Social skills can bring about new challenges for teenagers. The teenage years can be an uncomfortable and overwhelming period of uncertainty, changes, and realizations about oneself. Teens have a natural desire to want to fit in and feel liked by others. Teens with Aspergers are no different. They too want to fit in and navigate themselves in a socially appropriate way. They may just need a little extra help learning the ropes of social skills. Social skills education for teens with aspergers plays a critical role in helping them develop useful skills for communication and being functioning members of society.
Learn the Basics of Social Skills Education For Teens With Aspergers
Teens with Aspergers sometimes have a more difficult time picking up on social cues or understanding unstated social rules. It’s important to consider and teach these things. Since they don’t have the same intuition as typical kids it’s easier for them to be put into a situation they won’t understand or know how to react, therefore they may end up being hurt physically and/or emotionally. Just being aware that these things could happen and how to handle them or prevent them can be crucial to your child’s success and well-being. Small but meaningful things we may not address, but should consider include the following:
- Leaving the stall door open in a public bathroom
- Accepting rides from friends who can drive, who may not have good intentions
- Things that can happen when driving, like carjacking or being pulled over by a police officer who doesn’t understand autism.
- Body language
- Dealing with anxiety
- How to find, make and share new friends
- Sharing personal information
- “Friends” taking advantage of your child or their belongings
Teach the Basics
After educating yourself on areas where your teen may need help, then you should develop a plan of action. Remember, everyone learns differently. What works for one may not work for all. Learning social skills requires time and focus. However, there are subtle ways you can help your teen practice their skills on a daily basis. Some ways in which you may look into educating them could include the following:
- Social stories. Set up scenarios and tell your teen stories to help them better understand why we act a certain way or how to handle certain interactions.
- Play acting or peer modeling. Role play is a great way to give your teen practice that will make them feel more prepared to handle social situations.
- Books and videos. Look into resources on the web and around you. There are many hands on resources that could better help explain things to your teen.
Seven Stars can help
Seven Stars is a small treatment program for young men and women ages 13-17 struggling with Autism-related issues. The program provides acute care stabilization, residential treatment, academic programs, adventure-based therapy, skill building, and positive psychology. These various programs and therapies help students to improve their confidence, self-awareness, and personal management. Seven Stars provides students with individualized access to the resources they need to transition to the real-world practicing healthier habits and self-control. We can help your family today!
Contact us at 844-601-1167.
Since 2003, Dr. Gordon Day has passionately helped young people with a wide range of family, emotional, social, neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems. Gordon’s mission has been to help people find their strengths and their own passion for living a full and rewarding life. He is particularly sensitive to the pressures, frustrations and disappointments that adolescents face that can sometimes cause them and their loved ones to want to withdraw and throw their hands up in despair.
Dr. Day knows that you really have to understand where a student is coming from and understand their patterns of strengths and needs. When we truly know an individual and their struggles, only then can we truly help.
Dr. Day has pioneered the use of outdoor therapy activities and outdoor living as a dynamic and effective therapeutic tool for learning, confidence building and skill building. His programs provide effective, supportive and encouraging environments that help students find their strengths and power.
