I worry that they don't have the" street smarts" or an action plan of what to do when things aren't the " norm".

So I sat down with all my teens and we brainstormed about what could be done, how to rely on your " gut feeling "; how to listen to that little voice In your head  commonly known as your " conscience " . Lol  which with our Aspies took us on a whole new path ... So once back on track here are a few ideas that we came up with as well ideas from other individuals on the spectrum...

- Watch people's behavior patterns

- Look at what they want to know about you compared to how long you have - - known them( don't tell new people personal things about you)

- Always have your own rules as to acceptable public behavior ( stick to it)

- If you know it's wrong ... Don't do it ...Make an excuse and leave the situation

- Never go out at night alone

- Always keep your phone on you ( charged)

- Always call for Help if you feel unsafe ( parents would rather be mad and have you safe than Sad and have you dead)!

- Always tell that one person you trust ( whether its a parent or close friend of a long period of time) where you are going or if your not sure about something someone has asked you to do... (Second opinions save lives)

- Never take un-opened drinks from people you don't know

- Decide the maximum amount of money you are prepared to loose if you lend money to someone, never go above it no matter what they say

- If someone's actions, words and behavior towards you changes when around others.. This person  does not have your best interest at heart.

- people who care about you won't force you to do things for friendship

These are just to name a few... Brainstorming is a great way to get inside your teens head and allows us parents to see I they get or I they need us to point it out..

Watching the impact that our " Independent living program"  has had on yet another individual's life, self esteem and confidence.  Witnessing the progress of excepting changes,lowered anxiety, able  to effectively make appropriate desicions, as well as implementing changes as different scenarios arise.

 

Starting to take responsibility for the actions that are demonstrated as well as following through and completing tasks from beginning to end, without constant reminders on what should be done.

This individual has recently  completed several certified  skills to attract employment, utilising successful social interactions and practicing acquired tools and strategies.

Watching "The personal growth of this individual"  makes me realise how important our role is in presenting life through their view not ours.

Well done 

Realistically it is one of the greatest survival tools you can teach them, it incorporates personal  responsibility,decision  making as well as the art of reading situations and scenarios.

How I hear you ask?

Firstly at every opportunity engage your teen in " Brainstorming " discussions about what should and can be done in a range of hypothetical situations.

Instead of telling your teen what you want or expect them to do in any given situation, give them the opportunities to establish different possible outcomes and pathways.

Discussing how and why they came to reach those decisions, if the logic or processing doesn't seem to flow, encourage your teen at those junctions to stop and think what the next stage should come up with a minimum of two scenarios and identify and follow the path to the desired outcome.

This allows them to establish thought patterns, creating their personal tapes for similar scenarios that may arise or them in their futures.