Asperger's Disorder: Tips for parents and teachers

• I am at risk for trouble with transitions and will do better if you help me create a routine.

• I can follow directions better if you tell me one at a time.

• I understand explanations and instructions better when they are short and simple.

• Sounds, lights, smells, textures and touch may upset me greatly, and I have to get away.

• I am not good at games or ball, and I may refuse to play because I am embarrassed.

• I do my best when the setting is quiet, calm, and not too stimulating.

• I respond well to visual cues (e.g., pointing to your ear for me to listen).

• I am slow to respond if you ask me a question so please give me time to answer.

• My brain does not work well if I am interrupted. I usually insist on starting all over again.

• Please do not insist that I look you in the eye. I am very uncomfortable with eye contact.

• When I lose control over my anger, please send me to my quiet place to calm down.

• I just can't ignore the teasing, so please help me find nice children to play with.

• I don't understand jokes or sarcasm so you might have to explain them to me.

• I follow instructions better when they are repeated several times.

• Even though nothing anyone does can cure me, I need your support every day all year long.

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Excerpted from The Asperger's Answer Book: The Top 300 Questions Parents Ask by Susan Ashley, Ph.D. Copyright 2007 by Susan Ashley. Excerpted with permission by Sourcebooks. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced without permission in writing from the publisher.