Teens Coping With Asperger's Syndrome

The teen years are challenging enough without having to deal with being labeled eccentric or odd by your peers. Teens are dealing with the body changes of puberty, the increasing sexual hormones, and a thinking process that changes from that of a child to that of an adult having to deal with abstract ideas, the emerging social scene that means new people, new experiences, and a need for maturity to be able to handle it all. Communication is very critical for survival in the teen years and those with Asperger's Syndrome have difficulty with non-verbal communication and with being able to relate to others. During the teen years it is important for a teen to be able to fit in and belong to a group. With those teens that have Asperger's Syndrome the ability to fit in is hampered by the inability to communicate effectively with others. In an effort to fit in those teens that have Asperger's Syndrome may do things out of character just to gain approval from peers, hide their weaknesses and exaggerate their strength s to look important and to impress others. It is sometimes easier for the teen with Asperger's Syndrome to deal with those who are younger or older than they are instead of trying to fit into same age crowds.

Teens showing anxiety for social situations as those with Asperger's Syndrome often do, may respond well to anti-anxiety medication and be able to function better in school because of the medication.

It is during the teen years that the individual with Asperger's Syndrome comes to realize that they are different from others and the knowledge may initiate going through stages of loss and acceptance much like the stages of grief including anger, denial, depression, acceptance, and finally the stage where they begin to adapt to their differences and embrace them instead of being ashamed of them.

Parents, teachers and caregivers of the teen with Asperger's Syndrome can facilitate the acceptance and management of the condition by not bringing up the subject unless the teen initiates it, and when it is discussed giving the teen your best, "listening ear", being patient and non-judgmental. Try not to change the subject on the teen, or to minimize the difficulties that the teen is facing. Keep the conversation real and don't allow the teen to exaggerate the circumstances. Gently suggest counseling, as a means for letting the teen express what he or she is experiencing.

Remember when trying to gently persuade a teen to seek professional help it is best to remember that those with Asperger's Syndrome are very literal. Sometimes ideas such as getting into counseling are received better if they come from a peer, family friend, or someone else that the teen trust other than a parent because as we all know teens are trying to separate their identity from that of their parents.

Because other conditions may be associated with that of Asperger's Syndrome such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder pay close attention for signs of these conditions such as being sad most of the time, being irritable or angry without provocation, not being able to sleep well because of difficulty getting or staying asleep, eating habits that change, and the teen putting themselves down or making remarks about hating life, or wishing he or she were dead. Teens that withdrawal from those they love or activities that they love should also be monitored closely.

Organizations such as the Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the U.S. and the Autism Society of America have local chapters that you can join which may help to deal with the teen going through the turbulent years of adolescence while having Asperger's Syndrome.

Teens with Asperger's Syndrome like all other teens will be noticing sexuality development and will need to deal with new social situations and with raging hormones. Communicate to your teen messages about safe sex and how to relate to the person of the opposite sex in appropriate ways using step-by-step explanations avoiding overwhelming them with the "big picture".