Helping your child with autism build age-appropriate interests

Most typical children have a built-in motivation to find a social group and fit in. To do this successfully, they watch their peers and imitate their behavior. If the kids around them disdain Curious George and are now into Harry Potter, they will follow suit. Clothes chosen by Mom are replaced with cool clothes approved by peers. A typical 16-year-old would no more watch Thomas the Tank Engine than fly to the moon not necessarily because he doesn t LIKE Thomas, but because he would be scorned by his friends. This need to fit comes with great benefits and great challenges. A teen s desire to fit in can lead to successful socialization, and a good understanding of what it means to be an adult in our society. On the other hand, of course, it can lead to truancy, drugs, unsafe sex, and a whole raft of other issues . While some young people with autism really do share the need to fit in, however, most don t. The motivating force that drives other people to behave in age appropriate ways (
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