Beyond the Spectrum

Adolescence is as much of a learning curve for teenagers as it is for parents.

Within a short period of time, you watch your child go through physical, mental, and behavioral changes—some welcomed, and others difficult to accept.

But like any other teenager, your child is figuring out who they are and trying to find their place in the world. What may look like defiant behavior could be a desperate plea for more privacy, respect, and a sense of control.

Early childhood development and learning disability expert Richard Bass brings another insightful book detailing the unique experiences of teenagers with ASD.

Inside Beyond the Spectrum: A Guide to Parenting Autistic Adolescents, he shows parents how to adjust their parenting styles to accommodate the changing needs of their teenage children.

Some of the valuable skills taught include:

• How to identify children's needs through behavioral changes like pulling away, questioning the rules, and unexplained mood swings.
• The difference between typical troublesome behavior and signs of co-occurring oppositional defiance disorder.
• Practical, at-home interventions, which parents can use to help their children manage school demands, cope with fears about the future, and cultivate a fulfilling social life.

This book also comes with 18 parent and teen exercises included at the end of each chapter, which promote continuous learning and seek to help both parties understand and respect each other's needs.

The truth is that ASD doesn't have to get in the way of parenting, and neither does puberty! Adolescence can be a deeply nourishing and positive transition, but only when parents and teens make the necessary adjustments in how they relate to one another.