Spectrum Teens and the Issues they face
Brief Biography
Stephanie C. Holmes, MA, BCCC is a professional counselor and certified autism specialist but her real credentials come from being the mother to an amazing Aspie teenage daughter. Stephanie's career focus changed when her eldest daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's in 2004. Stephanie counsels/consults/coaches Aspie- NT couples from all over the United States and can be contacted through www.counselorstephanieholmes.com.
Highest Degree of Presenter(s)
MA Counseling
Certified Autism Specialist
Presentation Abstract
Summary It is shocking to read that rates of suicide among Spectrum (Aspie) teens are on the rise! Why? There are many reasons. Adolescence is tumultuous for Neuro-Typical (NT) and Spectrum teens, but ASD teens face more than their NT peers. Bullying, rejection, lack of social skills, difficulty in school, feeling different, and clinical anxiety or depression spell disaster for someone who cannot always judge consequences of strong emotions and the actions that follow. We can paint a rosy picture that ASD kids turn out great and focus on the positive aspects, which we should for our children, but we cannot ignore how Aspies feel isolated at school and, sometimes, in their own families. Not all families with ASD teens have the resources to help them. HFA/Asperger’s is often diagnosed later in their lives and teens may feel awkward or like they are playing catch-up. Dr. Tony Attwood, world-renowned autism expert, said an Aspie can have a sudden depression attack that comes on like a panic attack and the warning signs are sometimes too little too late. We must address this crucial issue with suicide on the rise.
Recommended Citation
Holmes, Stephanie C., "Spectrum Teens and the Issues they face" (2015). Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. 26.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gapbs/2015/2015/26
Spectrum Teens and the Issues they face
Summary It is shocking to read that rates of suicide among Spectrum (Aspie) teens are on the rise! Why? There are many reasons. Adolescence is tumultuous for Neuro-Typical (NT) and Spectrum teens, but ASD teens face more than their NT peers. Bullying, rejection, lack of social skills, difficulty in school, feeling different, and clinical anxiety or depression spell disaster for someone who cannot always judge consequences of strong emotions and the actions that follow. We can paint a rosy picture that ASD kids turn out great and focus on the positive aspects, which we should for our children, but we cannot ignore how Aspies feel isolated at school and, sometimes, in their own families. Not all families with ASD teens have the resources to help them. HFA/Asperger’s is often diagnosed later in their lives and teens may feel awkward or like they are playing catch-up. Dr. Tony Attwood, world-renowned autism expert, said an Aspie can have a sudden depression attack that comes on like a panic attack and the warning signs are sometimes too little too late. We must address this crucial issue with suicide on the rise.
