Preparing an Asperger's Syndrome Child for the Learning Environment of School

As the parent or caregiver of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome you know that there is a lot that goes into the daily parenting experience. At the same time, there are a lot of processes you need to prepare for, especially when it comes to letting the child leave the safe environment of your home in favor of the classroom. Fortunately, there are a number of steps a parent can take when it comes to preparing an Asperger’s Syndrome child for the learning environment of school.

* Model and role play social situations. Do not focus on all the things that could go wrong, but instead keep it positive and upbeat. Teach the child how to make friends, how to introduce themselves, and also how to interact in a group environment. Role playing is very useful when it comes to meeting new people, learning how to ask someone else to play, wanting to joint a group of kids who are already playing together, and also communicating dislikes to others.

* Introduce the child to the learning environment before the first day of class. Asperger’s Syndrome students loathe the unknown and if you can take your child to the school ahead of time and allow her to see her room and maybe even her desk, the initial few days in a new environment will be a lot less stressful.

* Set a routine that incorporates nutritious food and plenty of sleep for the child. A child who is tired or has not eaten well cannot function at the best possible to begin with; for a child with Asperger’s Syndrome it is a recipe for disaster.

* Use a large number of verbal stories and anecdotes that show the educational process in the best light possible. Recount funny stories from your youth that show how much fun school is. If you need to fib a little to make a story have a good outcome, do it. This is not the time to burden the child with your anxieties and failures and instead should be an exercise of building him up and getting him ready to join the ranks of so many others who thoroughly enjoy school.

* Enlist the help of a buddy. If your child has a good friend who also goes to the school, even if she or he is a few years ahead of your child, this might be a great way for the fears to also be dealt with on a peer level. Someone who has been there and knows the ropes can make the transition easier by looking for your child on the first day of class and welcoming them onto the playground. Even as this is only a very small gesture, it goes a long ways to making the transition process easier.

Granted, these steps can only prepare your child to go into a situation that neither you nor the child can be totally sure of, but if you remember to listen to your child’s recounting of the events of the day, you will be clued in quickly where additional help is needed.