Slashdot Mirror


Autism: Are Social Skills Groups and Social Communication Therapy Worthwhile?

vortex2.71 (802986) writes I imagine that enough of us on Slashdot are on the Autism Spectrum or were once diagnosed as having Aspergers that this might be the right venue for this question. My son is on the spectrum, but is in a mainstream classroom at a private school. We have spent thousands of dollars on a bunch of different social skills groups, speech communication therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. We've found that the specific skills and intuition that the therapists possess is much more important than their credentials and are frequently disappointed by the overwhelming mediocrity of special education teachers, speech therapists, and OT/PT therapists. We are at the point where we wonder if our time is better spent with playdates with peers that are facilitated by us than continuing with the groups. I'm curious if there are adult Slashdoters who are on the spectrum who participated in these therapies as children who can weigh in on this? What was your experience with social skills groups and social communication therapy? Did they help?

4 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Why stop human evolution?

    1. Re:Why? by Caesar+Tjalbo · · Score: -1, Troll

      Why stop human evolution?

      Because sometimes alpha is better than beta.

      --
      "I'm not much interested in interoperability. I want substitutability. I want to be able to throw your software out."
  2. Autism is a weak excuse for being a piece of shit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Quit making excuses for your lack of social skills, and quit expecting the world to adapt to you.

  3. Re:Aspergers, LOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Hello, Troll.