Is therapy necessary for aspergers teens?

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Dmarcotte - thanks so much for your kind words -especially about not feeling guilty and having to realize it's a marathon, not a sprint. The advice on focusing on her anger and emotions is great - that seems like the best thing that would help us all right now. I have a telephone appointment next Monday with the local asd treatment centre and they are supposed to let me know what the next steps are. I guess since they are the experts, I will let them tell me what they think. I guess I really am in a rush to find the "magic" that will just help her sail through life. I hated most of my teen years and want to spare her and her sister the stuff I went through.

Your daughter might enjoy some of the resources found here: http://www.socialthinking.com/books-products. She was much younger than your daughter when she did this (only first grade), but when my daughter was first exposed to "You are a Social Detective" she brought the book with her to school and read it to her class. She loved the book and it was the first time she understood why she couldn't just tantrum and throw things when she lost at a game. In her mind, because she was not hurting anyone, she couldn't comprehend why it was an issue. THe book helped her understand that OTHER PEOPLE actually had a perception of this behavior. For my kids, Michelle has a way of breaking things down in a way that they can really comprehend.

In this together - I just checked out that link and what a great website! I saw they have a book geared for teens and even a boardgame. Learning through a game would be great because my daughter loves board games! I

It was recommended to me when DS8 was only 5, and at that time he was too young for most of it to apply to him. I need to get back to it and see if there are things he can use now, but I remember it seemed more for teens.

No pictures, each chapter was fairly short and self-contained, and addressed some particular issue. I think you will probably want to read a few yourself to determine if it's something you should hand to her.

The fact that someone thought it was appropriate to give your daughter that diagnosis suggests that she is having some social difficulties. It doesn't necessarily mean you need a lot of intensive treatment, but some extra attention to helping her social development along is a good idea. I think your social group is a great idea, and maybe just getting into a habit with her of checking in socially: did she have any issues at school this week? Any conflicts with peers? Confusing situations? She's hesitant to seek help, which is understandable, either she doesn't want to be perceived as weird, or she doesn't want to try something new. If the group, or therapy she receives does some good for her, her attitude may turn around quickly. She just needs to experience how useful it can be. I'd suggest giving anything 1-2 months before giving up on it, but if she still hates it, then reevaluate.

EmileMulder - yes I think you are right that if I put her in something and she finds it useful, then she may want to be in therapy. I guess the problem is so far she has been made to attend counselling because of behavioural issues, so she sees it as punishment. I may try a rec therapy program I heard about yesterday because if she gets to go do something fun and meet other aspies, then she may be less resistant.

That punishment issue can be tricky, and sometimes when a kid goes into therapy with that mind-set it can sabotage the therapy entirely. I think it's great that you are trying to understand this from her perspective. Hopefully that will help you explain to her that what you are trying to do is help her deal with her troubles at school and with peers, not punish her for a few mistakes.