Obsessions and Fixations (Or we don't want to hear about Pokemon anymore!)

So, your child probably has a favorite subject: tornadoes, Thomas the Train, Pokemon, My Little Pony, earthquakes, etc. Chances are you have read him books about it, watched shows about it, and heard every fact about Pikachu that you ever care to hear. How can you teach your child some conversational social skills?


The Three Things Rule

Teach your child that he can tell you three things about his topic, then that is it for a said time period. You may have to start out small: 3 things for 20 minutes and set a timer and work up from there.

Engaging in Conversation

Practice conversation skills in the car or whenever you have a few extra minutes. Say, "What do you say/do when you knock on the door and someone answers?" or "What do you say when you meet someone for the first time?" practicing these skills beforehand will take some anxiety and awkwardness out of these situations.

If you know you have a party or family event soon, focus on scenarios specific to that event. Explain what may happen at the event, who may be there, and what people may be talking about. Emphasize that  not everyone cares about his topic of interest and that he needs to ask questions about other peoples interests after saying three things about his interests.

These strategies will help your child begin to think about others, their thoughts, and their feelings, making him more aware of the world around him. Also encourage him to learn about new things outside of his specified area of interest. 


Have you used other strategies that worked well? Comment below and tell us about them!

Autism Spectrum Disorders After High School

So your child is graduating  from high school this school year... then what? This is a tough topic for all parents, but parents of graduates that are on the Autism Spectrum may find themselves with extra stress. Many questions loom including:  Can he get a job? Can he go to trade school? Will he be able to pass college classes?

In order to find the most appropriate after high school placement for your student, it is best to start planning now, if you haven't already. While he is in high school, he may be eligible for services to get him started on the right track. Ask you IEP team about Vocational Rehabilitation services or similar services offered in your state. If you do not have support at the school, contact a local agency and speak to an advocate that can help you. In Oklahoma TARC is a great place to start. ARC is available in many states as well. They will be able to help you decide what your next steps are. Your child can try out programs at workshops, in group settings, jobs with a coach, and  independent jobs. He may benefit from going through a job training program.

If he is on the college track, take him to sit through some freshman classes and take notes. Have him meet with a college professor and adviser to evaluate the situation. Have him dual enroll in high school and one college course to try it out.  Most colleges have a department of disabilities that can tell you about what services they offer. Most have tutoring, audio books, braille books, and other services.

Many resources are out there for you, but you must plan ahead to take full advantage of these. Make some contacts this summer and schedule an IEP team meeting as soon as school starts to get your child on the path to success after high school!