Social Support for Teens

Social Support for Teens

U.S. researchers analyzed national data on more than 11,000 teens enrolled in special education and found that among those with autism, 43 percent never see friends outside of school, 54 percent never get called by friends and about half are never invited to social activities.This new study reports having limited or no social contact can be damaging. However; their are always social programs that teens with autism can benefit from just by understanding how they communicate.

You can define what those behaviors are by asking your teen questions,taking your teen to relatives to visit that have other teens and are able to create a social environment that stimulates and promotes appropriate social activity. Role playing is a form of communication that can promote or increase transition into social activity and acceptance. I believe it is challenging but can be done. Teens that are on the outside looking in see teens with autism as different and mentally unaware of today's social trends. Their is always one or two people that are willing to step and practice patience by getting to know the individual and help the delayed or impaired take a visit to friendship lane.

Each and everyone of us are different and somehow we are reaching and extending to meet and help those that are different become special. 

History of The Word Autism

The Word Autism Spoke in 1911

The word autism dates back over 100 years. The word comes from "autos" meaning self. and the Greek suffix "ismos" which means action or state of being.The combined word "autism" translates into being  absorbed by oneself. Eugen Bleuler was the first person to use the term referring to schizophrenia back in 1911.  He was a Swiss psychiatrist .In the 1940's researchers begin to use the "autism" to describe

children with emotional and social problems and in 1943 Leo Kanner and John Hopkins translated the term "autism" into High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. By the 1960's the medical profession begin to have a different or separate understanding of children with autism and begin to define the symptoms. 

Autism spoke then and speaks now to several million families. It has been estimated that over 48 million people have some form of Autism. The difference for me is that it SPEAKS LOUDER which leads to more research, programs and treatments.The spectrum is diverse and so are the people who are affected by it. Together we can overcome and help create a level of understanding which will continue to educate NOW.

Addressing Special Needs Through A Special Blend of Services