Autism & Aspergers Syndrome

Facts & Statistics

How Can You Help?

If someone in your family or in your class at
school has Asperger Syndrome then you can help
by:
Being friendly
Helping them when they have trouble
understanding
Including them in your group, but not being
upset if they doesn't want to join in
Not bullying them or setting them up
Standing up for them if others are being
unkind

35 percent of young adults

(ages 19-23) with autism
have not had a job or
received postgraduate
education after leaving
high school.
More than 3.5 million
Americans live with an
autism spectrum disorder.
It costs more than $8,600
extra per year to educate a
student with autism. (The
average cost of educating
a student is about $12,000)

4 Great Tips For Parents

of Kids With Aspergers
Syndrome
#1

#2

#3

Teach the child some practical skills to integrate into social

settings. It may be helpful to practice introductory
conversational tactics, like asking if he or she can join in.
The child may benefit from practicing appropriate
openers such as Can you help me with this? or Can I
play too?
Encourage the child to look at what other children are
doing. Many successful adults with Aspergers
Syndrome report that they have learned social skills by
watching what others do in certain situations. Many
kids find it easy to copy what the other children are
doing, whether it is making eye contract with their
playmates, listening attentively, participating in a game,
or taking turns.

Teach the importance of eye contact. Kids

with Aspergers may resist making eye
contact with others. Eye contact is a skill that
can be modeled and practiced at home.

#4
Teach a safety phrase for kids to use when they are
confused or unsure. It can be a simple explanation such
as Im not sure what to do now or Im not sure what
you mean. Practicing this at home can reduce the
anxiety that kids may feel when they dont know what
is happening.