6 Ways to Help Your Autistic Teen See Their Strengths

Autistic children deserve equal access to fair and effective teaching methods. One effective strategy is through strengths-based support.

Every autistic teen has unique strengths that can help them thrive in school, relationships, and daily life. A strengths-based approach to learning and personal growth allows them to build confidence while developing new skills.

As a parent, understanding and nurturing these strengths can make a world of difference. Here are six ways to highlight their strengths and empower them for the future.

1. Identify and cultivate passions

Autistic people have challenges with determining and understanding their own emotions. This is why the self-awareness process often comes later to them than it does for neurotypical individuals.

Remind and applaud your teen’s strengths. If they’re interested in a specific activity, acknowledge their ability to maintain focus.

Point out their honesty when they tell someone the truth. Catch them doing good and remind them how those traits are valued in the outside world. Soon enough, they’ll show appreciation for their unique characteristics.

2. Encourage independence

Transitioning from a teenager to a young adult can be challenging. It may start to feel like navigating through uncharted paths.

Autistic young adults are more likely to experience “failure to launch” syndrome. According to research, about 30 to 80 percent of adults with ASD still live with their parents.

To encourage independence, start with teaching foundational skills. Offer strengths-based support by identifying where your child excels and building from there.

For instance, if they love preparing meals, introduce more recipes to encourage healthy eating.

Life is full of unexpected changes, and dealing with these moments can be incredibly challenging for autistic people. You can role-play scenarios where a plan goes south and offer options to solve life obstacles, like being late for work.

Supporting your child’s interests can be tricky sometimes. While allowing them to hone their strengths is essential, providing small challenges to help them overcome discomfort or tolerate unfamiliar situations is also appropriate.

Finding the balance between honing interests and learning new skills is significant as they transition to adulthood.

For example, if your child doesn’t like doing laundry, you can start doing it together until they are comfortable with the activity. Remember to promote flexibility and give occasional praise for their effort.

3. Introduce new communities

Social situations can be challenging for autistic people. Your child may struggle with maintaining eye contact, understanding social cues, and recognizing sarcasm. Fortunately, there are many ways to hone their communication.

Consider introducing your young adult to people who share similar interests. Bonding over shared hobbies can make it easier for them to talk with someone outside your home.

You can also encourage them to join communities online or in person based on their passion. For instance, if they communicate well via chat, they opt for an online-based group so they feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.

4. Offer activities to calm anxiety

Around 40% of autistic children have an anxiety disorder, which can worsen ASD symptoms. Young adults should have the skills to cope with life’s challenges, which can be increasingly difficult if they have anxiety.

Helping them learn practical skills to manage their anxiety levels can help boost their confidence in their strengths. To achieve this, you can try the following strategies:

• Role-play: Practice interactions through role-playing exercises to help build confidence in real-life situations.
• Provide sensory activities: Create a sensory-friendly environment, including comfortable seating and zero distractions. Providing fidget and sensory toys can help improve self-regulation skills for managing behavior.
• Exercise: A simple physical activity, like a short walk, can help decrease anxiety.
• Create a vision board: Encourage your young adult to fill a board with photos illustrating their abilities. Cut out pictures from magazines and stick them on cardboard. Include affirmations, such as “I am brave” and “I am a great cook,” to help them face the day with fewer worries.

5. Provide opportunities for skill development

Enroll your child in classes to refine their strengths or learn new skills. For instance, drama classes allow them to interact with peers and lessen anxiety.

Role-playing activities will also enable them to learn expected and unexpected behavior in specific scenarios. For instance, if they’re having their first-ever job interview, role-play can help them practice for that event.

Another great way to cultivate efficiency is to take your child grocery shopping. Categorize your shopping list by product type, introduce them to different sections, and allow them to shop independently.

Add a new item to the list every time you shop to increase their familiarity with the grocery store.

6. Celebrate small victories

Your young adult’s wins come in all shapes and sizes, whether it’s a meltdown-free errand or learning how to ride public transportation. Acknowledging these victories encourages and motivates them to do it again.

Dance around, sing along, and prepare a delicious meal to let them know their progress greatly matters.

What is strengths-based support?

Strengths-based learning focuses on your autistic child’s strengths rather than their deficits to sharpen those skills. Its goal is to view autism as a neurological diversity rather than a disorder.

While observing your child, you’ll notice their strengths and interests. These may include heightened attention to detail, mathematical abilities, and character strengths such as loyalty.

Offering strengths-based support means honing these skills to allow their talents to shine through.

Help unlock your young adult’s potential

By embracing and cultivating your child’s strengths and new skills, you can confidently empower them to navigate adulthood. What works for others might not work for your young adult, so adjust strategies to fit their strengths and challenges.

FAQs

Q: What are my autistic child’s strengths?

A: Your autistic child’s strengths may include strong attention to detail, deep focus on special interests, creativity, and unique problem-solving skills. Many autistic children also excel in structured environments and have exceptional memory or pattern recognition abilities.

Q: How do you make an autistic child confident?

A: Boost your autistic child’s confidence by encouraging their strengths, providing predictable routines, and celebrating their achievements. Offering emotional support, clear communication, and opportunities for success in their areas of interest helps build self-esteem.

Q: What makes an autistic child happy?

A: An autistic child is often happiest when they feel understood, supported, and allowed to engage in their special interests. A comfortable environment with sensory-friendly spaces, predictable routines, and meaningful social interactions at their own pace contributes to their happiness.

The post 6 Ways to Help Your Autistic Teen See Their Strengths appeared first on Autism Parenting Magazine.

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