Expert: James Michael Roan - 1/27/2008

Question
i have a 15 year old daughter diagnosed with as. she and we need an outlet. i saw a special on abc.com about girls with as but can't get anywhere. i just want her to know there are coping skills she can acquire. can you help?

Answer
Hi Lisa;

There is actually too much information out there and it's hard to navigate through it. The central issue in AS is social issues such as "reading" the unwritten curriculum at school or the work place, maintaining relationships with people, and playing the social game. Michelle Garcia-Winner (www.socialthinking.com)is an excellent source of books that teach social skills. Tony Attwood is another excellent source on Asperger's syndrome. He knows his stuff and is not a crook. Actually, his materials are priced too low considering the quality, etc.

I recommend you join a forum or two to chat with others and how they cope with their children and how teens deal with issues of dating, friendship, and intimacy. I use this one:
autism-aspergers@yahoogroups.com

There is one in Dublin Ireland hosted by a friend of mine who is female and 24.

Kind regards,
James