How to Teach Someone with Aspergers or Autism to Recognize Their Emotions

Those with Aspergers Syndrome (AS) or High Functioning Autism (HFA) often find the world of emotions to be overwhelming and puzzling. Individuals with Aspergers or Autism often have problems labeling their own emotions, or recognizing them all together. Often those with AS or HFA also do not understand the varying degrees within a single emotion, not comprehending the difference between a slight irritation and rage. They may also seem to show a complete lack of emotion, due to the fact that they don't understand how to express their emotions appropriately. My purpose for writing this article is to help those living with an individual who has Aspergers or Autism to begin to teach the individual tools for understanding and recognizing their emotions.

Emotions are not logical, and have no rules, no regulations. This is the reason those with AS or HFA find emotions so troubling, even frightening. They may go from being overjoyed to screaming and crying, because the feeling of joy frightened them.

Recognizing Happy Feelings:

A great way to start teaching someone with Aspergers or Autism how to recognize their emotions is to create a scrapbook containing photographs, mementos, diary entries, or other things that make him or her happy. Some examples are: Photos of friends and family, of a special event or birthday, song lyrics, favorite baseball cards, diary entries of a happy memory, or pictures from a favorite video game. Entries can be added to the book as time progresses.

Redirecting Negative Thoughts To Positive Thoughts:

Having lived with an Autistic child myself, I know how hard it can be to help him/her from a negative to a positive mood. A great first step is to discuss with the individual that the way many people deal with sad or negative thoughts or emotions is to think of something or someone who makes the happy.

Show him/her how to use the scrapbook you have created to redirect his/her thoughts when feeling sadness or depression. Make sure the scrapbook is available at all times. It may take some time to develop the habit of using the book to redirect his/her thoughts, and a lot of help on your part may be needed. Be sure to remind the individual to use the book when you notice he/she is feeling down.

Using Favorite Activities:

The amazing part about using the scrapbook is that just flipping through the pages can lead a person with Aspergers or Autism to an activity that they enjoy, and may create a positive experience. For example, when he/she is feeling stressed, and flips through the scrapbook, he/she is reminded of how happy he/she was when playing catch with dad. He/she may then ask dad to play a game of catch, lifting his/her mood and presenting a break from the stress.