| A period of change can be a very hectic time for | | | | changed, so another approach should be |
| a parent of an Asperger's child, and even more | | | | considered. |
| chaotic for the child themselves. It's important | | | | So what can you do to make things easier for |
| that a parent acknowledge how difficult a | | | | everyone involved? The answer is quite simply, |
| transition can be for an Asperger's child and try | | | | preparation. If your child is regularly agitated due |
| to help them through it. | | | | to the amount of change or inconsistency in their |
| One of the traits of Asperger's Syndrome is a | | | | daily life, then adding more structure would be the |
| general inflexibility when it comes to dealing with | | | | first step in easing those tensions. Putting |
| change. Asperger's kids understand their world as | | | | together a schedule of recurring activities so they |
| black and white, right or wrong, this way or that | | | | know what to expect regularly. When a change is |
| way and there is no room for anything in | | | | due, prepare the child for the change as early as |
| between. They don't understand exceptions to | | | | appropriate for the change. For example, |
| the rules or loopholes and have a strong desire | | | | preparing the child for the doctor's appointment a |
| for consistency. Some Asperger's kids also believe | | | | day or two ahead of time should be sufficient. A |
| others should do things the way they do. | | | | bigger change would require a longer processing |
| Changes come in all shapes and sizes. A change in | | | | and preparing time for the child. |
| a daily schedule to go to a doctor's appointment | | | | Letting the child know early about upcoming |
| for example, would be easy to handle for many | | | | change is the best way to help the child deal with |
| folks, but could start a meltdown for an | | | | what happens. Obviously, not all change is planned |
| Asperger's kid. And while a big move to a new | | | | or expected so those times would be good |
| house and a new school is traumatic for a lot of | | | | opportunities to discuss how to deal with it and be |
| kids, this can be absolutely devastating to an | | | | flexible. Most importantly, try to keep the child |
| Asperger kid. As hard as it may be to deal with, | | | | calm and let him know that everything is still OK |
| change is inevitable and the child cannot be | | | | even though it didn't go as planned. |