Ask someone with Asperger's syndrome.

[J a c k]

Any tips for a mom raising a child on the spectrum? He’s six and high functioning, selective mutism, and hates socializing. He receives therapy for learning to identify facial and body expression and for other social skills. He’s a very sweet kid at home and loves his cats.

Yes, about his selective mutism, give it time. If he's anything like me, he will decide on his own that he will start talking. In my case, I was selectively mute throughout my whole kindergarten years, but once I reached primary school, I just started talking to both students and teachers. I was probably waiting for a change in school environment before I could start implementing this social change. Regardless, just continue to be patient and whatever you do, don't force him to speak or let anyone shame him for being quiet (as that would likely backfire and make him not want to talk even more).

Also, when in doubt, just know ... he does enjoy your company, even if he may not show it and even if he does need a lot of space to be on his own. I know I loved having my mum come to my room and check up on how I was doing when I was a child. I wasn't really cold and distant as a child, just appeared to be so.

It's good he's receiving therapy for all that. Early intervention is always good. Wish I had that back in my days. But my parents were both blind apparently, and doctors back then didn't seem to have a clue.

As for bullying, don't catastrophize (expect worst case scenarios), but do be ready for cases if he does get bullied. Keep an eye out for typical signs of bullying, obviously. That way, if something bad is happening, you have noticed it, and will act accordingly. That said, I think the youngest generations of Aspies do have it better than people Rev and I did, because people have become really aware that this is a thing, and so are more likely to empathize and more likely to encourage their children to empathize. So hope for the best. And either way, you're there to back him up when needed.

Thank you so so so so much for this. He loves his space and I let him have it, but I do tell him how much I love him every time I check on him. Right now we live in a small studio, so when he needs to be alone, he closes the kitchen door and he sits on the floor under the table. I check up on him and remind him that I love him. It’s good to know I can keep doing that.
He didn’t used to be sweet, but after so much therapy, he has become very sweet with me. Just with me. He doesn’t seem to like a lot of people. He doesn’t socialize. He doesn’t play with other kids. Well, there’s one girl in school that he does feel comfortable with. He talks to her on the bus. She’s autistic and hard of hearing and they talk and also communicate with sign language. My son talks about her at home a lot. I wish his teachers could hear him talk. I’ll be patient Thank you for your feedback. This was so helpful. I always hear advice from teachers and therapists, but it’s good to hear it from someone who actually knows what it’s like by personal experience.