Children with Asperger’s Disorder sometimes have a difficult time relating to peers due to their social awkwardness and narrow, often obsessive, interests. Especially during adolescence, these kids want to make friends and even date but they misinterpret important social cues. For example, they might speak too loudly or get too close, making other teens uncomfortable. They might talk incessantly about their peculiar hobbies, leaving peers perplexed at how to relate. They might have odd behaviors which tip-off classmates that something about them is unusual, yet it’s subtle enough that it doesn’t appear to be a disability. So peers think, “That … Continue reading →

Something mysterious was going on at Kyle’s school. Maybe. Or maybe not. Every time I asked him, “How was school today?” he would get a big grin on his face, blush, and cover his eyes. “I can’t see! I can’t see!” He’d say. This was his answer no matter what I asked about school. It was strange. I was curious, so I tried to probe further. “Kyle, who are your friends in class?” “I can’t see! I can’t see!” Although Kyle, who is fourteen, has autistic disorder, his language skills are strong enough to answer these questions. But he was … Continue reading →