advice for parent of ASD/High functioning aspergers child

Data10
Thu, 06 Dec 2018 21:18:33 +0000

I am on the ASD/autism spectrum, have attended highly selective colleges, and have several traits in common with the OP’s son. I’d suggest trying to understand why he chooses the behaviors you listed, and trying to get him to understand why you believe they are problematic. I’d also suggest looking beyond reasons like it is what the average person does, and emphasizing what the advantages/disadvantages of that behavior are for your son.

For example, you mentioned showering. Is his problem with showering that it feels unpleasant, wetness, temperature delta, that it requires leaving room, that he doesn’t personally care and only does so for the benefit of others, or something else? is your problem with the lack of showering that you believe it is necessary to shower daily, that he smells bad, that he is sweating with athletic activity and not washing off, skin complexion issues, or something else? For most people, showering daily isn’t necessary or even desirable from a dermatological perspective. However, if he is sweating with athletic activity or getting to the point of having body odor issues, then that’s a different story,