How to Talk to a Child With Asperger's Syndrome

Though many children affected by Asperger's Syndrome are high-functioning and intelligent, they are often socially challenged. They frequently misread social cues, make inappropriate decisions and display sensitivity to light and sounds. These difficulties can make verbal participation problematic for both the child and others around him.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Educate yourself. Find out more about Asperger's Syndrome and related behaviors by asking the child's parents or doing some research on your own. Knowing ahead of time what to expect and how to interact appropriately will help you talk more effectively with the child.
2. Be sensitive. Children with Asperger's Syndrome may not want to look at you, be touched by you or even talk to you. If this is the case, be sensitive to the child and the ways in which she must cope in social situations.
3. Keep it simple. Children affected by Asperger's Syndrome, although smart, often have difficulties following verbal conversations and instructions. It's best to keep the dialogue free of jokes or riddles, at least at first. Give solid explanations by staying away from complicated vocabulary or implied meanings.
4. Pique the child's interest. Talk about something you know the child is very fond of in order to engage them in conversation. Children with Asperger's Syndrome tend to focus on a specific subject and may want to keep it the topic of discussion.
5. Be patient. Give the child enough time to use his auditory processing skills to respond to you. It may seem as if the child isn't listening to you, when he is actually still trying to process the information he's just heard or seen. Give the child the time he needs to respond appropriately.