We watch our children grow up and then one day they become a teenager. The teenage years can be tough on anyone, but especially tough for those on the autism spectrum. Structure and guidelines are important for people on the autism spectrum.
The typical teenager starts to take an interest in dating and driving. Then comes moving out, going to college and starting a career. However, the teenage years can be a little different for those on the autism spectrum. Every person on the autism spectrum is different. Some will need a little assistance, while others will need a highly structured lifestyle.
Our goal as parents has always been to make our children as self-sufficient as possible. This has been to move them toward their adult lives. The teenage years is the transition point from childhood to adult. This may be our last time to make a serious impact on our children’s lives and help them to have a successful future.
Boundaries are important to have when dealing with a teenager. You want them to be clear so they understand what they are. They should be fair and not too restrictive. The goal is to keep them out of trouble and to make sure that important things like school or work are not affected. Their grades and the knowledge they gain in school will set them up to find a good job. While most people don’t start off with a job they hope to have their career in, it is important to start off on a good foot so they can learn to be successful in the future.
The first half of the school year our son took all of his high school classes as a dual enrollment student and recently obtained his learner’s permit. We purchased him a new phone and added him to our plan. However with this new phone came with some rules. He was not to use the phone during class or after bedtime.
He also likes to play online games with his friends. We don’t limit this except that he knows that all of his schoolwork and chores need to be complete before he plays games and he needs to be ready for bed on time. This makes sure that his work will be finished and he won’t be tired at school.
Good boundaries set your child up for success and allow them to grow. Don’t be afraid to modify them if you feel that your child can handle more or to tighten them if necessary.
