Focus on Strengths Aids Autistic Teens Socially

Emerging research suggests that given the appropriate programming, autistic teens can improve their social skills during adolescence.
Most would agree that junior high and high school years are emotionally challenging for all teens, and, for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the time is often difficult. Deficits in social skills among teens with ASD may result in students being ostracized and bullied by their classmates.
Paradoxically, the new approach developed by researchers at the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara hinges on exploiting the unique strengths of teens with ASD – their high intelligence and very specific interests.