Women and Family

A First Look at Aspergers: for Kids & Teens

by Sarah Freeman February 6, 2015

There are many different types of bodies and many different types of brains!

People come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Part of growing up is learning what you need to do for your type of body. For example, if you were allergic to peanuts, you would need to learn to eat in a special way.

Although you usually cannot tell by looking, people’s brains are also very different. It doesn’t mean that one brain is better than another brain; it just means it is different.

For example, Becky might have a brain that makes it easy to learn math, but hard to learn to play ball. Joe might have a brain that makes it much harder to learn math, but easier to learn to catch a ball. Joe would need to work hard to learn math, and maybe take special classes to help him learn math.

Part of growing up is learning what you need to do to be happy and successful with your type of brain.

You may have noticed that sometimes you seem to think a little differently than some other people. That is because you have Aspergers, which means you have an Aspergers type of brain.

You can not tell by looking what someone’s brain is like.

You can not tell by looking at a person what their brain is like.

Here are a few things you should know about Aspergers:

1.Over one in one hundred people have Aspergers. Although you may not know a lot of people with Aspergers, there are lots of people who have this type of brain! Some scientists believe Abraham Lincoln and Einstein had Aspergers.

2.Your brain works in a special way that makes some things easier.

3.Your brain works in a special way that also makes some things more difficult.

4.People have spent a lot of time figuring out how to help people with Aspergers learn what they need to know to lead happy lives. There are books, therapists, classes, and even groups to help you.

Some things are easier for some people with Aspergers. For example, it may be easier to:

◦Focus or concentrate on one thing.

◦Memorize things and remember lots of things such as dates, things that happened, or facts.

◦Find certain things interesting and like learning about them.

◦Figure out how to do certain things, such as use computers.

◦Be honest.

◦Be a loyal friend.

◦Hear or smell certain things.

There are things you can learn that will make it easier to have fun and make friends.

There are things you can learn that will make it easier to have fun and make friends.

Some things are harder for some people with Aspergers. For example, it may be harder to:

◦Learn to make friends.

◦Know what to say or do social situations.

◦Know how to join a group of people that are talking.

◦Understand when or why people are upset or happy.

◦Not be upset by certain noises or smells.

One thing that might be interesting would be to make a list of things that seem easier for you, and a list of things that seem harder for you. You may want to write this on a big sheet of paper, or type it on your computer. Try to think of as many examples as you can; you might be surprised to see how many things you are good at!

Whoever showed you this blog post cares about you. As time goes on, they will help you learn more about Aspergers. They will also help you learn about things you can do with your parents, teachers, therapists, or groups to make your life easier and happy.

Sarah Freeman is an ABA therapist who specializes in working with autistic children and their families. She is also a storyteller, songwriter and writer, and has written several published technical articles as well as articles for parents and other adults. Her company, Airy Melody Music, produces relaxation CDs and MP3s. These calming narratives, created with experts, utilize clinically-proven techniques that help relax, induce sleep, and accelerate healing. www.airy-melody.com
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The Author

Walt Alexander

Walt Alexander

Walt Alexander is the editor-in-chief of Men of Value. Learn more about his vision for the online magazine for American men with the American values—faith, family & freedom—in his Welcome from the Editor.

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