Socialization tips for people with Asperger's are important. Asperger's is a high functioning form of autism. Individuals may lead very productive, full lives especially when they learn to manage socialization.
Socialization and Asperger Syndrome
Those with Aspergers Syndrome often develop limited interests and unusually routines. They may have speech and language differences, such as speaking very formally or in a monotone. Many are clumsy and uncoordinated. However, socialization is often the most difficult challenge.
Those with Asperger syndrome may have problems using and understanding nonverbal communication. This includes the use of gestures, facial expressions and body language. In addition, they may have socially inappropriate behaviors, which severely restrict them from having successful relationships with peers. To improve these situations, individuals with Asperger syndrome need to learn coping methods as well as expand their understanding of socialization.
Those with Asperger syndrome usually want to fit in and have relationships with other people. They just do not know how to do so properly. They lack an understanding of conventional social rules and often appear to lack empathy.
A Few Socialization Tips for People with Aspergers
In order to improve socialization, people with AS need to learn and focus on socialization intellectually. What may come naturally for those without Aspergers or autism needs concentration by those with the condition.
- Education Is Key: Education is an important part of Asperger socialization. Young children may be unable to grasp socialization skills initially, but as they get older, they can learn what gestures mean and how to interact with peers.
- Professional Social Help: Work with a psychologist and counselor to teach and improve social skills. Some with this high form of autism can learn to be social. Therapies often teach Asperger patients to recognize potential problem situations. In addition, these professionals teach and practice strategies with patients so they can handle most situations.
- Communicate with Pictures: To teach young children to be social, incorporate picture stories into their daily lives. This is important for difficult subjects such as sharing and communicating feelings. The stories should communicate how to handle the situation.
- Rules of Social Language: Work with a speech pathologist that will evaluate and offer help for children with language. Even though the child may speak perfectly, learning social language is often necessary. Learning eye contact from a speech pathologist, for example, is an important skill.
- Help Them Make Friends: In school and other social situations, those with Asperger syndrome will perform best with a parent's aid. Find a friend for the student at school that they know and can work with. The child may eventually learn from the friend how to interact.
Being Social with Asperger Syndrome
Perhaps the best socialization tips for people with Aspergers come from practice. The only way for the child or adult to learn how to be social is to participate in numerous events and outings.
- Be involved in sports and extracurricular activities. Through practice, children and young adults learn to be socially positive.
- During teen years, dating is often difficult. Encourage teens to go out with friends and to date. It may take practice, but they will learn social skills with each outing.
- Utilize role-play at home prior to any type of excursion. Role-play allows the individual to image all of the various scenarios that could happen. Then, teach strategies for dealing with situations that are difficult.
- Encourage socialization from a young age by bringing other children into the home. With supervision, allow play dates to be teaching moments, too. A parent may say, "See how Billy has his hand outstretched? That means he wants to say hello with a handshake. Shake his hand."
- Reduce anxiety for your child whenever possible. Keep the rest of their life structured and organized as well as ensure that the environment is a positive and rewarding one for them. This allows them to focus on social interactions without concern about other difficulties.
