Comments on: It’s my birthday! http://autisticchildren.com.au/386/its-my-birthday/ A blog about raising an autistic child Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:51:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sarah http://autisticchildren.com.au/386/its-my-birthday/comment-page-1/#comment-334 Sarah Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:58:15 +0000 http://autisticchildren.com.au/?p=386#comment-334 hi Natalie. No, Beth doesn't really have this problem, I think that's the big difference between autism and aspergers, Beth doesn't really have terribly high expectations of herself which has it's good and it's bad points. On the plus side it means that she doesn't 'let herself down' but on the negative side it means that she doesn't really have any aspirations to better herself. Have you told your son that he has aspergers? I found when I told Beth that she has autism it helped me to explain why she's different that other kids and why she has to be more aware of things such as traffic as she doesn't pay as much attention as others. I made this a really positive thing which seemed to help, focussing on all the things that make her unique and special to me. I guess the only suggestion I can make is to do a similar thing. Hone in on how well he tries at things, even rewarding the attempt rather than the end result. Praise him when he copes with disappointment well and even model it, making a mistake on purpose but saying "Never mind, I'll try again and maybe do better next time." Explain that each mistake teaches us something. I'm not sure what else to suggest. I hope it helps! hi Natalie. No, Beth doesn’t really have this problem, I think that’s the big difference between autism and aspergers, Beth doesn’t really have terribly high expectations of herself which has it’s good and it’s bad points. On the plus side it means that she doesn’t ‘let herself down’ but on the negative side it means that she doesn’t really have any aspirations to better herself.
Have you told your son that he has aspergers? I found when I told Beth that she has autism it helped me to explain why she’s different that other kids and why she has to be more aware of things such as traffic as she doesn’t pay as much attention as others. I made this a really positive thing which seemed to help, focussing on all the things that make her unique and special to me. I guess the only suggestion I can make is to do a similar thing. Hone in on how well he tries at things, even rewarding the attempt rather than the end result. Praise him when he copes with disappointment well and even model it, making a mistake on purpose but saying “Never mind, I’ll try again and maybe do better next time.” Explain that each mistake teaches us something. I’m not sure what else to suggest. I hope it helps!

]]> By: Natalie http://autisticchildren.com.au/386/its-my-birthday/comment-page-1/#comment-333 Natalie Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:37:29 +0000 http://autisticchildren.com.au/?p=386#comment-333 I know this isn't exactly a comment on your entry, but I was wondering if you had any advise. My son (turns 11 this year) has huge self esteem issues. He try's to do everything perfect, then gets really down on himself when he makes a mistake. It really effects him at school and he's learning the guitar and really struggles with that to. Do you have the same problems with Beth and if so, what do/have you done to help - apart from provide huge amounts reassurance? I know this isn’t exactly a comment on your entry, but I was wondering if you had any advise. My son (turns 11 this year) has huge self esteem issues. He try’s to do everything perfect, then gets really down on himself when he makes a mistake. It really effects him at school and he’s learning the guitar and really struggles with that to.

Do you have the same problems with Beth and if so, what do/have you done to help – apart from provide huge amounts reassurance?

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