My 13 year old is part way through the diagnosis process and its clearear that its going to be Aspergers as so many things fit.
He has had a terrible time struggling to cope at secondary school and is on medication and therapy for depression and anxiety. He attends a small school for children not well enough for mainstream.
he is worried about the future and does not believe he will be able to get a job.
I would really appreciate some advice as to what to say to him to help him accept who and what he is and to help him believe that he can be successful as an adult.
thanks!
I can only imagine how hard that must be for a thirteen year old to accept, all i can say is what i plan on doing for my six year old when i eventually tell him. Keep pushing all the things that he is good at that make him unique, try enrolling him in a club for a cnfidence boost again something he may enjoy and excel at. It will take time but keep on pushing all the things he is good at ignore the rest we all have things we cannot do even those of us not on the spectrum, he needs his confidence boosted in a big way to help him see all is not lost.
I like Tony Attwoods idea, when he tells someone they have Aspergers he says "congratulations you have Aspergers"! , great memory, fantastic attention to detail, clever and that perfectionism trait can be a real bonus to an employer? he can and i am sure will suceed, he just needs help believing it and some careful career planning there are alot of good jobs out there for Aspies.
I can only imagine how hard that must be for a thirteen year old to accept, all i can say is what i plan on doing for my six year old when i eventually tell him. Keep pushing all the things that he is good at that make him unique, try enrolling him in a club for a cnfidence boost again something he may enjoy and excel at. It will take time but keep on pushing all the things he is good at ignore the rest we all have things we cannot do even those of us not on the spectrum, he needs his confidence boosted in a big way to help him see all is not lost.
I like Tony Attwoods idea, when he tells someone they have Aspergers he says "congratulations you have Aspergers"! , great memory, fantastic attention to detail, clever and that perfectionism trait can be a real bonus to an employer? he can and i am sure will suceed, he just needs help believing it and some careful career planning there are alot of good jobs out there for Aspies.
