Any suggestions on how to teach an aspergers child empathy?

Question

I have a six year old son who was diagnosed with aspergers one year ago. He doesn't understand that sometimes when he says or does things it hurts people. I was just wondering what I can do as a parent to help him with empathy.

Answer 1

I dont think that you can teach them empathy. But good luck while you waste your time trying!

Answer 2

It's very hard.  Have you read "The Oasis Guide to Aspergers Syndrome"? It's a wonderful resource for parents of children with Aspergers.

The most common resource is working through scenarios with pictures that show facial expressions so that the child learns to read different expressions and figure out what they mean.  All you can really do is just work with pictures and study them.

I am 25 and I still struggle.  I tend to just avoid people, but that's not really the best approach.

Answer 3

it is very difficult. You will need to keep on reminding him and keep on reminding him. That is all you can do. I guess there are varying degrees of showing empathy.

You might be able to help him somewhat. Just keep on trying and don't be afraid to explain to him YET AGAIN.

Answer 4

i don't think you can.  My girlfriend knows a girl with aspergers, and she seriously has absolutely no empathy, and doesn't understand why she has no friends left.

Answer 5

for all the naysayers - not every child on the spectrum is the same.  my aspie daughter shows tons of empathy. some of it came natural and some of it taught.  

it's there  - you just have to help him find it.  

when he says something that is hurtful, use it to teach him why it's hurtful - use examples.  do his feelings get hurt when something negative is said to him? use it as a comparison.

good luck, and don't give up.

Answer 6

I taught a child in my class who had aspergers.  He was seven years old at the time and had a great deal of difficulty understanding anyone's point of view other than his own, and socializing with his peers...classic aspergers, and probably similar to your son.  The guidance counselor in my school used something called "Skills Streaming" when she came into our class every other week.  She gave me lessons to do during the weeks that she didn't come to class.  Basically we would break into small groups as a class and role-play different social situations with all of the students, then discuss the feelings that were involved in the situations.  The students were all involved, and the child who had aspergers was none-the-wiser that this was for his benefit.  It actually helped all the students work on getting along and I found it to be great for the class in general.

If it isn't an option at your child's school (and I would ask if the guidance counselor could get involved in some way), look into social situation acting using close friends and family to help.  It takes a lot of practice for kids who have aspergers to think outside of themselves, but it can be done, as long as it is repeated and consistent.  Good luck!

Answer 7

Your question is like asking me if as a diabetic you could teach me to process insulin better.  

It's somewhere between hugely difficult and impossible to teach them empathy.  Part of the disorder is that you don't understand social cues, and have few to no social skills.