How to Help a Child with Asperger's Make Friends

If your child has Asperger’s, they may find it difficult to socialize and develop relationships with other children. How to help a child with Asperger’s make friends?

Asperger’s syndrome was previously identified as its own condition, had its own diagnosis. Nowadays, it is identified as part of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, most people still refer to it as “Asperger’s.” This condition is a developmental disorder which often results in communication and behavioral problems.

Most people who are diagnosed with this usually have a high level of intelligence and no speech conditions or delays. However, there may be concerns in their behavior and the way that they act in terms of speaking, learning, and in the case of children, in playing alone or with other kids.

How to Help a Child with Asperger’s Make Friends: What Does Asperger’s Entail?

Asperger’s tends to manifest among people at very early ages. There are plenty of signs that may point to your child having it. A few of these are:

Children with Asperger’s may not like the concept of abstract thinking as well or pretend playing. They might have issues with physical contact such as being held, being cuddled, or simply being touched. They may have unusual reactions towards the things they hear, smell, and even taste. These might not be noticeable at first but as time passes by, it will become more and more evident.

How to Help a Child with Asperger’s Make Friends: The Importance of Helping Children with Asperger’s

One of the most important things that a child can have in life is not just their parents, shelter, or the right amount of love – it’s the friends they gain as they grow. Friends can help them shape their own opinions and further improve their development as people. Having friends helps a child’s social and emotional well-being, and may boost their self-esteem and confidence.

As children develop, they may learn about social cues and managing emotions on their own. These enrich them in terms of emotional knowledge, and help them respond well to other people, especially in terms of feelings, cooperation, and problem-solving. Children with Asperger’s have the most difficulty in this area and that is why it is important to provide as much aid as they need as soon as possible.

How to Help a Child with Asperger’s Make Friends

You cannot force other children to be friends with your child, but you can shape your child’s development in ways that can optimize their capabilities. There will be lots of opportunities for your child to make friends, especially when exposed to public settings like school and playgrounds. It’s best to prepare children with Asperger’s as they explore life on their own.

Here are some things you can do to help:

Observe your child and ask about what they like

When you figure out the things that they like, you can find other children as well who might have the same interests. You could let them join a club or group focused on these interests, or find groups of children that talk about it.

Openly let your child find friends in public, kid-friendly spaces

These include playgrounds or even the children in school. Inviting them over to your home to spend time with your child will immensely help in opening up your child to social experiences, and it will help more if the other children and your child have the same interests. This means they could enjoy some activities that include playing with the same toys.

Professional resources

There are plenty of professional resources you can seek out to support you and your child. These include:

• Social skills therapy
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Cognitive behavior therapy

Learn more about Developmental Disorders here.