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Asperger's Syndrome
Little Known Ways to Channel Your Aspergers Child's Strengths
Should Thomas Edison have been an NFL football player?
Posted June 24, 2010
It's very easy, in a mainstream world of NT's (neurotypicals) to get caught in a mental trap of deficits. What do I mean by this?
Well, as a video on the PBS Kids' show, Arthur, recently explained, being on the autism spectrum is like landing on an alien planet and having no idea of the language or the customs.
Another analogy might be going to a foreign country, where you do not speak the language at all, and be told that you must adapt 100% and with ease to life in that country. It will take years and years to learn the customs, language, and expectations.
Then, on top of all that, imagine that you are told that you must have something wrong with you because you don't quite understand how to speak the language fluently, or you don't 'get' all their social customs.
As parents (or as individuals on the autism spectrum), we can start to focus on 'deficits' that we need to work on.
And guess what gets lost in the picture?
Your (or your child's) strengths!
Portland-Seattle April 2008- Chain Link
True Strengths and Natural Abilities
Remarkable Memory
Many children with Aspergers have an almost photographic memory. This could possibly be because of a tendency of individuals with Asperger's to 'think in pictures,' as Temple Grandin has described it.
As parents, you can encourage your child to use this skill in a functional manner whenver possible. For example, you could provide him or her with a list of topics that other kids like to talk about, which s/he can commit to memory. Or, s/he can learn different facts about other kids from their class, such as birthdays, favorite topics, interests. Even though your child's interest may be specialized, perhaps the aptitude for remembering many facts will generalize to other domains.
Superior Academic Skills
Many children with Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism have stronger than average academic abilities in one or two domains. Spelling is something many children on the autism spectrum are gifted at.
One child had a hard time interacting with her peers in class. However, she was an excellent student, particularly in English. The school psychologist suggested to her teacher that she be able to assist other kids in her class who were having difficulty with reading. She was able to do so, and her self-esteem and connection with kids in her class was increased.
Visual Thinking
Many people on the autism spectrum have strong visual/spatial abilities, which gives them advanced abilities in completing puzles, reading maps, or quickly figuring out the layout of a building. Many NT's, such as artists, graphic designers, illustrators, architects, amthematicians, and engineers are visual thinkers. Visual thinking is a different way of processing information, not a deficit.
You can use your child's visual thinking style to teach concepts, explain rules, organize activities, or anticipate changes in routine. For example, you can use visual graphics or objects rather than word problems to help your child grasp math concepts.
Instead of engaging in a daily struggle over homework, you can also use a visual schedule to communicate what the schedule for school days will be, for example: snach, homework, video, bedtime.
Become a Sleuth!
The natural abilities listed above are only a few of the positive characteristics of the autism spectrum. I encourage you to become a sleuth, a detective. Every person has so many unique character traits, interests, talents, abilities, and strengths. Often, if we will be careful to look for them, we will see them.
Here are some questions for you, as a parent, to ask yourself regarding your child:
What does your child enjoy?
What does s/he do with her free time?
What things does s/he ask you about?
Whak kinds of items does s/he ask you to buy?
What are his/her favorite subjects in school?
When is your child most successful?
What are areas in which you child is currently doing well or has succeeded in the past.
Are there particular subjects in school that s/he excells in?
Are there certain social settings that your child does better in than in other social situations?
What does your child not mind doing?
Pay attention to the things your child loves doing, or has no resistance to doing.
On the other hand, it can be just as helfpul to notice what s/he has no desire or even fights doing.
Make a scrapbook!
This is a fun way to capture your child's unique strengths, interests, talents, and accomplishments. It can become a sort of ongoing operating manual of your child's strengths.
Involve your child. Show your child the list of strengths you have gathered, and ask for her or his input. Ask if your child agrees with these strengths and if s/he can think of any others. If s/he needs examples, give a couple.
Finally, examine the observations you have made, and look for patterns or themes. You may see different talents reflected in the areas of interest. For example, one child on the autism spectrum I know is a very good writer and artist. He is constantly drawing his characters, and aspires to be a cartoon artist someday. The visual thinking pattern and verbal intelligence is reflected in those activities.
Every child has a unique temperament, personality, preferences and interests. Overlay that with the vast universe of variety that is the autism spectrum, and you can understand why you need to study each child uniquely.
Once you have a good understanding of your child's stregths, use your understanding of his/her preferences, inclinations, strengths, and passions, and use them on a daily basis, working them into areas like chores, discipline, positive relationships, school and future jobs.
By highlighting and capitalizing your child's strengths, you will be sending the message that you believe in and embrace your child as a unique and gifted citizen of our world.
To Adults on the Autism Spectrum Reading This:
I apologize that I focused almost entirely on parenting and children in this article. However, I would encourage you to go through every one of these points and be your own parent!
What I mean is that you need to get alone, and do some writing or drawing. Reflect on your own gifts, talents, abilities, passions. I would encourage you to read a book like What Color is Your Parachute, by Richard N. Bolles. He does a fine job of helping his readers identify the above in the job hunting process.
