Tips for Aspergers
To begin, I will say something that everyone will say: "Issn't that very logical?" Yet it is not, as many people who are do this wrong. A person with an ASD disorder is just a person. Classical Autism and mental retardation do not always go together automatically! As long as you do not know if you must do anything different, treat the person with ASD, just as you treat everyone else. Don't speak overly childish or explain any simple action. Certainly not someone with Asperger's because these people often have a normal to high IQ. Nothing feels so denigrating and disparaging as that. When someone with an ASD disorder asks you to take notice of something or asks you to do something differently, just do it. But .... Do not overdo it!
Structure is very important for someone with Aspergers (also for someone with a different form of ASD). The smallest change in structure can lead to (a lot of) panic or anger. It is therefore a good idea to ensure that throughout the day there is structure. At school the teacher can, for example on the blackboard write down what will be done that day, and it will then keep that planning.
Be precise and specific in what you say. Do not twist around, but literally say what needs to be done. Someone with Asperger's has more when you say that at 14.00 hours something must be done then that this afternoon something should be done. Say things as they are, don't low them. Only when you say exactly what you mean you'll have the best chance that someone with Asperger's understands what you mean.
Be prepared to repeat what you explain several times. Try keeping the explanations as evenly as possible.
Children with Asperger's are sometimes alone by choice and not because his or her classmates do not involve him or her in the game. Try to understand and recognize what the difference is. When a child with Asperger's want to be alone, let him and do not compel him or her to play.
Do not automatically assume that someone with Asperger's who can tell what you said really understand what you said. He or she could be just parroting.
