FollowParenting Tips for the High Functioning Autistic Teen
If you are the parent of a teenager with high functioning autism, you are more than likely wondering how in the world you are going to properly parent your teen. While it is true that this is not something your teen will ever grow out of, there are some tips that you can use to help your teen so they can grow, learn and thrive.
Be clear and direct- It is important that they know exactly what it is you expect from them and how it is that you feel. You can’t assume that your child will figure things out because they won’t. You need to tell them the whys and wants.
Accept them the way they are- Some parents of high functioning autistic teens will focus solely on how their teen is different from the other kids. You don’t want to be one of those parents. You want to be the parent that practices acceptance. Enjoy all the special quirks that your child has and celebrate all of their successes, no matter how small. Your teen needs to feel loved unconditionally and they need to be accepted more than anything else.
Be consistent- Kids that have high functioning autism often have a tough time adapting what they learn in one setting like school to another setting like home. Your teen’s environment needs to have consistency in order to reinforce learning. Find out what they are doing at school and use those techniques at home.
Become an expert on your teen- You need to take the time and really study your teenager. Discover the things that trigger their disruptive behavior and the things that elicit a positive response. Find out what your teen finds calming, stressful, enjoyable and uncomfortable. If you know what affect your teen, you can better handle the problem and prevent it from happening again.
You need to take a break- No matter how much you are committed to your autistic teen, you need a break every now and then. You can look into respite care or have a family member look after your teen, even if it is for a few hours.
