Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Helping Preteens and Teens Get Ready for the Real World

Sex. Slang. Slumber parties. The preoccupations of adolescents with Asperger Syndrome are no different than those of other teens, but they can be much more confusing. The lack of social skills and ability to grasp conversational nuances that characterize AS make adolescence the most difficult life stage.

• Why can I swear in front of my friends, but not in front of the teacher?
• Why do I have to pay attention when I'm not interested in what my friend is saying?
• What does it mean to 'go out' with somebody?

Asperger Syndrome is characterized by a reliance on clear guidelines, and in adolescence the social guidelines become murky and confusing. In Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence, child psychologist Teresa Bolick presents strategies for helping the ten to eighteen-year-old achieve happiness and success by maximizing the benefits of AS and minimizing the drawbacks.

You'll Learn:

• How to work with the school to help the AS child learn and succeed.
• Strategies for turning common AS traits like preoccupations and routines into positive strengths.
• How to help the AS teen learn to manage unforeseen glitches with grace.
• The best ways to talk to your teen about friendship, love, romance, and sex.

Along the way, you'll be inspired by success stories of dozens of AS teens. With the help of this book, you'll learn that it is possible for an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome to achieve unimaginable success.