Helping Your Child Overcome Asperger's Syndrome Related Apathy

Parents who have a child diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome become quite familiar with the apathy that threatens to overtake their child’s day to day activities. While it only appears once in a while, when it does become obvious, it is more or less a showstopper. The child with Asperger’s Syndrome who suddenly suffers from apathy is unable to comply with even the simplest requests. Initially parents may believe their child to be disobedient or defiant, but before long it becomes obvious that instead of disobedience, it is the condition that is to blame for the sudden lack of compliance.

There are steps parents can take for helping your child overcome Asperger’s Syndrome related apathy.

* Become a calm cheerleader. It may seem odd to applaud your child’s effort at making it from the bathroom to the kitchen table, but when you consider that for the child with Asperger’s Syndrome apathy this may be a huge and seemingly insurmountable hurdle, the necessity of a cheerleader soon becomes obvious. Remember that your child cannot be rushed at this point, but even the smallest advance can be lauded. Doing this has the added benefit of not causing a further shutdown in the individual, such as it is likely to occur if you, as the parent, suddenly vent your own frustrations on the subject. * Understand that stress is the reason for apathy for those with Asperger’s Syndrome. Gaining a better understanding about what it is that may have caused the stress will go a long ways to helping you and the child understand the sudden occurrence of the apathy. In some cases the child may actually know why she or he does not wish to engage in a certain activity, but instead of sharing the feelings, the youngster may simply resolve to solve them alone by refusing to do certain things. To this end, dealing with the apathy on a verbal level may actually lead you to a number of underlying issues that also require your attention. * Make the most of tactile stimulation. This is to be used carefully and advisedly but when you and your child work out a system that works, you will find that it is enormously effective. Combine a predetermined touch with a simple set of instructions. You may squeeze your child’s hand while suggesting that she close the closet door, if you notice her spacing out in front of the closet for a length of time.

In some cases you may have to go with your gut instinct. By and large the deceptive calm of the child with Asperger’s Syndrome who is seemingly frozen in apathy in the hallways is actually the home to a nervous and anxious mind. Help your child to relax and recuperate from the fear and anxiety he is experiencing. Suggest breathing exercises or simply massage his back while speaking to him in a calm voice. Although this is not a cure all, it goes a long way to simply ignoring the behavior, or worse, becoming frustrated and unloading this parental frustration on the child.