used to improve depression symptoms include:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Massage therapy
• Guided imagery
• Acupuncture

Make certain you understand risks as well as possible benefits before pursuing any therapy for your adolescent. To be safe, talk to your adolescent's doctor before he or she takes any herbal or dietary supplements — particularly St. John's wort or SAMe. Keep in mind, alternative treatments aren't a replacement for conventional medical treatment or psychotherapy.

Coping and support—

Showing interest and the desire to understand your adolescent's feelings lets him or her know you care. You may not understand why your adolescent feels that things are hopeless or why he or she has a sense of loss or failure. Listen to your adolescent without judging and try to put yourself in his position. Help build your adolescent's self-esteem by recognizing small successes and offering praise about his competence.

Encourage your HFA adolescent to:

• Ask for help. Adolescents may be reluctant to seek support when life seems overwhelming. Encourage your adolescent to talk to a family member or other trusted adult whenever needed.

• Connect with other adolescents who struggle with depression. Talking with other adolescents facing similar challenges can help your adolescent cope. So can learning skills to manage life's challenges. Local support groups for depression are available in many communities, and support groups for depression are offered online. One good place to start is the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

• Encourage your adolescent to keep a private journal. Journaling can improve mood by allowing your adolescent to express and work through pain, anger, fear or other emotions.

• Have realistic expectations. Many adolescents judge themselves when they aren't able to live up to unrealistic standards — academically, in athletics or in appearance, for example. Let your adolescent know that it's OK not to be perfect.

• Make and keep healthy friendships. Positive relationships can help boost your adolescent's confidence and stay connected with others. Encourage your adolescent to avoid relationships with individuals whose attitudes or behaviors could make depression worse.

• Simplify his life. Encourage your adolescent to carefully choose his obligations and commitments, and set reasonable goals. Let your adolescent know that it's OK to do less when he or she feels down.

• Stay active. Participation in sports, school activities or a job can help keep your adolescent focused on positive things — rather than negative feelings or behaviors.

• Stay healthy. Do your part to make sure your adolescent eats regular, healthy meals, gets regular exercise and gets plenty of sleep. These are priorities — encourage your adolescent not to avoid these things because of social activities, school responsibilities or other demands.

• Structure his time. Help your adolescent plan his activities by making lists or using a planner to stay organized.

Prevention—

There's no sure way to prevent depression. However, making sure your AS or HFA adolescent takes steps to control stress, to increase resilience and to boost low self-esteem can help. Friendship and social support, especially in times of crisis, can help your adolescent cope. In addition, treatment at the earliest sign of a problem can help prevent depression from worsening. Some adolescents with Aspergers need to continue taking medications even after symptoms let up, or have regular therapy sessions to help prevent a relapse of depression symptoms.

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

==> Videos for Parents of Children and Teens with ASD
 
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How to Choose the Safest Car Travel Seatbelt for Your Dog

Dogs are wired to love their human family unconditionally, and are extremely loyal as well as being sensitive to moods and emotions. This is what makes therapy dogs so amazing for children with autism.

Dogs also respond well to fixed structures, repetition and patterns, which makes it easy for them to fit straight into the routines and mindset of those with autism. If you have a therapy dog as part of your family you will want to make sure they are safe at all times when travelling in a vehicle, so choosing the right seatbelt is important.

There’s no doubt that some dogs would prefer to enjoy the ride with their heads out of the window, or ride shotgun with no restraints, but the risk of them, or another passenger being hurt in even a minor traffic accident make that a definite no-no.

Still, actually choosing the right travel seatbelt for your particular dog can be a bit of a headache, especially when you need to be sure it is the safest possible option. The fact is there are lots of different dog restraint products on the market, and some are not that useful, while others won’t suit your dog.

That’s why we have put together these handy hints and tips to help you make the best possible choice you can.

Be guided by your dog’s weight

Small dogs are generally safer in a specially designed booster seat, which allows them to see what is going on in and outside of the car but is fixed securely to protect them in an accident. The seat, (which looks more like a comfortable open box than a child car seat), is secured using the seatbelt points, and the dog inside it wears a harness which is secured to the seat itself.

Of course, you can skip the seat and just use a harness if your dog isn’t fussy about looking around.

Medium and large sized dogs need a secure harness which is attached to the seatbelt points. If your dog is extra large or very powerful it’s safest to use a seatbelt clip on top, to add an extra level of restraint, as a weight of the dog could snap the regular restraints with a sudden or high impact move forward.

Next look at comfort

The safest car seatbelt is one the dog will tolerate, and anything which is uncomfortable will not work. The material should be wide and strong enough to suit the particular dog, and not be something which will dig in, irritate their skin, or pull their hair out.

Dogs which are small or have short necks may find wide straps uncomfortable, while overly stiff harnesses can make it difficult for a dog to lie down comfortably. Some companies make car restraints which are softer and easier to wear, especially with older dogs or those with medical problems in mind.

Whichever kind of car travel seatbelt you decide to go for make sure the model you pick has fasteners which are compatible with your car, and any existing harness you may already have.

Whether your journey is just across town or a multi-day road trip your dog will thank you for keeping him or her safe and comfortable as a treasured passenger, leaving you free to concentrate on the road knowing your pet is happy and secure behind you.

For more information on choosing the correct seat belt for your dog, check out https://dogsbarn.com/dog-car-seat/.
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Post High-School Education for Teens on the Autism Spectrum

"My 18 year old [with high functioning autism] will soon be graduating from high school in a few months. What are the best options for post high school education?"

The future is looking brighter than ever for young people with Aspergers (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA). As most parents know, kids and teens on the spectrum are usually very intelligent, but suffer from a lack of social skills, communication abilities, and sensory issues. The recent surge of information, education, and treatment options are starting at younger ages, increasing the chances - and the choices - for post high school education.

There are several secondary education options to investigate for your AS youngster:
  • Technical or vocational schools: These schools offer career training in a relatively short amount of time, with the added benefit of being close to home. If your youngster is thinking of a career in computer repair, air conditioning and heating repair, general office duties, or computer technology, a vocational school is worth a look. Check your local schools for the programs available in your area. Many of these schools offer federal financial aid, as well as state or local aid.
  • Community college: If your AS teenager is interested in earning an Associates degree, the local community college may be the solution. These schools are close to home, yet offer the ‘real’ college experience. For young people who are uncomfortable with the thought of going away to college, this alternative can give them that big school experience at a more manageable volume.
  • Specialty schools: Single concentration schools are popping up everywhere. These schools cater to one certain specialty. For the young person with AS or HFA, special interests can mean sure success when it comes to choosing a career path. Some examples of specialty careers are culinary arts, cosmetology, graphic arts, fashion design, and animation.
  • Colleges and Universities: It is no longer unusual to find young people with AS and HFA going away to a college or university in search of a higher-level degree. These schools are starting to make necessary accommodations for students on the spectrum, offering more assistance on campus.

Young people with AS and HFA are demonstrating their capabilities by adapting to college life quite well, as long as the preparation has been in place during high school. Possibilities for financing their education are numerous with federal and state financial aid and scholarships.

Preparing your youngster early by working on social skills, organizational skills, and living skills will ensure a successful adjustment from high school and home life to the college experience. Finding the right post high school opportunity is not only possible -- it is promising.

As one parent stated:

"The GOOD NEWS is that many colleges and universities are offering more support to autistic students than elementary, middle and high schools. A professor at Georgia Tech has been telling me about the ASD supports at Tech -- phenomenal! Faculty and staff are on board, you don't have to fight the system, they recognize the differences in learning style and accommodate as a matter of policy. It gets better! Also, consider the Job corps. They have arrangements for living while training your child hands-on with a variety of trades. They specialize in training kids that need that extra help."
 

=> Launching Adult Children With Aspergers: How To Promote Self-Reliance

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Junk Food Addiction in Teens on the Autism Spectrum

"My teenage son with high functioning autism has (in my opinion) the absolute worse eating habits ...honestly, potato chips and soda make up about 75% of his diet. He would rather lose game privileges than eat a vegetable. I've given up! Help!!"

We all know that adolescents need to eat well since their bodies are still growing, their brains are still changing, and their hormones may be taking a toll on their moods and energy levels. But we also know that adolescents are prone to eating irregularly, and sometimes quite poorly, particularly as they distance themselves from parental controls and eat more meals away from home.

Pizza, cookies, ice cream, and soft drinks may be the most common foods in their diets at this age. But we have more influence and capacity to affect our adolescents' diets positively than we may think we do. The keys to positive change in the arena of diet and nutrition are positive attitude, planning, and preparation. These keys are already in your hands.

Moms and dads have a particularly strong advantage in this arena because, generally speaking, they have higher incomes than adolescents, and adolescents would rather spend more of their incomes on clothing, music, movies, and other entertainment, and as little as possible on food. Adolescents with ASD level 1, or High-Functioning Autism (HFA), are not much different; the only real difference may be that appropriate diet and nutrition may be even more important to help them keep improving their social skills and relations with peers and grown-ups.

Even slight worsening of moods, or additional absent-mindedness due to low blood sugar from skipping a meal, may cause an adolescent with HFA to fall into difficulties in important social situations. Once he or she has created a "social storm," such as a rift with a friend, or opposition to a teacher, the “special needs” adolescent often has more trouble than other adolescents navigating the troubled waters and reaching a safe shore.
 
==> Parenting System that Significantly Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with High-Functioning Autism

Using the keys to positive change in the arena of your adolescent's diet and nutrition is not difficult. Here are some examples of simple and direct changes parents can make:

Positive Attitude—

Most of us yearn to have peace at the dinner table and in the home; we would like to provide healthy food, and have our kids eat it with appreciation and without complaints. Yet we may forget that a positive attitude about food has to begin with us.

In many countries and cultures of the world, kids and adolescents are only too glad to have enough food to eat each day. In much of Africa, families still eat all their meals together, and in rural areas there is generally a single bowl of food, a grain or root starch with a vegetable sauce that young and old family members share. Meat is often more of a luxury, or may be offered only in small quantities. Soft drinks and sugary desserts are luxury items, and a regular component of the diet only for relatively wealthy people.

In the United States, by contrast, we often have too much food, and paradoxically, much of it is not healthy or nutritious. Adolescents complain about the food provided for them, and may refuse to eat, or don't eat well at prepared meals with their families, because they have a confusing array of other choices. They often do not view making daily decisions about what is and is not nutritious as their job, and they shouldn't; it is the job of the grown-ups in the community, whether at home or at school, to guide adolescents to eat wisely by providing nutritious food, and by limiting the supply of non-nutritious foods available.

At the same time, eating together is one of the most affirming and basic family-building activities possible; it also links us to other human beings in our own community and other communities; it is one activity that we all have in common, no matter what culture we are from. Our first job, therefore, is to return a sense of pleasure and even joy to family mealtimes, and to eating in general, if it isn't already there. Our second job is to plan for food that is appropriately nutritious, even planning some meals with our adolescents. And our third job is to prepare the food with a calm attitude and with thoughtful attention to the needs of our adolescents, whether it be for portable meals, late-night snacks, or a constant supply of pocket-sized nutritious energy-boosters.

Here are several ways to keep positive attitudes circulating in your home:
  1. Ask family members what their favorite dinners are, and either prepare those meals yourself or allow them to prepare those meals, once a week.
  2. Do not make meal times a time to criticize or moralize; try to open the conversation to everyone, and avoid topics that exclude some people, or are boring for kids or teenagers. In some households, family members are allowed to call out, "Not of general interest!" when inappropriate or boring dinnertime conversation topics are introduced.
  3. Get family members to take turns helping to set the table creatively with attractive, even unusual, centerpieces or decorations. Some of these may even help generate conversation with ordinarily quite adolescents.
  4. Offer only nutritious foods at mealtimes. Try to buy as many fresh foods as possible, and use color contrasts to make the meal appeal to the artist in your son or daughter.
  5. Start each meal together, at the table, and wait for everyone to be there. It helps to share a moment of silent appreciation, a chosen quote, or a prayer if you are so inclined. Let all family members take turns choosing the opening.
  6. Try music and candlelight for a change. Ask your HFA teenager to choose some quiet music that he or she especially likes.

Planning and Preparation—

Turning your kitchen into a generator of good nutrition and better eating habits may feel like a monumental task, but it is entirely manageable if broken down into tasks that only take an hour or less:
  1. Based on your family's list of favorite meals, and the cook's preferences, create a new grocery list featuring fresh foods and non-sugar foods for the main meals.
  2. Go through the refrigerator and the pantry shelves and gradually reduce and eliminate unhealthy foods. These include those foods whose primary ingredient is sugar (i.e., the first ingredient on the label), and foods with artificial ingredients, including preservatives and artificial coloring. Get rid of all soft drinks. Extra salty or fatty foods should also be limited, but these are more problematic for adult health; adolescents can handle some salty, fatty foods because of their higher activity levels. Then don't buy unhealthy foods anymore. If anyone asks, you can tell them you can't afford them. Having to buy these foods themselves will immediately reduce your adolescents' need for them.
  3. Rotate cooking duties. Cooking is a practical skill and art form that all adolescents should master early in life. An adolescent with HFA may especially appreciate feeling self-confident serving tasty food he or she has prepared to friends and family.
  4. Provide some snack foods, portable foods, and quick meals. These in-between food sources are often the culprits in poor nutrition and diet, however, so it is crucial to look closely at ingredients, and change the foods that are available whenever you determine that the current offerings are unhealthy. Make sure that you provide a continual supply of a variety of these meal alternatives, or your adolescent will resort to relying on vending machines and friends; neither source can be relied upon for solely healthy and nutritious food!
  5. See how many canned or already prepared foods you can replace with fresh foods. These foods are often a hidden source of unwanted sugars, preservatives, and other chemical additives that can actually damage your family's health. Try the local health food store for spaghetti sauce and other sauces and dressings free of chemistry experiments; farmer's markets often have homemade jams, hot sauces, pesto, flavored honey, herb vinegars and other specialties. Check the local bakeries for bread; often bakeries sell their day-old bread at a significant discount - and it is still a lot fresher than what you will find at the grocery store!
  6. Pay special attention to breakfast foods. You may have to woo your adolescent to the breakfast table, but it is worth the effort. Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day for regulating energy levels, brain power, and moods.
  7. Preparing food should be a happy, not a harassed, activity. Have a rule in your house that the cook gets to choose the music or radio program while preparing meals, and others are in the kitchen at the same time only if they are contributing to a positive atmosphere.
  8. Whoever does the majority of the cooking in the family should consider what foods he or she enjoys the most, and should check out a few cookbooks featuring their favorite foods from the library. A happy and inspired cook makes good food; inspiring food makes better mealtimes and better nutrition possible.
 
Quick and Easy Snacks—

Simple examples of healthy snack foods include:
  • apples and peanut butter
  • carrots
  • celery
  • cheese and wholegrain crackers
  • cherry tomatoes and Ranch dressing
  • fruit/nut mixes (e.g., peanuts and raisins)
  • granola or homemade granola bars
  • quick breads and muffins made from scratch
  • whole yogurt with fresh fruit and honey
  • yogurt and fruit "smoothies" made in the blender

Portable foods need to be hard, or in a hard container, so that they are not squashed and unappetizing by the time your adolescent gets around to remembering to eat them. Apples and granola bars are a good start; sometimes try beef, elk, venison or bison jerky from friends who make their own jerky, and more farmers and ranchers are starting to offer these products for sale.

Find a healthy cookie recipe. Using whatever basic chocolate chip cookie recipe your family prefers, cut the sugar by one-quarter cup, and substitute one-half cup quick oats for one-half cup of the flour required. Add chopped nuts, and even coconut flakes, if you prefer. Use real butter rather than margarine. Making a variation of these cookies each week, and filling the cookie jar will provide a more nutritious treat than store-bought cookies.

Quick meals should be meals that HFA adolescents can cook for themselves in the afternoon after school, or late at night when returning from an evening out, or if they are up late studying. Provide instruction in how to prepare basic pasta, and then make sure that a variety of interesting pasta shapes and sauces are readily available and that your adolescent knows how to find the necessary ingredients and pots and pans by him or herself. Egg-based meals are another example. Make sure that your adolescent knows how to prepare basic scrambled eggs, omelets, fried or poached eggs, hard-boiled eggs, and French toast. With just these two basic food sources in his or her cooking repertoire, your adolescent can create a dozen different healthy meals.

Rather than using direct praise for positive changes in your adolescent's eating habits (which may feel too intrusive or excessive for what he or she will rightly regard as a very basic part of life), ask your adolescent to cook for the family (e.g., "You’re really a good cook; can I get you to cook for everyone one night this week?"). This question will make your adolescent feel both self-confident, and needed. For an adolescent with HFA, these are the marks of growing into adulthood and family membership as the contributing person that he or she wants to be deep down.


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

==> Videos for Parents of Children and Teens with ASD
 
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PARENTS' COMMENTS:

•    Anonymous said... Wow. This is great info. Keep sharing people. This sounds like my 12yr old son. It's so hard changing his behavioral issues:(
•    Anonymous said... That's not just your opinion. That IS the worst kind of diet. But I don't understand this sort of "problem" when I see it. My son has Asperger's and would prefer to eat cookies and pancakes (or anything with syrup!) 24/7. My solution? I don't let him. Don't BUY potato chips and soda. Set an example as the parent and don't eat/drink that garbage either. Explain the importance of eating well. He is high-functioning so he can grasp that. Slowly introduce new foods. Find what he likes and buy more and more of it and find different, healthier way to prepare it. Example: my son loved/loves McDonald's chicken nuggets. I told him they're garbage and okay for a "treat" but not all the time. Started buying frozen chicken nuggets at home. Then evolved to making them fresh. Then started preparing different chicken dishes breading the chicken and baking it. Find what he likes, spin off that. SLOWLY incorporate new things and make sure you're eating them - and enthusiastically - too.
•    Anonymous said... My daughter is 10 and has always had severe food issues since she was a toddler. Most of it is texture related. The absolute hardest thing about her eating issues is that no matter how much we teach her about how good food is and she understands what is good for the body and what is not, she refuses to eat at all lately. So the heartless and flippant and totally typical "advice" that kids will eat when they are hungry enough doesn't work so well when you have a child with mental/social issues such as this. The food issues are SERIOUS in many kids with Autism, and for parents who ae trying so hard and unable to convince their kids to eat right it is heart breaking. I have tried the vitamin route but I know she isn't getting enough nutrition. She battles frequent and severe constipation. Going glucose free hasn't helped much. She will eat crackers, raw broccoli florets (rarely), carrots, a few select types of nuts, apple juice, and that's about it. I used to be able to get her to eat cheese, apples, strawberries, yogurt, those horrible chicken nuggets (the only meat i've ever gotten her to willingly eat), and macaroni. I know we will have to have some psychiatric help or my child will starve herself. But there are only a precious few child psychiatrists in my state that will accept the insurance plan we have. Our appts are 6 months apart. TELL ME HOW THE HELL I AM SUPPOSED TO GET HELP FOR MY CHILD WHO WON'T EAT?! If you haven't experienced this problem with your own kid, then you just don't have a clue what it is like.
•    Anonymous said... my 5 yr old son w/Asperger & SPD just finished 6 weeks of therapy for feeding. In the beginning, he only ate crackers, cookies, dry cereal, french fries & he drank chocolate milk, juice & Pedia Sure. After therapy, he now eats just about everything!! Spaghetti, Soup, Roast beef, squash, broccoli, greens, okra, etc.!! His therapist explained her method as:: Use a "social story". Read before each meal or every bite. Use a divider plate (3-5) separate compartments. Only put 2-5 small (baby spoon) bites in each compartment. The food consists of 1 favorite, 1 sort of likes & 1-2 new foods. He chooses which food to start with, but he has to take a bite of each food. Also, my son did better in the beginning when we ate alone!! Other family members at the table were distracting & our efforts failed!!! After 4 weeks of eating alone or w/me, now he eats w/all of us!! The short social story is:: It's time to eat, so I can grow!! The foods on my plate will help me grow tall and be strong. I may see foods I have not eaten before. This is ok. I won't know what it tastes like unless I take a bite and try it. After I take a bite, then I will know if it is yummy or not. After I take a bite, and if I don't like it, it will be ok to say "No Thank You, I don't like it". But I have to take a bite to know for sure. I'm ready to grow taller & be strong! Then begin! FYI: don't start out with strong smelling foods (cabbage, greens, etc), this may stall your efforts. We began w/ (new) chicken & dumplings-2 bites, (loves)yogurt- 2 bites & (sort of likes) green beans-2 bites. He realized he loves the dumplings & wanted more than 2 bites!! Some foods were not as sucessful, but many are!!! Even though therapy has ended, we will continue using the social story therapy @ home until he is more comfortable without it!! I don't want any set-backs!! Good luck to you all!!
•    Anonymous said... If you don't buy it he can't eat it. Someone has to be the parent. All kids would live on junk food if they had the option, Aspergers or not! I have sat with my son and made a list with him of the vegetables that he can tolerate and also how he prefers them cooked (baked, mashed, stif-fry), and that is what i serve him. He is happy with that because he is not served the ones he really hates. It is also easy to hide vegies in things like meatloaf, rissoles, soups, spag bol. Grate or even blend once cooked. You may find that removing junk food from their diet will help with behavioural issues too.
•    Anonymous said... I totally understand. We have stopped trying to make our son eat vegies and just started making sure he takes a multi-vitamin everyday. Its so much easier. You have to pick your battles and this is one we have decided not to fight.
•    Anonymous said... I told my son about the dangers of aspartame and he cut it totally out of his diet once he realised it was bad for his brain, his moods have improved and he''s developed a sort of obsession with apples, he'll eat 10 in one go if they're there (because once he starts with the eating he doesn't seem able to stop) I found forbidding or persuading just didn't work, so I decided to inform him (a knowledge of neuroscience has helped) he seems keen to take more control of his eating, and I find empowering him makes everyones life easier x
•    Anonymous said... I feel for you. Not everyone's situation is the same. If it were so easy for all of us JUST to prohibit it, I am sure you would have by now. It doesn't always have to do with having "sense" either. The advise that someone will eat when they get hungry enough is pretty scary too. I think the best suggestions are the ones that are cautious and respectful. That is what we are supposed to be modeling. Empowering with knowledge is fantastic! Don't forget to surround yourself with understanding/supportive people. It is really hard to accomplish better eating habits when you don't have positive support.
•    Anonymous said... Good to see other people have some sense. I read the question and thought "well, stop buying poisonous garbage. problem solved."
•    Anonymous said... Don't keep the soda & chips in the house. He can't eat what he doesn't have access to & he will eventually get hungry enough to eat what's in the house.
•    Anonymous said... I can speak from experience... My son is 1 month GFCF and he's a totally different kid. He's 14 and has always had bowel issues. This has completely gone away. His skin has cleared up. He's less stinky and greasy. He is sleeping much better!! I think there's something to it for sure! Also, I've noticed his anxiety has lessened... And he's about to start his first year of high school!
•    Anonymous said... I don't buy those things or keep them in the house. At that age you can't prevent him from getting them. All your can do is explain that those things aren't foods and will harm his body and then lead by example and hope for the best. My twelve year is the same way in that he will choose the least healthy food he has access to. frown emoticon
•    Anonymous said... My 15 year old son is the same way. He would eat pop tarts, and rolls with cream cheese all day everyday if I allowed it. He is very limited in what he eats. He will eat chicken cutlet if it's breaded or a burger. But he won't go near a vegetable or fruit. He doesn't eat in school either, even if he skips breakfast. He would sooner go hungry . I have tried refusing to let him have those things but... I have seen him make himself sick rather then eat. At that point we talked to dr and now just try to change what he eats and use vitamins but reality of it is. I'm in the same boat as you with me son.. I use a little trick though... I hide veggies in things I can bake like if I make chocolate chip muffin. He will eat those ..
•    Anonymous said... My son is same way. Junk food all the time. We found out awhile back, he also has RAD (reactive attachment disorder), in which the patient's symptoms is of craving sugar/sugary products....
•    Anonymous said... Our 16 year old would live on Raman and diet coke if we let her
•    Anonymous said... This is normal.our sons just like this.we try to get him to eat different things but its effortless.he will go all day at school and be hungry and not eat all day if its not his foods.his passion to not eat things is greater than the hunger.we have to limit his chips and we make him drink water but he would live like that forever we get tired of fighting but keep trying.
•    Anonymous said... We discovered dairy sent our son hyperactive, much calmer without it.
 
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How to Explain High-Functioning Autism to Your Child and the Siblings

“We recently got a diagnosis. How should I explain high functioning autism to my affected son and his ‘typical’ siblings?"

Kids with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) and Asperger’s (AS) are very intelligent and inquisitive. Their struggles are obvious to them, but they may not be able to actually pinpoint the areas of weakness.

If asked, young people with HFA will tell you that they are different from their friends and siblings. Their friends and siblings also notice the differences. It can be difficult to live with and understand a youngster with HFA. It can be tough for all involved.

You should be completely honest with all your kids about HFA. The youngster who has this disorder needs to understand the condition in age-appropriate context. Your “neurotyical” kids need to know about HFA so that they will be able to support their brother as much as possible.

Educate yourself about HFA so you can share the details with everyone involved with your child (e.g., teachers, pastors, youth workers, etc.). Contact your local Autism society chapter and ask for information on the disorder and also about the events in your area that they sponsor. Ask about support group sessions and educational events for the affected child’s brothers and sisters.

Speak with the special education staff at your son’s school about resources that can assist in explaining HFA to your youngster and his siblings, as well as information that will help you discuss HFA with your extended family.

You can find a lot of information on the Internet. The Autism Society and other Autism support organizations have websites chock-full of information and materials for families affected by HFA. Other websites offer testimonials and products produced by people with HFA, families affected by HFA, and professionals trained to treat the challenges associated with HFA.

Your kids will be more comfortable when they know exactly what having HFA means. They will see that while there are challenges to overcome, there are also numerous strengths associated with this disorder.

For more in-depth information about how to explain HFA and AS to “neurotypical” siblings, go to this post: Explaining Aspergers To Your Neurotypical Children


Resources for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum:
 
 
 
More articles for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum:
 
Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the ASD child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

Click here to read the full article…

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Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the Asperger's or HFA child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and your child are totally exhausted. But... don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. At the least provocation, for the remainder of that day -- and sometimes into the next - the meltdown can return in full force.

Click here for the full article...

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Although Aspergers [high-functioning autism] is at the milder end of the autism spectrum, the challenges parents face when disciplining a teenager on the spectrum are more difficult than they would be with an average teen. Complicated by defiant behavior, the teen is at risk for even greater difficulties on multiple levels – unless the parents’ disciplinary techniques are tailored to their child's special needs.

Click here to read the full article…

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Your older teenager or young “adult child” isn’t sure what to do, and he is asking you for money every few days. How do you cut the purse strings and teach him to be independent? Parents of teens with ASD face many problems that other parents do not. Time is running out for teaching their adolescent how to become an independent adult. As one mother put it, "There's so little time, yet so much left to do."

Click here to read the full article…

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Two traits often found in kids with High-Functioning Autism are “mind-blindness” (i.e., the inability to predict the beliefs and intentions of others) and “alexithymia” (i.e., the inability to identify and interpret emotional signals in others). These two traits reduce the youngster’s ability to empathize with peers. As a result, he or she may be perceived by adults and other children as selfish, insensitive and uncaring.

Click here to read the full article...

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Become an expert in helping your child cope with his or her “out-of-control” emotions, inability to make and keep friends, stress, anger, thinking errors, and resistance to change.

Click here for the full article...


 PARENTS' COMMENTS:

•    Anonymous said... Google the Arthur tv episode
•    Anonymous said... I agree and do the same with my daughter Kristin... I pray every day ... She's my heart and soul ..
•    Anonymous said... I treat my son no different than anyone else, and expose him to as much as he can, to experience life, and not hold him back. He's expected to pull his own weight at home and has certain responsibilities.
•    Anonymous said... We talk about how our brains work differently, so my daughters might think my son is saying or doing something that is unusual to them. I point out that he feels the same way about them sometimes too and we all need to accept we are different. It doesn't make anyone wrong, just not the same. They all know that he has to work at understanding society's rules but doesn't get it right all the time and that's ok. Good luck with it all
•    Anonymous said... What I tell people is that my son struggles with social skills, just like Jimmy may struggle in math or Lucy struggles in English. Everybody has a hard time with something, and ---- has a hard time with social skills. The parents in our neighborhood asked how to explain it to their kids, and this seems to work. My son is really good at scholastics, so I would point that out and then say that he has to practice social skills just like Jimmy has to practice his math skills. I hope this helps. Good luck to you.
*   Anonymous said... We had a great experience reading "Can I Tell You About Asperger Syndrome?" with our 8-year-old Aspie. We've talked a lot over the years about differences people have in learning, in strengths and weaknesses, in friendship and emotional control. We got the diagnosis shortly before his 7th birthday and have recently felt ready to give him a name for it. This book was great, and I wrote out "Asperger Syndrome" "AS" "Aspie" and "Aspergian" for him on a piece of paper. He's asked us to use "Aspie."

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ASD: Difficulty Identifying and Interpreting Emotional Signals in Others

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual's ability to communicate, interact w...